Internet Gaming Disorder: The New Behavioral Addiction

Internet Gaming Disorder, also known as online gaming addiction, has become a new behavioral addiction among the younger generation.

Talking to IANS, Prof. Kumar, HoD of psychiatry said that such behavioral addiction involves a compulsion to engage in a non-substance-related behavior despite any negative consequences to the person’s physical, mental, social or financial well-being.

Internet Addiction Disorder / Problematic Internet Use-Causes-Symptoms-Treatment
Internet addiction disorder is of 3 types, excessive gaming, sexual preoccupations and email / text messaging.

‘Internet gaming disorder has been included in the 5th edition of The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM5).’

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"There is hardly any difference between gaming addiction and alcohol addiction. It gives a similar kind of kick and later develops into a serious addiction."

According to a study published in the Indian Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health 2020, about 3.5% of Indian adolescents suffer from Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD). The rate is 0.5% higher than the global average.

Indian studies show that 8% of boys and 3% of girls fall in the IGD bracket. Experts blame extended screen time for this disorder.

Online Gaming Addiction

"Nearly 41% of India’s populations are below 20 years of age, which means that online gaming has a vast market before them. The main target of this addiction is the child of the 5 to 18 years of age bracket. As brains remain underdeveloped at this stage, they easily become prey to this gaming addiction," Kumar said.

Quiz on Addiction
Addiction is a condition that involves a compulsive engagement in a particular stimulus that gives pleasure, despite being aware of its possible adverse effects. The stimulus that the person is addictive generally activates the brain’s reward pathways and is perceived as pleasurable and desirable. This makes the person seek repeated exposure to the stimulus and eventually become dependent on the stimulus, physically and psychologically.

At this stage of the immature brain, they want immediate enjoyment, which turns into an addiction.

However, these are productive years that go in vain with Internet games, causing long-term damages to this generation that results in family conflict, criminal tendencies, and others at a later stage of life, Prof. Kumar said.

Test your Knowledge on Exercise Addiction
Exercise addiction, or exercise dependence, is a compulsive habit of engaging in an extreme physical activity performed beyond the required level of fitness. Exercise addicts may start physical activity for weight control and falsely believe that more exercise leads to faster results.

Kumar blames the Covid-19 pandemic for the rise in such disorder to some extent, saying that the health crisis has changed people’s lifestyles.

Everything is now available online, which has brought everyone to the mobile resulting in excess screen time and addiction to the device.

Gaming Addiction Just as Bad as Booze and Drugs
Computer games can be as costly and debilitating as drug and alcohol dependence.

"At the brain level, addiction is similar to a chemical mechanism," said Nimesh G. Desai, former director of the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS).

However, he added that not all users are addicted.

Terming it double-edged swords, he said that technological advancements are both useful and harmful if we use them cautiously.

"According to a WHO report, addiction to online games is equal to substances like cocaine, drugs and gambling. This is a temporary psychotic stage in which the gamer forgets about the conscience and follows the instructions," said Shamsi Akbar, former research officer, Department of Geriatric Mental Health, King George’s Medical University, Uttar Pradesh, India.

She added that the gamers are trapped in a situation called ’Passivity Phenomena’ where an external force is controlling them and when someone stops them from playing the game they become aggressive.

Source-IANS