Impact of Gaming Addiction on Mental Health

Close people and loved ones of those addicted to gambling often notice changes in their behavior. Some consider this to the consequences of addiction, while others believe that these two factors are not interrelated. Find out if gaming addiction affects a person’s psyche and what needs to be done to maintain sanity and avoid negative consequences.

Are games and psyche related?

If you ask the most ardent gamer whether games affect their mental health and whether their life has changed for the worse, they will probably immediately answer negatively. However, this is precisely the first sign that the influence exists. The inability to objectively assess the situation and conduct self-analysis is the first sign of psychological problems, but where does this connection come from?

Psychological difficulties in the past

It often happens that games are not the cause of mental issues, but vice versa. Specialists studying ludomania note that those who have faced the following in their youth or adolescence are more susceptible to unhealthy addiction:

• Humiliation or violence in the family
• Bullying at school
• Relationship problems

A person is a social creature. Therefore, if they cannot find a suitable place in normal society, they seek space for self-realization in other areas. One of these becomes the gambling business, which promises newcomers quick money, easy success, and respect from others.

Of course, such expectations of players do not come true, and this exacerbates problems with socialization, which affects self-esteem and relationships with people. So why don’t people stop playing? The second factor connecting the psyche and games becomes the one that is guilty of all this.

Euphoria – the enemy of sanity

When playing gambling games, a person is not only chasing money. Strong attraction arises because of the ’emotional swings’, especially during the period when the long-awaited victory follows the tormenting anticipation of the game’s outcome. Although it is often small and rare, this feeling of euphoria is particularly strongly. Striving to experience it again and again, the player does not stop either in victory or defeat.

Since addiction develops over time, the priorities of the addicted person change. The more they are attracted to games, the less joy they derive from achievements and activities in real life. As a result, the person believes that the only way to experience positive emotions is through gambling. Psychological addiction to this feeling compels them to continue, regardless of anything. The inability to objectively assess their mental state prevents the person from making efforts to stabilize it.

What are the consequences of gaming addiction?

Before discussing the consequences of excessive gaming, it is important to note that there are two types of addictions – gambling and video games. The reasons and characteristics of these passions differ, so the consequences should be considered separately.

Consequences of gambling addiction

Although gambling is often advertised as a safe and exciting hobby, it is actually a hook that firmly holds those who fall for it. A whole range of symptoms indicating mental disorders manifest in a player addicted to gambling. Here are just a few of them:

• 1. Mood swings. The addict may not even understand why their mood changes suddenly. However, this is directly related to gambling and the emotions on which they play. The effect is intensified during breaks between gaming sessions – this process resembles ‘withdrawal symptoms’ in ordinary chemical addiction.
• 2. Depression. This illness can manifest in a person regardless of whether they win or lose. Intensifying the effect can be a sense of worthlessness and a strong contrast between the euphoria of the game and the emotional shocks from deteriorating relationships with others. This encourages a man to dive deeper into the game, as he believes that everyone is to blame but not his addiction.
• 3. Aggressiveness. It manifests when loved ones interrupt them from playing or planning it, as well as in cases when things do not go as planned. Typically, the person does not control outbursts of anger and may not realize their actions.
• 4. Loss of self-control. The addict succumbs to their addiction. They begin to spend more and more time in the game and invest more and more money. A gambling addict sacrifices everything for gambling, often even work and relationships with others. They cannot stop even when personal funds run out, so they resort to loans or even illegal money-making.

It is important to note that there are not only dependent but also passionate players. They are distinguished by the fact that they treat games as entertainment, strictly control their time and expenses, and do not devote all their thoughts to gambling. However, even such players sometimes become addicted, so it is not surprising that in many countries, people with mental health difficulties are not allowed to participate in gambling.

Video game addiction: should we be concerned?

The situation with video games that do not have a gambling component is quite different. Both teenagers and adults often spend a lot of time playing video games, but their impact on a person differs from that of gambling games. Researchers at the University of Oxford, for example, believe that video games are incapable of causing mental problems. Moreover, many types of games develop memory, logical thinking, motor skills, reaction speed, and other qualities beneficial for everyday life.

However, the potential benefits of video games do not mean that they can be indulged in uncontrollably. People who spend too much time in front of the screen are susceptible to diseases caused by a sedentary lifestyle, problems in relationships with loved ones, and other difficulties. The conclusion of the analysis of video games is as follows: they do not pose a danger in themselves, but only if the player controls the time spent on them.

Why might a player lose control? Often, existing problems become the cause. In such cases, video games can certainly exacerbate the existing condition, so the attraction to video games should also be monitored.

How to prevent harm to mental health?

When it comes to video games, the recipe is simpler:

• Control the time spent playing
• Avoid prolonged sessions to prevent illnesses
• Exclude video games that cause excessive excitement or anger

Getting rid of addiction to gambling is more difficult. Important factors for successful combat include:

• Acknowledging one’s addiction and the need to fight it
• Limiting the time and money spent on games
• Replacing the addiction with other hobbies

Of course, with severe addiction, individual efforts may not be enough. In this situation, the IsraRehab clinic can help. Qualified specialists will help determine the underlying causes of addiction and develop a plan of action to overcome it. The rehabilitation center itself is located in the picturesque region of Israel, where it is easy to distract oneself from one’s difficulties and discover new hobbies and reasons for joy.