The fantasy world can turn into a nightmare when the player loses control
Despite the idea that young people and children are the most affected by addiction to electronic games, anyone can become a victim. “We found, as users of these games, individuals of all ages: adults, teenagers and children. Although the most susceptible are teenagers and adults, everyone is exposed to the addictive characteristics that these games offer”, explains psychologist Mirella Benevenuto.
According to her, some of these characteristics are: immediate gratification, fast pace and unpredictability. This type of game can function as a parallel world full of adventures and dreams, but end up as a nightmare.
Electronic gamer profile
The person addicted to games electronics brings an obstinacy for gambling, does not accept losing and claims to play for fun. Has a lot of difficulty controlling the impulse for the game and spends a lot of time on it.
“Essentially, [há] replacing multiple possibilities of using time and enjoying pleasure with the admittedly exaggerated use of hours used to play, prepare games and get more games”, says Hewdy Lobo Ribeiro, forensic psychiatrist.
beware of children
It is undeniable that the internet and the lack of space to practice outdoor activities ended up taking children in front of the computer, so they deserve more attention. “Surveys reveal that almost all children and young people aged 8 to 18 adopt electronic games as a fundamental and, sometimes, exclusive part of their lives, causing, among the negative effects, obesity, shyness and aggressiveness”, says Bartira Mendes.
Attention to the signs
Parents should be aware when children stop doing other activities to play. The point of attention must arise “when, in a clearly uncontrollable way, they replace eating time, going to the bathroom, studying, sleeping and interpersonal relationships with the use of games, the search for new games and whose life, instead of a polythematic experience, becomes to remain monothematic in games”, analyzes Hewdy Lobo Ribeiro.
Consequences of video game addiction
Psychologist Mirella Benevenuto points out that, until the age of 21, the brain is not completely formed and that the capacity for decisions, judgments and self-control of young people is not fully developed. This, in turn, ends up “provoking the desire to stay more and more connected in this virtual world. This causes him to develop a compulsion. The same compulsion similar to what is seen in drug, alcohol and gambling addicts”, he warns.
According to her, this “compulsive behavior, now an addiction, will contribute to the individual’s development of psychiatric disorders and withdrawal crises, compromising their ability to interact socially with friends and family, the notion of time, interest in other activities and school. ”. Regardless of the player’s age, it’s important to be aware: nothing that steals your time with your family, prevents you from sleeping, studying or doing any other day-to-day activities is considered normal!
Source: Maxima
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