Compulsive Video Gaming and Technology Use

How much screen time does your family have?  How much is too much and how would you know when it was a problem?

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Keeping children and adolescents’ use of technology safe is a 21st century requirement of parenting.  That is because it is a new developmental task for families, children and teens – to interface with technology in safe, healthy ways. 

Phoenix Process Consultants works with families to create a customized process to assist them in protecting children from the dangers of unsafe technology use – including: compulsive gaming; cell phone and texting; Internet; social networking; and online video communication – while empowering them to make healthy decisions about being a technology consumer.

The process assesses individuals and families to identify specific symptoms and underlying causes of behaviors.  The process also guides families in their development of family specific boundaries and limits that promote their children’s safe use of technology.  The goal of this process is to help children become functional in a technology-based society. 

Phoenix Process Consultants also uses this process to work with adults with issues related to compulsive technology and gaming use.  Nearly half of all problem gamers are between the ages of 20-44 years. 

Continuum of Gaming use:

 0. Abstinent or “not-a-Gamer” – individual does not play video games

 1. Recreational Gamer – individual plays games with friends and family occasionally

 2. Regular Gamer – has developed a pattern of regular use but does so within well defined limits of             time and financial investment.

 3. Binge Gamer – will experience “Time Warp” gaming for hours or perhaps days at a time but will               be able to go days, weeks or even months without gaming.

 4. Compulsive Gamer – has uncontrollable urge to game, discuss gaming, and spend money on                games despite adverse negative social, financial, occupational/academic, and familial consequences.
     Basically this person will, eat sleep and breathe gaming.

Treatment for Compulsive Gaming

The goal of therapy for compulsive gaming is to help clients to have a safe and healthy relationship with technology and to lead active lives in the family, workplace, school and community. Treatment for compulsive gaming is not “one size fits all.” Treatment is customized for each individual based on thorough assessments.

How much is too much gaming?

Gaming becomes a problem when individuals begin avoiding family and friends, lose interest in activities previously enjoyed, give up on pursing hopes and dreams and performance in school/work deteriorates. At the most insidious levels, healthy sleeping and eating patterns are sacrificed. Many of these symptoms become apparent when a person meets the criteria for the Binge Gamer, but can also occur when an individual meets the criteria for Regular Gamer. Assessing the level of gaming on the continuum is in an important aspect of creating the appropriate treatment plan.

How does Therapy meet the needs of each client?

No single therapy is right for everyone. The best therapy addresses a person’s various needs, not just his or her gaming. Matching a treatment plan and services to a person’s unique level of need is a key to his or her ultimate success to having a productive, healthy and fulfilling life. It is important for the treatment approach to be broad in scope, taking into account a person’s age and stage of development, gender, ethnicity, and culture. The severity of the compulsive behavior and previous efforts to stop gaming can also influence the therapeutic approach.

Therapy may provide a combination of therapies and other services to meet a client’s needs. In addition to treatment for gaming, a client may require other medical services, family therapy, parenting support, job training/academic assistance, and social skill building.

Finally, because compulsive gaming often occurs with other mental and relational health issues and concerns, a client being assessed for compulsive gaming will also be assessed for the other mental and relational health issues and concerns. Treatment addresses all conditions.

Common co-occurring conditions are:

  • ADHD
  • Asperger’s
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Substance abuse
  • Academic problems/learning disabilities
  • Family issues/concerns

The following are some typical symptoms of compulsive gaming:

  • A change in sleeping patterns.  Not sleeping at night.  Tired during the day.
  • Withdrawing from family and/or friends.
  • Being defensive or lying about gaming or technology activities.
  • Losing interest in activities that she/he previously enjoyed.
  • Physical ailments, such as backaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, stiff neck, nerve pain/tingling in arms or fingers, eye fatigue.

Phoenix Process Consultants is equipped to help families and communities with prevention and early intervention for compulsive gaming technology use.  For more information about compulsive gaming and technology use, please contact us.