FORTNITE VIDEO GAME ADDICTION
World Health Organization has officially classified VGA under the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11).
WHAT MAKES VIDEO GAMES ADDICTIVE?
Built to be addictive, video game designers make a game just challenging enough to keep people coming back for more but not so hard that the player eventually gives up. However, success for a gamer is often out of reach.
• It encourages online social interactions with other players which require great dedication and commitment to a team of fellow gamers.
• It frequently rewards the player for minimal effort in the early stages, and then gradually increases the amount of time and effort that is necessary to receive a reward.
By that time the player is already “hooked”.
WARNING SIGNS OF FORTNITE ADDICTION
• Negative impact on work performance, school achievement, and / or interpersonal relationships.
• Exchanging sport and fun activities for video games.
• Frequently playing video games up to six to eight hours non-stop.
• Loss of interest in social activities.
• Avoidance of personal responsibilities or commitments so that gaming can continue.
• Often staying up very late to play video games.
• Avoid sleeping or eating proper meals.
PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS OF VIDEO GAME ADDICTION
• Hunger and fatigue due to missing meals and exchanging healthy food with quick snacks.
• Diet-related health issues due to frequent snacking so that gaming can continue rather.
• Sleep disorders due to late night gaming sessions.
• Migraines due to intense concentration.
• Eye strain.
• Carpal tunnel syndrome caused by the overuse of a controller or computer mouse.
• Poor personal hygiene.
• Loss of muscles due to very little physical activity.
SYMPTOMS OF VIDEO GAME ADDICTION
Emotional signs
• Feelings of agitation and/or irritability when unable to play.
• Verbal aggressiveness when distracted from gaming.
• Preoccupation with thoughts of previous online activity or anticipation of the next online session.
• Lying to family members regarding the amount of time spent playing.
• Isolation from others in order to spend more time gaming.
• Greater risk for depression, loneliness, social anxiety, anger.
• Feelings of embarrassment for spending so much time playing games.
Financial Problems
• Financial difficulties can occur when the person loses the motivation to work (a frequent occurrence).
• Spending large sums of money on new computer equipment, consoles, subscription fees, and of course, new video games.
• Video games and video game equipment can be very expensive, especially when factoring in recurring costs such as the high-speed Internet connection required for online multiplayer games.
• These games can also be very time-consuming, leaving addicted gamers with less time to focus on their education or career.
Family Problems
• Family problems may be the most common difficulty for those who are addicted to video games. Although poor family relationships may increase the likelihood of video game addiction, video game addiction often leads to family conflict.
• Someone addicted to video games may accuse concerned family members of trying to interfere in his or her life, may be verbally or physically. Gamers can be extremely aggressive when others attempt to limit game play, and may try to hide just how much he/she plays.
• When reaching the level of verbal or physical aggression, the gamer has reached already the ultimate point of addiction where he or she needs serious help and intervention.
• Parents with children or teens addicted to video games may disagree about how much of a problem it is or how to intervene.
TREATMENT
Treatment involves a technology detox through confiscating the device combined with healthy eating, sleep and group therapy.
Parents should set reasonable boundaries around internet usage and the time spent on gaming.
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