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What is Gameaholicism
The availability of modern gaming tools and equipment makes it difficult for a person who is innately drawn to video games
to break free from the desire of gaming; and for this reason, the term "Gameaholicism" is coined. Much like other addictions or
fixations, gameaholicism may be suffered by any individual, usually beginning at the adolescent stage.
Studies show that most of the cases of gameaholicism occur among individuals aged 13 years old. At this point, the individual
manifests immense interest in gaming, which leads to this habit. While such young age is the onset of gameaholicism, adults are
nevertheless vulnerable to this state. According to research, young adults are the steady target of gameaholicism, and it may be
owed to the many life pressures that persons of this age face; thus, treating gaming as their escape. Overwhelming responsibilities
at work, pressure at home, and many other factors contribute to gameaholicism among adults.
In reality, gameaholicism manifest in many obvious behavior patterns. Among the most common ones includes spending more and more
time playing computer games, accompanied with an intense feeling of both pleasure and guilt; spending more time playing computer
games than any other activities; and experiencing negative emotions such as anxiety, depression, and moodiness as one is not able
to play computer games. While the symptoms of gameaholicism vary from one individual to another, the affected behavior pattern
associated with this condition is always experienced. In most severe cases, the gamer's quality of life is compromised.
Unlike gameaholics in their early adolescent years, adults are able to determine whether they already fixated to the same habit.
As discerning adults, these gamers are more likely to know when their lives are already affected by such existing condition. While some
adults nevertheless undergo denial, most of these adult gamers come into terms with the fact that they actually suffer from their
addiction. As this realization sinks in, these adults are then able to commit to measures that may help them break free from
gameaholicism, often resulting to a regulated computer gaming as compared to the previous fixation from this activity.
Unlike other conditions though, intervention for gameaholics may not be as scientific and methodological as those who experience
other psychological states and conditions. After all, this is a simple fixation to games-- not exactly a physically or mentally
destructive hobby. In fact, there are a lot of benefits to gaming too; though it cannot be denied that excessive gaming may
nevertheless lead to some harmful effects to the individual. Some means to get over gameaholicism would be involvement in other
interesting activities, also with the encouragement and assistance of friends and families, or support group.
While gameaholicism is mostly scorned upon by many, gamers' intense love for gaming should never be treated with hostility.
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