The excitement builds while you wait for the release of a new game and the camaraderie of an online guild. All part of healthy gaming. And you’re not alone. One study in five western countries found that more than 86 percent of young adults ages 18–24 and more than 65 percent of all adults had recently played online games [1].
But when that excitement evolves into compulsion, this is a sign of problem gaming or even addiction, known as Gaming Disorder. Recognizing the symptoms is the first step toward regaining balance.
In this Insight, I identify its key behavioral, psychological, and physical signs.
Defining the Line: When Does Gaming Become an Addiction?
Gaming Disorder is now recognized in the WHO’s International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), the manual used by clinicians outside the US to diagnose mental health conditions [2].
It is also recognized as Internet Gaming Disorder, a classification under review in the DSM-5 TR, the manual used by North American clinicians to diagnose mental health conditions [1]. Under the proposed criteria, a diagnosis of internet gaming disorder would require experiencing five or more symptoms within a year.
According to the ICD-11, there are three pillars that characterize addiction:
- Impaired Control: The inability to control the onset, frequency, intensity, duration, or cessation of gaming.
- Increasing Priority: Giving gaming precedence over all other life interests and daily activities.
- Escalation Despite Negatives: Continuation or escalation of gaming despite the occurrence of negative consequences.
The Symptom Spectrum: Key Signs to Recognize
There are three clusters of symptoms [3] [4] [5]:
Behavioral and Lifestyle Symptoms
- Preoccupation and Wanting: Thinking about gaming constantly when not doing it; planning the next session obsessively or replaying past games in your mind when you should be focused on other tasks
- Loss of Control and Failed Attempts to Stop: Repeated unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control gaming or feeling unable to stick to limits that were set.
- Deception and Secrecy: Lying to family or others about the amount of time spent gaming; hiding or sneaking gaming sessions.
- Neglect of Major Life Areas:
- Academic/Professional: Declining grades, falling behind at work, missed deadlines, neglecting work.
- Personal Hygiene and Health: Ignoring sleep, neglecting basic cleanliness, irregular eating.
- Social and Relational: Pulling back from family and offline friends; neglecting previous hobbies and activities.
Psychological and Emotional Symptoms
- Mood Regulation: Plays games to escape from or relieve feelings of anxiety, guilt, or depression. Feels irritable, anxious, or empty when unable to play.
- Tolerance: To achieve the desired excitement or relief, needs to spend increasing amounts of time gaming.
- Withdrawal Symptoms: When gaming is taken away or not possible, feels restless, angry, or sad.
- Loss of Interest: Feels apathetic or bored with activities that were once enjoyable. Gaming almost entirely replaces previous interests in hobbies, sports, or social activities.
- Relationship strain: Conflict with family or partners about gaming, social withdrawal, or seeing friends much less often.
- Risk or loss: Jeopardizing or actually losing a job, academic standing, or important relationships because of gaming behavior.
- Gaming for long periods of time: Chronic tiredness and poor school or work performance due to gaming late into the night.
- Lying or minimizing: Playing in secret and hiding how much time is spent gaming.
- Using gaming to cope: Rather than using healthier coping strategies, turn to games to escape stress, low mood, guilt, or other difficult emotions.
- Ignoring limits: Continuing to play even when aware of clear negative consequences or after being asked to stop by family or employers.
Physical Symptoms
- Sleep problems: Staying up late to play, difficulty falling asleep after gaming, or irregular sleep–wake patterns.
- Digital Eye Strain and Sleep Disruption: Headaches, blurred vision, dry eyes, and “blue light” insomnia from late-night sessions.
- Musculoskeletal Issues: Develops “gamer’s thumb,” carpal tunnel syndrome, and neck and back pain from prolonged, poor posture.
- Ergonomic Injuries: Develops pain from repetitive stress and inadequate setup.
- Neglect of Physical Health: Eats irregular meals, has poor nutrition, and has a lack of exercise. This may lead to broader health decline.
Impact on Relationships and Finances
In addition, there may be further repercussions beyond the individual gamer.
- Strained Relationships: Constant arguments, broken promises, emotional distance, and neglect of partners or children.
- Financial Problems: Neglecting financial responsibilities to fund gaming. Excessive spending on in-game purchases (microtransactions, loot boxes), new hardware, or other related expenses is a common issue.
What To Do Next?
A loved one or friend may consider the following:
- Show Compassion: Rather than shaming, listen, understand, and offer help.
- Suggest Self-Assessment: Ask them to reflect on how many symptoms they recognize and over what timeframe. For a clinical diagnosis, symptoms must be evident for at least 12 months.
- Seek Professional Help: Encourage the individual to speak with a doctor, therapist, or counselor specializing in behavioral addictions.
- Point to Resources: Explain the existence of support networks (both online and offline) and tools for self-limiting play.
Recovery and healthy balance are possible with awareness and support.
How Engage Young Adult Transitions Can Help
At Engage, we are ready to support you in our welcoming community if you identify as LGBTQ+.
Engage Young Adult Transitions is a transitional living program and therapeutic community that assists young adults on their path to independence. Using attachment theory, we provide a foundation for forming connections, getting involved with the community, managing mental health, and building life skills for long-term success.
Engage offers structured autonomy and high support, without creating dependence. Our therapists and life coaches are here to honor the young adults’ need to gain independence and freely move to a more secure sense of self and their relationships.
Located just steps from Southern Utah University in Cedar City, we offer access to services seven days a week, including academic support, vocational training, career guidance, life skill coaching, mental health therapies, and recreational activities.
Our community offers high levels of therapeutic support that honor autonomy and independence while guiding young adults to a life of freedom, emotional wellness, and success.
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Sources
[1] American Psychiatric Association. 2023. Internet Gaming.
[2] World Health Organization. nd. Gaming disorder.
[3] Mohammad, S., et al. (2023). Symptoms, Mechanisms, and Treatments of Video Game Addiction. Cureus, 15(3).
[4] Luker E. 2022. Are video games, screens another addiction? Mayo Clinic.
[5] Cleveland Clinic. nd. Video Game Addiction.