Mobile gaming addiction is a very real problem for a large number of people across the world. Most of us understand that moderation is key when it comes to the colourful games that aim to part us from our money, but it’s obviously too much for some people to handle.
Some might argue that it’s impossible to get addicted to video games on your phone, although it’s clear that it definitely has an effect on people whose lives soon revolve around apps in an unhealthy way.
I myself became addicted to a mobile games to the extent I am buying gems online just to provide the needs to complete a task. One famous addictive games is The Sims. For almost two years I became a slave of this game. My husband is getting mad since our budget becomes affected as well. I can't control not buying a gems specially when a task is limited in a certain period of time. Each time I used my debit card or credit card, we end up arguing. It becomes a reason of our argument. I don't know why I can't handle it well, until one day I tried to observe myself since my husband keep telling me there are some changes in my behavior. I tried to research what are the possible effects of mobile games addiction and check if I experience it. The following are some physical and emotional symptoms:
PHYSICAL
- Fatigue
- Migraines due to intense concentration or eye strain
- Carpal tunnel syndrome caused by the overuse of a controller or computer mouse
- Poor personal hygiene
EMOTIONAL
- Feelings of restlessness and/or irritability when unable to play
- Preoccupation with thoughts of previous online activity or anticipation of the next online session
- Lying to friends or family members regarding the amount of time spent playing
- Isolation from others in order to spend more time gaming
Combining these symptoms, out of 8, I experience 7. Fatigue, I played almost 6 to 10 hours, my eyes gets tired but I won't let it rest so it will end up as a headache. My hands are getting numb since I have only one position when playing and since I am tired, I used to skip bathing. Before I sleep, I can't stop thinking what will be my next move, I even dreaming of it sometimes. I kept lying to my husband how much I spend for it and isolating myself to bed just to play the game.
The question is, how do I fall for this? What causes it?
To give you a brief understanding, I made some research about it and here are the main cause of being addicted to mobile games;
Many different causes factor into video game addiction. One of the main reasons that video games can become so addictive, however, is they are designed to be that way. Video game designers, like anyone else trying to make a profit, are always looking for ways to get more people playing their games. They accomplish this by making a game just challenging enough to keep you coming back for more but not so hard that the player eventually gives up. In other words, success for a gamer often feels just out of reach.
https://www.psychguides.com/guides/video-game-addiction-symptoms-causes-and-effects/Studies have found that playing video games can increase dopamine levels and that these levels were highest among those who were the best at these games. And designers of mobile games have worked to influence dopamine any way they can. Smartphones have sometimes been called “the world’s smallest slot machines,” and game developers seem to have taken that as a challenge. As technology observer Tom Chatfield explained in his 2010 TED talk, companies have worked to perfect the game mechanics that keep people coming back for more.
On the surface, most smartphone games are simple – designed for a quick play when a user has a few minutes to spare and not hours-long marathons. Goals, like merely clicking on various in-game items, seem like they would become boring quickly. So how do we explain their ongoing appeal? That’s where designers take advantage of one of dopamine’s key functions: its encouragement of novelty-seeking behavior.
In short, CHALLENGES AND REWARDS. We seek for a challenge and rewards at the same. Of course, we want to harvest a fruit of our labor. Just like in reality, we are looking for the same as well. Unconsciously speaking, we are diverting or escaping our real world problems through playing games as this will give us a feeling of relief.
PSYCHOLOGY OF GAME ADDICTION
Some people debate whether you can actually get addicted to gaming in the first place. We searched for some of the most relevant academic sources, to see what they would they thought.
Joe Hilgard, a doctoral candidate in the Department of Psychological Sciences in the MU College of Arts and Science.
“Gamers who are really into getting to the next level or collecting all of the in-game items seem to have unhealthier video-game use.When people talk about games being ‘so addictive,’ usually they’re referring to games like Farmville or Diablo that give players rewards, such as better equipment or stronger characters, as they play. People who are especially motivated by these rewards can find it hard to stop playing.”
Razi, S. (2015) Level of Frustration Discomfort Tolerance and Social Interaction Anxiety in Online Gaming Addicts (B.S.). Centre for Clinical Psychology, University of the Punjab.
“Online gaming addiction, as other behavioural addictions, has been known to cause tolerance which causes the addicts to play more and more as well as the need to escape negative feelings, which are mostly frustration, anger, boredom as well as lack of social interaction. The low levels of frustration tolerance, in turn makes the gamers impulsive and ready to use their money to progress in the games.”
Langley, A. (2010). Correlates of Video Game Addiction (Master of Science). University of North Texas.
Langley (2010) states that video game addiction often leads to a tremendous burden on those afflicted with the condition, draining their time, resources, and life away until they have nothing left. The research a showed a high correlation between addictive video game use and a desire for escapism and lack of self-control.
Young, K. (2009). Understanding Online Gaming Addiction and Treatment Issues for Adolescents. The American Journal of Family Therapy
Young (2009) explained that addiction to online games can cause a tremendous amount of consequences to the gamer. Gaming addicts willingly forgo sleep, food, and real human contact just to experience more time in the virtual world. Gaming addicts must play for long periods of time to excel at the game, which makes them forget/ neglect their real life interactions and duties at hand.
So, it’s clear that experts across the world recognize that certain negative behaviors can be caused by mobile gaming, noting a lack of self-control that causes some user to part with heaps of money.
http://joyofandroid.com/mobile-gaming-addiction/
So what did I do to stop my addiction? I found a better ways to control myself until I became free from addiction.
1. Make a plan.
After realizing my marriage is at stake because of my game addiction, I immediately find ways to help myself. Planning is the first step so you can for-see yourself in the targeted time. Be specific and realistic. Make sure to set measurable milestone.
2. Make it happen.
Planning is not made to be just a reminder in your card board but to make sure you can attain the goal. Immediately start the plan after the day of planning. Break the habit of "I'll do it tomorrow" attitude!
3. Make yourself busy and productive
Go out. Meet friends, go out for a walk with your partner, call a friend or family or create another hobby. Make your self busy to control your self in playing. If you like, join a community group to help you become more productive. Having community service may gives you a feeling self-satisfaction and importance.
4. Remove your debit card/credit card details in your apps payment
Try not to memorize your credit card or debit card number. In case you can't avoid to play, at least the chances of spending in the game will be lessen. If you can't help it, delete the games instead.
5. Talk to someone
Talk to your partner, best friend or a family member. Open up yourself whole heartedly and seek advise. Don't be ashamed of your addiction, no one gets better without opening the cleaning the wounds.
6. Exercise
Just a 30 minutes exercise each day will help your body to release energy. This will help you to circulate your blood normally and produce enough air in your brain which helps us to function properly.
Recovery is not always easy, but it is achievable. Video game addiction can be just as dangerous as any other addiction and should be treated as such. The first step in overcoming dependency is being able to recognize that it exists. If you or you know someone is suffering in mobile games addiction, make an action now. Don't wait until it ruined your life. You are responsible for your actions, help yourself first before someone can help you.
