I need to know if my 29 year old son is addicted to video gaming. My family thinks I'm crazy :)
He moved back home after living in L.A. for 8 years last summer. In L.A. he lost his job, car, apt. He would go days and days without returning calls. When he came home his clothes smelled so bad it took weeks to get the smell out. He's gained weight. Now here at home for 7 months I've been watching and he'll play games online until 3 or 4 in the morning. I can't get him to focus on finding a career path, deciding on classes. We've taken the games away and he is mad, depressed, won't talk to me. I know there are other reasons for his behavior that could be the cause but I need to know what direction to take next. He is an amazing person - super talented musician and very intelligent. I hate to see his life wasted.
Thanks for any advice
Hi VicBee,
The following survey was published by a research study at the Iowa State University conducted by Douglas Gentile, PhD [1]. The following questions are based on diagnostic criteria for addictive gambling behavior:
Over time, have you been spending much more time playing video games, learning about video game playing, or planning the next opportunity to play?Do you need to spend more time and money on video games in order to feel the same amount of excitement as other activities in your life?Have you tried to play video games for shorter durations of times but have been unsuccessful? Do you become restless or irritable when you attempt to cut down or stop playing video games? Have you played video games as a way to escape problems or negative feelings? Have you lied to family or friends about how much you play video games? Have you ever stolen a video game from a store or a friend, or stolen money to buy a video game? Do you sometimes skip household chores in order to play more video games? Do you sometimes skip homework or work in order to play more video games? Have you ever done poorly on a school assignment, test, or work assignment because you have spent so much time playing video games? Have you ever needed friends or family to give you extra money because you've spent too much of your own money on video games, software, or game Internet fees?
If you answered "yes" to six or more of these questions, then he most likely have an addiction to video games. If "yes" is answered to five or less questions, then there may be a problem. "Video game addiction" and "Internet addiction" are not yet official medical diagnoses with standardized criteria. Behaviors become "addictions" when they disrupt real life, such as school or work performance, real life relationships, and activities of daily living. Use this survey as a guide to determine if video games and/or Internet use may be a problem in your life, but do not use the survey to make a "clinical diagnosis".
Reference
1. Gentile, Douglas. "Pathological Video-Game Use Among Youth Ages 8 to 18." Psychol Sci. 2009 Jun;20(6):785.
Andrew P. Doan, MPH, MD, PhD
My Gaming Addiction Videos on YouTube: YouTube.com/@DrAndrewDoan
*The views expressed are of the author's and do not necessarily reflect the official policy of the U.S. Navy, DHA or Department of Defense.
Welcome VicBee! Please read the post at the top of this forum that deals with adult children. He is an adult who is free to make his own choices, but you are free to decide that you do not want to live with and support the consequences of those choices in your house.
"Small service is true service while it lasts. Of humblest friends, bright creature! scorn not one
The daisy, by the shadow that it casts,
Protects the lingering dewdrop from the sun." -------William Wordsworth
In order to get him to stop, tell him your concerns but dont ask him to react. In stead let him log the hours he plays and how he feels before, during and after the game and specify anxiety, depressed feelings, anger, sadness.. etc....then after a period ( week or forthnight) talk it through ..Also get him to a professional therapist. excluding only works if all else fils ( the addict needs to wake up and must have thw will to stop as making his own choice)
pre- diagnosed with Autism.