Gambling addiction today has become a real epidemic, and it is observed not only among children and adolescents, but also in adults. The average teenager spends up to six hours a day in front of a computer. Approximately 70 percent of children are addicted to “GameofWare” games – with violent and brutal stories. Murder in them is the main element and purpose of the game. Addicts begin to confuse real reality with virtual reality.
Such mania is considered a consequence of significant psychological pathologies. People use computer games to try to escape from life situations that worry them or to replace a certain missing element: the attention of loved ones, the absence of a loved one or social status.
Possible causes of game addiction are considered to be:
A variety of mental disorders (psychopathy).
Features of the human character, incompetence, shyness, often lead to the emergence of addictions of this kind.
Many people with the help of games realize their childhood fantasies and fears.
Communication deficit. Such a problem is very common among children and adolescents whose parents are constantly busy at work.
Intrafamily conflicts. Often, to avoid family scandals, people immerse themselves in an imaginary world, which only worsens the situation.
Social phobias, when a person is afraid of interpersonal relationships and real society. Computer games help him escape from real life, to feel significant and strong. The computer for him becomes an interlocutor and a friend.
Stages of Game Addiction
Game addiction does not occur overnight, in its development there are several stages, each of which is characterized by certain signs and changes in the behavior of the addict. Each stage is characterized by the acquisition of new pathological cravings.
The preparatory stage, In which an increase in susceptibility to games develops. Such personal qualities as low self-esteem, inability to control own emotions, lack of desire to accept criticism, aggression, impulsiveness and hyperactivity, increased anxiety level, depression and stress, propensity to plunge into the world of fantasies contribute to game addiction of adults and children. And it is not just computer games. This person has an irresistible desire to take risks and maintain their self-esteem. Gradually develops an unconscious craving for a certain type of game. If such a psychological condition is not noticed and not corrected, the disease moves to the next stage.
The winning stage, when the human mind forms the perception of the game as a way to realize itself, and sometimes to gain material benefit. The mind begins to become clouded, and even small winnings greatly spur interest. The illusion is created that the person himself creates his own destiny, with the opportunity to prove his superiority to others. At this stage, the person is unable to understand the consequences of his or her actions. Dissatisfaction and criticism from relatives can be perceived very negatively, as a desire to question the self-actualization and success of the player.
The losing stage, When gamblers find themselves in a vicious cycle of certain events. Their desire to gamble is not supported every time by the availability of material opportunities. They spend all the available funds and even tend to borrow money. After a string of losses for a while the desire to play disappears and there comes an imaginary understanding of their mistakes. However, in the presence of certain provoking factors (for example, advertising or the emergence of material opportunities) the person again gives in to his desire, and history repeats itself. The interval between the cycles is the shorter the more advanced the disease is. A difficult financial situation and constant losses increase the level of anxiety, and the player becomes embittered and irritable.
Despair stage.
Because of the systematic desire to play the person loses interest in everything else. Problems arise at school or at work, the circle of communication changes, the psychological state does not allow him to normally exist in the family. Relatives get tired of constant cheating, debts and negative attitudes and begin to withdraw gradually. The player often understands that the reason for everything is addiction, nevertheless, all attempts to control oneself do not bring a positive result. A depressed psychological state often leads to alcohol or drug abuse, which further exacerbates the disease. In such a state, people may break the law, sell their real estate and valuables, or take out loans. The only solution the person sees an opportunity to play more, to win once to solve their material and social problems.