Cure video game addiction
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 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 shrug your shoulders and think 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 shout with pride: “I don’t need friends, I have my legions of undead!”
Surely this could be an exaggerated sign of video game addiction, but sadly some video game addicts exhibit such exaggerated reactions, to an extent that some commit suicide when something untoward 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 video game addiction diagnostic status. These behaviors include continued play, difficulties at work and school, lying to loved ones, less attention to personal hygiene, less attention to family and friends, and sleep cycle disturbances.
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 a video game addict can help alleviate video game addiction. Here are some of those suggested means:
Limit your GAME TIME.
Set a specific time and duration to play on your gaming system. Limit your gaming time to a maximum of 1-2 hours per day. It will be difficult at first, but when your body has adapted, it will be easy as a normal daily activity. Otherwise, if you adapt too easily, try to think of your playtime as a reward for doing your other activities.
Be sure to let your friends, parents, or siblings know about your plan to limit their game time. Provide them with a specific game time schedule you have in mind. That way, they can easily control you and monitor if you’re following their desired gaming schedules.
Limiting game time not only frees up a lot of time for other activities besides gaming, it also slowly corrects your body clock (which is in tune with gaming over a long period of hours).
Throw away your GAMING MACHINES.
If you are truly that determined to cure your video game addiction 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 it is, if you’ve really decided to get rid of them, do it as soon as possible so you won’t be 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 somewhere that you can’t easily access. You can also try gifting it to your friends or family, like your nieces and nephews. If you’re going to give it away, try to give it to someone far away from you.
Dispose only of gaming machines that you own. Ask or explain to your parents and friends that you’re throwing away your slot machines and starting to turn the page.
Try other activities.
Whether you try the first or second suggestion, you will find that you will now have a void of activity with the result of limiting your game 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 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 go. Try to read the latest news in the newspaper; you’ll be surprised how many events you’ve missed. You can also try reading books in the library, you may know more about the Greek gods than the narrator of the game on your game console.
hang out – Go out with your friends and family. I guess it’s about time you repaired with them after a long time of isolation with your game console. Get involved and chat with them, ask them how they’ve been and what they’re up to now. Finally, be humble enough to apologize for taking them for granted.
No matter what the suggestions or methods are to mount or cure video game addiction, it will never work unless the person dedicates himself to changing himself. DEDICATION and MOTIVATION are the key for these proposals to be successful.
As the saying goes: “The power to overcome addiction lies in the belief that it is possible to combine it with a constant strength of spirit.”