Post by FlameMaster5 on Jan 10, 2024 23:43:59 GMT -5
I added this project here just because it took a lot of time, energy, research...
And I'm rather proud of it. So I'll leave this here.
Psychiatry.org Quote:
The World Health Organization has included Internet Gaming Disorder in the 11th Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11)(2). It is defined in ICD-11 as “a pattern of gaming behavior ('digital gaming or 'video gaming') characterized by impaired control over gaming, increasing priority given to gaming over other activities to the extent that gaming takes precedence over other interests and daily activities, and continuation or escalation of gaming despite the occurrence of negative consequences."
So? What did we learn? XD
Yeah. Internet Gaming Disorder - it's a real thing, and it's being officially added to the DSM-5 as an addiction/mental disorder!
Dopamine - a compound present in the body as a neurotransmitter and a precursor of other substances including epinephrine, ie adrenaline. And your brain releases a TON of dopamine when playing video games.
This can cause addiction over long-term, and signs of said addiction were as follows:
Compulsion Loop - Dopamine, Rewards. The loop continues and you build a tolerance. The real world and activities begin to bore you, and soon you drop into depression while STILL obsessing over gaming.
Social Connection - Social interaction in multi-player games with players worldwide stimulates the need/drive to continue engaging this way, but you begin to isolate yourself from real-world relationships.
Escapism - From Stress, Assume New Identities, Sense of Accomplishment. The video games give you something deeper you feel you need to be filled, and it's easier to play than to face challenges.
As you can see... It makes sense how work, school, exercise, or even other activities can take a backseat to the dopamine rush of video gaming. In excess, these games can take hold of you, changing the very chemistry of your brain as you'll need more and more dopamine to get the same 'yay' feeling. It's just the same as what happens when you use tobacco, drugs, and alcohol - except, it's stronger and far more accessible, and usually found pretty acceptable among households.
"But Bree, don't YOU like gaming? Like, aren't you the admin and making reviews on games we should play??"
Why yes, you'd be correct!
And as an avid fan and maybe even a little bit of an addictee(after watching these
) of video games, it's still important to educate others about their effects and the responsibilities we must take to ensure balance.
"Responsibilities?"
Oh, oh yes. Because remember...
Somebody made a choice here. Sometimes two somebodies for that matter.
The one that picked up the controller and the one that supplied it!
Let's start with the parent(s) here.
In that severe case of video game addiction, we had a pretty clear view of parents who continued to allow that kind of behavior in their 14-year-old child. To even allow it to get to that point was absurd! I've played video games since I was 4yrs and I never came close to acting the way that kid did.
So why? What was the difference?
Well firstly, as young children we played on the only TV that existed and it was in the living room. That meant a). we were being monitored on what content we played, b). we were being interacted with or even joined by a parent and c). that meant our time playing was limited because soon we'd go somewhere, have dinner, watch TV programs, or do other activities like school or bedtime. My sister and I always played together as well, even if one of us was playing a single-player game the other was in attendance and oversaw the story/gameplay.
We had real interaction and bonding over our games, it wasn't an isolated experience 95% of the time!
When I see videos like these with parents and kids so far apart, so distant that gaming has taken over the life of the youth here... Some big blame rests with the parents.
There were no boundaries or limits set early, there was no engagement with their kids while they played, and there was no joint enjoyment of this same hobby.
Too many parents today just buy their kids games, leave them to it in their rooms alone, and then get mad at the kids when they don't wanna come out and socialize with 'the people that don't understand at all what they've experienced'. Because it's true - most parents do NOT know what their kids are playing, even though they supplied it!
So, if you're a parent reading right now... I challenge you. I challenge you to play the game your kids are playing. Really. I don't care if it doesn't look like something you'd be interested in because I tell you right now, it matters! Go in without judgment, see for yourself, and just experience something they have will help bridge the gap between you. Talk about it - your likes, your dislikes, share! I guarantee it will help so much.
Now... Onto all individuals who pick up the controller a lot.
In kids/teens, we already know how susceptible they can be to video game addiction, as their brains need time to develop more complex functions. So when all that dopamine is suddenly interrupted by the mention of homework, chores, dinner...anything really, we can see some pretty ugly behavior come out of them. That's because that roller-coaster drop in dopamine creates irritation, anxiety, and feelings of hopelessness or loss. Like, seriously, get ready for a MELTDOWN of gargantuan proportions if someone is truly addicted because you just 'ruined their life'. In kids/teens, we probably see this more often, but it can come out of adults too.
Those playing video games need to be aware of the signs above if their sessions have become longer and more frequent. Educate yourselves on what is happening to your mind, set your own time limits, and make gaming more of a group activity if you're more prone to addiction. And if there's someone you know having problems, then they may need help to take that step to ending their addiction or finding a happy balance in their lives.
"You make it sound like they need therapy..."
They might! Remember that part about Escapism?
Not all forms of escapism are bad, of course, but what if it becomes just a means to RUN from something?
If video games become the sole source for someone to avoid or run away from life issues, diving into an alternate reality to escape at every turn, then there's a very serious problem with this.
And it's not the games themselves. It's the underlying issues.
Is a kid/teen trying to get away from parents screaming at each other? Is there abuse involved?
Is there a kid being bullied at school? Maybe they're failing in classes?
Is an adult struggling financially for a long time and just can't see the light at the end of the tunnel?
Has someone experienced loss? Are they lonely?
Do they have another mental disorder or are they on the spectrum?
Does this person have God in their life to help them through the hard times??
These are good questions to ask and to be aware of, and they are real reasons why someone might delve too deeply into gaming where it becomes an addiction, where they feel 'safe' and 'hidden away from society'. If this is the case, then absolutely counseling and therapy will be needed to help them through these problems so that they don't feel like they depend on their gaming or any other addiction.
"So as Christians... Should we just not play video games then?"
Well, there's one more video to show. Take a look!
It's just as Impact said. Although gaming can lead to addiction and can cause someone to sin, they can also be a blessing and you can give your game time to God. The word here is CAN, not will.
Take responsibility for your actions. Look at your choices and what you decide to do with your time.
Don't let video games become a problem and they can be a wonderful thing!
Well now, I'm feeling productive!
If any of this has been helpful, I'm glad. :3
Have a nice day, everybody!
And I'm rather proud of it. So I'll leave this here.
Psychiatry.org Quote:
The World Health Organization has included Internet Gaming Disorder in the 11th Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11)(2). It is defined in ICD-11 as “a pattern of gaming behavior ('digital gaming or 'video gaming') characterized by impaired control over gaming, increasing priority given to gaming over other activities to the extent that gaming takes precedence over other interests and daily activities, and continuation or escalation of gaming despite the occurrence of negative consequences."
So? What did we learn? XD
Yeah. Internet Gaming Disorder - it's a real thing, and it's being officially added to the DSM-5 as an addiction/mental disorder!
Buuuut let's talk a little about what we've learned and seen so far.
There's a whole lot going on!
Dopamine - a compound present in the body as a neurotransmitter and a precursor of other substances including epinephrine, ie adrenaline. And your brain releases a TON of dopamine when playing video games.
This can cause addiction over long-term, and signs of said addiction were as follows:
Compulsion Loop - Dopamine, Rewards. The loop continues and you build a tolerance. The real world and activities begin to bore you, and soon you drop into depression while STILL obsessing over gaming.
Social Connection - Social interaction in multi-player games with players worldwide stimulates the need/drive to continue engaging this way, but you begin to isolate yourself from real-world relationships.
Escapism - From Stress, Assume New Identities, Sense of Accomplishment. The video games give you something deeper you feel you need to be filled, and it's easier to play than to face challenges.
As you can see... It makes sense how work, school, exercise, or even other activities can take a backseat to the dopamine rush of video gaming. In excess, these games can take hold of you, changing the very chemistry of your brain as you'll need more and more dopamine to get the same 'yay' feeling. It's just the same as what happens when you use tobacco, drugs, and alcohol - except, it's stronger and far more accessible, and usually found pretty acceptable among households.
"But Bree, don't YOU like gaming? Like, aren't you the admin and making reviews on games we should play??"
Why yes, you'd be correct!
And as an avid fan and maybe even a little bit of an addictee(after watching these
) of video games, it's still important to educate others about their effects and the responsibilities we must take to ensure balance. "Responsibilities?"
Oh, oh yes. Because remember...
Somebody made a choice here. Sometimes two somebodies for that matter.
The one that picked up the controller and the one that supplied it!
Let's start with the parent(s) here.
In that severe case of video game addiction, we had a pretty clear view of parents who continued to allow that kind of behavior in their 14-year-old child. To even allow it to get to that point was absurd! I've played video games since I was 4yrs and I never came close to acting the way that kid did.
So why? What was the difference?
Well firstly, as young children we played on the only TV that existed and it was in the living room. That meant a). we were being monitored on what content we played, b). we were being interacted with or even joined by a parent and c). that meant our time playing was limited because soon we'd go somewhere, have dinner, watch TV programs, or do other activities like school or bedtime. My sister and I always played together as well, even if one of us was playing a single-player game the other was in attendance and oversaw the story/gameplay.
We had real interaction and bonding over our games, it wasn't an isolated experience 95% of the time!
When I see videos like these with parents and kids so far apart, so distant that gaming has taken over the life of the youth here... Some big blame rests with the parents.
There were no boundaries or limits set early, there was no engagement with their kids while they played, and there was no joint enjoyment of this same hobby.
Too many parents today just buy their kids games, leave them to it in their rooms alone, and then get mad at the kids when they don't wanna come out and socialize with 'the people that don't understand at all what they've experienced'. Because it's true - most parents do NOT know what their kids are playing, even though they supplied it!
So, if you're a parent reading right now... I challenge you. I challenge you to play the game your kids are playing. Really. I don't care if it doesn't look like something you'd be interested in because I tell you right now, it matters! Go in without judgment, see for yourself, and just experience something they have will help bridge the gap between you. Talk about it - your likes, your dislikes, share! I guarantee it will help so much.
Now... Onto all individuals who pick up the controller a lot.
In kids/teens, we already know how susceptible they can be to video game addiction, as their brains need time to develop more complex functions. So when all that dopamine is suddenly interrupted by the mention of homework, chores, dinner...anything really, we can see some pretty ugly behavior come out of them. That's because that roller-coaster drop in dopamine creates irritation, anxiety, and feelings of hopelessness or loss. Like, seriously, get ready for a MELTDOWN of gargantuan proportions if someone is truly addicted because you just 'ruined their life'. In kids/teens, we probably see this more often, but it can come out of adults too.
Those playing video games need to be aware of the signs above if their sessions have become longer and more frequent. Educate yourselves on what is happening to your mind, set your own time limits, and make gaming more of a group activity if you're more prone to addiction. And if there's someone you know having problems, then they may need help to take that step to ending their addiction or finding a happy balance in their lives.
"You make it sound like they need therapy..."
They might! Remember that part about Escapism?
Not all forms of escapism are bad, of course, but what if it becomes just a means to RUN from something?
If video games become the sole source for someone to avoid or run away from life issues, diving into an alternate reality to escape at every turn, then there's a very serious problem with this.
And it's not the games themselves. It's the underlying issues.
Is a kid/teen trying to get away from parents screaming at each other? Is there abuse involved?
Is there a kid being bullied at school? Maybe they're failing in classes?
Is an adult struggling financially for a long time and just can't see the light at the end of the tunnel?
Has someone experienced loss? Are they lonely?
Do they have another mental disorder or are they on the spectrum?
Does this person have God in their life to help them through the hard times??
These are good questions to ask and to be aware of, and they are real reasons why someone might delve too deeply into gaming where it becomes an addiction, where they feel 'safe' and 'hidden away from society'. If this is the case, then absolutely counseling and therapy will be needed to help them through these problems so that they don't feel like they depend on their gaming or any other addiction.
"So as Christians... Should we just not play video games then?"
Well, there's one more video to show. Take a look!
It's just as Impact said. Although gaming can lead to addiction and can cause someone to sin, they can also be a blessing and you can give your game time to God. The word here is CAN, not will.
Take responsibility for your actions. Look at your choices and what you decide to do with your time.
Don't let video games become a problem and they can be a wonderful thing!
Well now, I'm feeling productive!
If any of this has been helpful, I'm glad. :3
Have a nice day, everybody!
