Gaming disorder
"The passion for computer games is the newest mental disorder" - this was announced by the World Health Organization yet in 2003 year after a 12 years old child passed away
in front of the computer from exhaustion and dehydration.
This new decease has been added in the list of pathologies.
The decease is called "
Gaming disorder" and gets in the group of
"disorders caused by substances usage or addictive behaviour".
A research shows that the addiction to video games is categorized as mental disorder.
On the WHO website it is determined as "Inability to control the gaming and prolonging or increasing the time spent in gaming regardless of the appearance of negative consequences by that".
A research of the decease shows that there is a visible mechanism in which the addictions become part of the human behaviour. This mechanism is connected with the creation of the happiness hormone(endorphin),
which makes the kids wanting to play video and computer games again and again.
Screen time kills child brain
The researchers of "the screen time syndrome" determine through brain scanning serious breaches in the brain structure and the activities in kids exposed to screen impact:
- atrophy of the brain grey matter
- impaired cerebral white matter integrity
- decreasing thickness of the brain cortex
- impaired cognitive abilities
- impaired functions of the domapine depots
Symptoms of Gaming Addiction
Symptoms of computer addiction should not be ignored by the parent:
- The child has mood swings. When not on the computer the kid is subdued and irritable, and may show aggression. These are the first signs of abstinence.
- Changes in the appearance of the child - the eyes are red, dry or with shadows, the kid complains from headache, stiffness, pain in the neck or the back.
- Changes in the behaviour. The child becomes enclosed, doesn't want to contact other people and mostly the parents. Looses interest in the learning process. The school results drop down.
- The desire to sit on the computer is overwhelming. No tasks, promises or commitments are more important than the computer gaming.
- The child spends more than few hours on the computer. The kid never keeps the promise that will only play for half an hour and will leave it.
- The dictionary of the child is changing. It becomes poor, concise, in the kid's conversation gradually enter computer terms which begin to prevail.
Early prevention
As with any other form of illness or addiction, the prevention is an extremely important step in dealing with any problem, especially with children.
It has been proven by science that when rules and hygiene norms for computer use are developed and followed in a timely manner, they shape the child's mind, attitudes and habits.
The process is most painless when you anticipate adverse events.
When rules are introduced as prevention, stable attitudes are formed in the child and he adapts without resistance and perceives the positive effects on his mind and psyche.
If the child already has troubling symptoms of screen addiction it will not be too late, but it will be extremely difficult for both parents and children.