Although video gaming addictions are not clinically diagnosable, addictive behavior can be detected by a good psychologist. Most people think video gaming addiction is not bad, but the result of this kind of addiction can be hazardous. One factor that contributes to the addiction may be the promise of a reward at the end of each game or level.
If there is another type of addiction that is similar to this, it would be gambling addiction. Gambling addicts don't let up until they win something, just like a gamer won't let go of a game until he reaches the end. For gambling addicts, the reward is money or the potential of making money by using pure luck. It’s the old Pavlovian response system coming in. The addict wants more once he gets to the reward.
What are signs of addiction? It's simple, if a person cannot stay away from a game, he may be a gaming addict. When a person disregards real life and cares more about his game than anything else, he is an addict. The stories about gamers dying because of hunger and thirst are true. Insomnia and other sleep disorders may arise from this habit. One more thing that suffers is the connection that the gamer has with his family and friends. More often than not, the games take precedence over family or friendships. The stereotypical gaming addict usually has no friends.
Because most people are not threatened by gaming addicts, they feel no need to set up a rehabilitation center for these people. One way to beat this is to go on vacation, preferably in a place with not many electronics. The long break may change his perspective. A gaming addict may have become a burden to some people without realizing it, so he has to snap out of it fast.
In conclusion, video game addictions can happen to any gamers so you have to be aware of the dangers the addictions brings.
