Video Game Addiction?

[Zamomin]

Hi guys!

I wouldn't call myself a video game addict (although it wouldn't be too far off to call me an internet addict), but I thought that I'd share the following experience.
I'm currently studying Psychology and hope to become a therapist one day. A couple of weeks ago I had one week left until an important test and, unfortunately, I fell into a figurative hole. For something like 5 days in a row I didn't study at all and only did the most basic chores.
The worst was when I played Minecraft for two days until early in the morning. I just sat in front of the computer and listened to podcasts while I was mining, building, etc. in the game. I only got up for going to the bathroom and getting something to eat (and only if I couldn't ignore my desire to urinate/eat anymore).
I'm a bit shocked that I'm even capable of letting myself go so much. I don't know if playing a video game for an entire day is that bad in of itself, as long as it is intended beforehand and doesn't become a regular occurance. But the bad thing in my particular situation was that I had far more important stuff to do - namely studying for said test.
Before this event I didn't even think that playing Minecraft solo would be all that interesting. I thought that it would get boring really quickly and that the real joy in that game is building a world together with your friends (which I had done in the past). However, it seems to me now that it's very easy to spend way too much time playing this game (or maybe even becoming addicted to it), because it gives you the feeling that you have accomplished something. Mining is an especially "dangerous" in that way, because you can just switch your brain off, destroy one block after another and get a dose of dompamine when you discover diamonds.
I've now built a gigantic tree farm in my world and it's pretty cool to look at. And if I would have built it over a couple of weeks, playing the game during the evening after I've finished all my chores, I think I wouldn't have any bad feelings about it. But I kind of hate myself for the way that it actually came about...

So that's my experience, for all that it's worth.
Cheers!

[FrecklesMcGee]

I have parents who are gaming addicts. I know this is a real issue and it is so under addressed in our society. My parents can play all day and only stop to eat and pee. If we call when they're playing, we can tell because they are completely distracted. Sometimes they won't answer questions that I'm asking them and instead they start talking about what their game characters are up to. Like I give a shit. It's extremely frustrating and makes me feel like I don't matter as much as the computer. It's hard to swallow that last sentence but that's how it makes me feel and it's been this way for at least 20 years. My parents were gaming before gaming was a thing. My dad works in IT so he always brought home the latest and greatest toys and off they went, disappearing into their wonderland. In my opinion, they game because they are avoiding deeper issues. I'm not saying this is why everyone games, but I know them very well and I think that's what they are doing. My dad has always had an addict brain - formerly alcohol, now games. My stepmom has severe social anxiety and gaming allows her to avoid real human interaction. It lulls them into a state of excited, fun energy. And because they play together, they provide each other with mutual reassurance that it is okay and even normal. I used to tell them my frustrations but it didn't seem to matter. Now it just creates a big gap in my ability to relate to them.

I applaud anyone who is seeking help for any addiction, and especially this one because it is so close to my heart. It really does affect those around you. I hope this addiction starts to get more attention publicly and people recognize it for what it really is.