Are you a video game addict?
Do you find yourself lounging in your comfortable chair and playing your favorite video game for hours? But you think it’s actually not that bad, as long as your Human Paladin levels up. Then you realize you haven’t showered in days and your clothes start to stink. But then again, you think that an Orc Berserker smells worse than you. Then you took a quick look at your notebook and realized how messy and literal it had been. Once again, you shrugged your shoulders and thought that there may still be worse places like the dreaded Frozen Undead Realms. Finally, your friends left you for not spending time with them. With this height of annoyance, you proudly shout, “I don’t need friends, I have my legions of the undead!”
Sure, this could be an exaggerated sign of video game addiction, but sadly some video game addicts exhibit such overreactions, to some extent, that some commit suicide when something adverse happens to their game.
Video game addiction is simply defined as excessive or compulsive use of computers and video games that interferes with daily life. Despite displaying symptoms that are characteristic of other addictions, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) has not given a diagnostic status to video game addiction. These behaviors include non-stop play, difficulties at work and school, lying to loved ones, less attention to personal hygiene, less attention to family and friends, and disturbances in the sleep cycle.
But hey, let’s hope. Having a video game addiction doesn’t mean it’s the end of the world. There is still a way out, but it would take a great deal of work and willpower.
Steps to “cure” video game addiction
Since there is no formal diagnosis for video game addiction, there is still no approved therapy or method to cure video game addiction. But there are a few ways that a video game addict can help alleviate video game addiction. Here are some of those suggested means:
Limit your PLAY TIME.
Set a specific time and duration to play on your game system. Limit your playing time to a maximum of 1-2 hours per day. It will be difficult at first, but when your body has adjusted, it will be as easy as a normal daily activity. Otherwise, if you adapt too easily, try to think of your play time as a reward for doing your other activities.
Be sure to tell your friends, parents, or siblings about your plan to limit your gaming time. Give them a specific time of play time you have in mind. That way, they can easily keep tabs on you and monitor if you’re following their desired gaming schedules.
Limiting gaming time not only frees up a lot of time for other activities besides gaming, but also slowly corrects your body clock (which is in tune with gaming over a long period of hours).
Dispose of your GAMING MACHINES.
If you are really so determined to cure your addiction to video games and would do anything to accomplish such a feat, then there is only one thing to do: get rid of your GAMING MACHINES. These gaming machines can range from video game consoles, mobile gaming machines, PCs, among others. But whatever, if you’ve really decided to get rid of them, do it ASAP so you’re not tempted to use them.
You can sell these game consoles for a price at your local stores or to your friends who have been eyeing them for a long time. You can try hiding it in the attic or some place that you can’t easily access. You can also try giving it as a gift to your friends or family, such as your nieces and nephews. If you are going to give it as a gift, try to give it to someone who is far from you.
Dispose of only gaming machines that you own. Ask or explain to your parents and friends that you are throwing away your gaming machines and have started to turn the page.
Try other activities.
Whether you try the first or second suggestion, you’ll notice that you’ll now have a vacuum of activity with the result of limiting your play time or getting rid of your game consoles. Lots of free time to try new activities like the ones above:
Study – Now you have enough time to catch up on your bad grades and neglected studies. You can start reviewing your notes or preparing for your big quizzes and tests. Start opening those school books and don’t let the bookworms get the most out of it. A good education is better than a good game.
Read – As long as it’s not an FAQ or a strategy guide for your favorite game, reading could be another great and fun way to follow. Try to read the latest news in the newspaper; You will be surprised how many events you have missed. You can also try reading books in the library, you might know more about the Greek gods than the game narrator on your game console.
hang out – Go out with your friends and family. I guess it’s about time you patched up with them after a long time of isolating yourself with your game console. Get involved and chat with them, ask how they’ve been and what they’re doing now. Finally, be humble enough to apologize for taking them for granted.
No matter what the tips or methods are to mount or cure video game addiction, it will never work unless the person is dedicated to changing themselves. DEDICATION and MOTIVATION are the key for these proposals to be successful.
As a saying goes: “The power to overcome addiction lies in the belief that it can be combined with constant strength of spirit.”
