Requests for treatment of teens with internet-related issues have increased significantly, so it’s not uncommon to find young people with an Internet gambling disorder in psychology clinics.
Young people use the Internet to access a wide variety of content across multiple devices, the main objectives are to count, have fun or learn, however, in recent years it has become clear that improper or excessive use of the Internet can have negative consequences. . We talk about the impact on the functions of daily life, family relationships and emotional stability.
- The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) states that dependence on the Internet does not have enough entity to be classified as a disorder.
- However.
- It suggested the existence of this disorder.
- Indicating that it required further studies (American Psychiatric Association.
- 2013).
This situation has led to a series of investigations. In them, we find enough evidence to argue that excessive or excessive use of gambling can have worse or as negative consequences as any other better-known addiction.
Next, we’ll look at what diagnostic criteria are necessary for the existence of the disorder under DSM-5.
Persistent and recurrent use of the Internet to participate in the game, often with other players, causes clinically significant deterioration or discomfort, as indicated by 5 (or more) of the following over a 12-month period:
This disorder only includes online gambling that is not related to gambling, this does not include the use of the Internet to perform activities necessary for a business or profession, let alone the disorder is expected to include other recreational or social uses of the Internet.
Disorder is a model of overuse and prolonged online gaming, the result is a group of cognitive and behavioral symptoms, such as progressive loss of control over play, tolerance and withdrawal symptoms, which are analogous to symptoms of a substance use disorder. .
As with substance disorders, people with substance disorders continue to sit in front of a computer for these activities, even if they neglect other activities.
They typically spend eight to ten hours a day, at least 30 hours a week, doing this activity. If there are attempts to restrict the use of the computer so that it does not play games, it becomes agitated and corrupted. They often go long periods without eating or sleeping.
Another symptom is that they neglect their usual responsibilities, such as school, work, or family obligations. The essential feature of this disorder is persistent and recurrent participation in computer games, usually group games, for many hours.
These games lead to competition between groups of players (often found in different parts of the world) participating in complex and structured activities, which involve an important aspect of social interaction during the game.
The feelings of the team seem to be a key motivation, constantly resisting attempts to return the individual to school or interpersonal activities, in this way neglect family, personal or professional occupations.
On the other hand, patients claim to use the computer to “avoid boredom,” rather than using it to communicate or search for information. In some of the people studied, brain activation was triggered by exposure to games in specific regions that are not limited. to the reward system.
The description of the criteria for this addiction was adapted from a study conducted in China, the criteria and the specific threshold for diagnosis should also be determined empirically, so we recommend using the information in this article with caution.
If you think you have a problem with Internet games, the best thing you can do is seek help from a specialist psychologist, who can help you overcome this addiction and make its impact on your life less large.