Answers
Counseling, groups, e.t.c? Okay here's the story...
My son loves video games. In fact. He's addicted. It's gone to the point where my husband or I has to push the power button on his computer. The entire family(except for him of course) thinks he's mentally retarded. Why? Here: He almost fell down a cliff(into the 2nd tallest waterfall in the world). He has trouble RE-dialling on a cell phone(which he's had over a year). This morning, when he wants waffles, he actually had to FIND the toaster and then figure out how to operate it! Also: Zoning out when people are talking to him, staring at random objects: packs of gum, cups, shoes, paper, e.t.c), singing very odd songs(like cult-type songs). Once, he even took $20 out of my purse and bought a video game WITHOUT telling me. When I confronted him, he lied and said it was only $10. I can't lock him out of the computer room, because I need the computer for stocks, emails, and other things. I've done everything I can! What should I do?!?!?!?!?!?! He can't find a job, has no girlfriend(did I mention he drools?), and is 18(nearly 19). Today, when we were watching the Olympics, he yelled, drooled, and called everybody a "failure, disgrace, and moron" He has no allowance, so I can't take that away. HELP. By the way, he can barely get dressed, cusses at every person in his life, made my sweet 8-year-old daughter cry(to sobs and sniffling)! When he said sorry, it was SO fake! He says more sincere sorries to his friends when they're playing games! He never helps around the house and blames it on me and my husband for not asking him(he's 18! even my 8 year old girl helps without being told to!). WHAT SHOULD I DO?!?!?!?!?!?! If I take away all his games, he'll just find them, or worse, buy more games! Another critical thing is he's leaving for college in September(late September, thank god), and laughs and calls me and my husband an retard for even warning him. When I am forced to shut down his computer, He yells at me" WHAT THE F*CK ARE YOU DOING, U B*TCH?!" ...sorry about that, but it's true. Please help before everyone hates him
I don't necessarily have a great answer. I had to recover from video game addiction. I eventually woke from my dazed pathetic life that I created and realized that I had to STOP PLAYING! I finally conceived that the rest of my life was great, so why keep playing games?? I know that doesn't sound great since it is a self realization but if he comes up with the idea himself, perhaps he will change his ways. Until HE realizes how stupid it is to be playing games all day, he will likely not be able to completely get away. My best advice is to try to strongly persuade, not force, him to do other things that will occupy his time. If he can get into doing something else there will not be the amount of time to play games like he used to. Good luck!
Short documentary on video game addiction.
Every day, I get on and start playing for hours upon hours. I forget to do my homework and before I know it, my mom's home from work and pi$$ed off at the fact that I didn't do any homework. How do I get rid of this addiction? It's ruining my life!
Yes on the Comp.
ummm hmm let me think.
go out! play outside!
or tell your mom to take you system and hide it or lock it up somewhere in the house
e and my boyfriend care about each other deeply. We've almost been going out for 9 months now. The thing is we kind of hit a bump. We both realized we don't have anything in common. All he does most of the time is xbox and cards. and i'm not into gaming. So I end up just sitting there while he's playing games with his friends.
I've suggested walks,parks,picnic but he doesn't want to do that at all. We both like camping so we are going to try that sometime. But it's not just about that...it's the fact he says he's such a cold person with no emotions yet he says he loves me. I don't understand that. And then he said that if I broke up with him he would start dating again like if a girl asked him out he would say yes. but he said he would still love me. It's just he thinks that if I broke up with him it would be like a full on decission. So I understand he's not going to dwell. But the other problem is he's selfish. He's lazy. He even said this. Like anytime he gets a hold of money he automatically wants to buy xbox games or cards. Anytime I get a hold of money for US to do something he wants to buy something for himself. He explained it's an addiction. And I told him to work on it and he said he can't.
I don't know how we are going to do this. I really do care about him. But it is true..he's addicted to xbox and cards. I'm trying to get into games more so we can do soemthing else but....other then that I don't know what to do.
But I don't want to break up with him either. I just love his goofy personality. Love it. But even he says that I can do better. But...I want to be with him. I want to make this work. It's just...I don't know how he could say he loves me when he says he is an empty shell sometimes. But he does get worried about me and everything.So I know he cares too. I just really want this to work. I want him to enjoy more being with me and what not.
But again it scares me the thought that he might not love me but he says he does. It's just I would think he would try harder to get over his addiction if he did love me. I don't know!
Get him to agree to a day with just the two of you. You get to decide the time, the place, the activities, etc. Say something along these lines.
Wait until you are alone. Lock eyes with him and keep the eye contact. Say very sternly something like this without raising your voice or looking angry.
"When is your next free day from work/school/whatever? Okay, we are going out that day at 00:00 and who knows when we get back. You are going to dress for the occasion too. No griping, no groaning. (Don't let him interrupt you) No other distractions that day. (Keep him from looking away) Ok honey? I SAID OK HONEY!?"
If he doesn't comply, get ahold of his favorite Magic card deck and a container of water and show some tough love. Make sure he sees it too. Then leave and don't answer your phone and go out with your girlfriends or family and have the good time he never gave you time for.
P.S. Hide all the towels and paper towels before soaking the series.
They say that most couples fight about money, but I'm willing to put my money on that fact changing to video game addiction one day very soon. Who's with me? It's just ridiculous the way a grown man feels the need to spend so much time on this crap. Who else is feeling my pain? Short explination just to get it off your chest if you need to. Take Care.
I don't think that divorces should be made over something rediculous as video games. Gosh, all I see divorce divorce divorce.
Divorces should only be done if the woman or the man feels like they are UNSAFE around this person. Like if this man or woman really wants to harm you in anyway shape or form.
As a full fledged married couple, if your spouse does not give as much attention as he/she should, you should get with that spouse and discuss it, for you two are partners in life and must stick with each other.
What wives should do, instead of COMPLAIN ALL THE TIME is to get down and look at what her husband is doing and get into it a little to have an understanding of why that husband likes it so much.
No offense, but, I believe the #1 reason for divorce in the next five years is from wives who are always controlling always negative, shuts her mind off from the husband's point of view. As partners in life, you must look from BOTH views outside of your own. Instead of saying "If you don't want it my way, then fine!" say "If you don't want it my way, then why?" Listen to what the other has to say and consider it. After all, disagreement in marrage is like a coin, the one side may be different from the other, but they share the same coin.
Same goes for husbands.
Try considering what I said, who knows, it may help you a little.
Well me and my boyfriend have been dating for a month now and we spent almost every day together. He discovered that World of Warcraft is his addiction. In this past week we've only spent time with each other once. We were with each other for about 10 hours. 5 hours out of the 10 he slept, because he was up all night playing WoW. I need help on what I should do. Am I being to clingy, or is he losing interest in me..and moving onto one with his video game? I talked to him about his game and he found nothing wrong with the fact of him staying up all night and sleeping all day. We are only teenagers, so I don't know if this is just a phase or something. Any help?
He is not a nerd. His personality that is..or looks. But ever since he got this 'free month pass' he's been on it constantly. So hopefully in 3 weeks when his time runs out, this will stop.
Yay, I'm not alone on this!!!
My boyfriend is forever playing games with his brother when I go over. Or we'll be skyping and I don't have his full attention because he's gaming. He spends so much money on MapleStory too. I asked if we could go to the zoo sometime soon because he promised he'd take me (I'm 19 but I really want to go to the zoo, lol). He said he didn't have the money for it but he's been buying Nexon game cards like 3 times a week!
I hope some people have some advice here.
Talking does help some. My boyfriend has toned down the amount he plays when I'm around because I told him I feel left out when I have to compete with the games.
bVideo Game Addiction/b: Just the bFacts/b Maam. | Uncommon Parenting
The Facts of video game addiction:
1. Ninety percent of American youth play video games.
2. Fifteen percent of them may be addicted.
3. That is more than five million children that may be addicted.
4. Eight and a half percent of all video game players show signs of addiction.
5. This addiction affects children’s schoolwork, disrupts interaction with family and friends, and poses health problems.
So, are you worried about your child being addicted to video games? We have heard in our workshops and on the radio from many parents who think their children play too often. They wonder why. They have trouble setting limits and are concerned.
Know this . . . just because a child plays video games a lot does not mean they necessarily have an addiction. Nor does it mean they don’t. To be a valid addiction there has to be real injury done on a variety of levels. For instance, a combination of school, family, social and psychological functioning need to be effected negatively in order for the game playing to be classified as an addiction.
...August Wrap-Up: ReStart bAddiction/b Clinic, Second Skin Review
Here’s my August wrap up of major news in gaming addiction, as I see it.
The ReStart Internet addiction program has opened its doors in Washington state, but not without controversy. Their first patient, identified as ‘Ben,’ and his father have gone public regarding his 16 hour per day habit, and his recovery. Most recently, Ben’s story was featured on the CBS morning news.
Watch CBS Videos Online
Naturally, we can’t let Ben and his family enjoy the success and peace of his recovery without attacking his father’s character and beginning a campaign of silly namecalling and patronizing dismissal of the notion of addiction to electronic media. And so the trolls came out to play, as they always do, with little if any knowledge of Ben’s situation or the dynamics of addiction.
I have been privileged to learn a bit more of the context in which this addiction grew and flourished, so I understand how hard this terrific dad has worked to get Ben this far. Also, I’ve spent some time with the head of an outpatient treatment program at Toronto’s Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.
...News
Game isnt overDetroit Free Press - Jan 01, 1970
Game isn#39;t overOnly 8.5% of the gamers are clinically addicted, according to www.techaddiction.ca. According to Online Gamers Anonymous, symptoms such as craving to get back on the game, disturbed sleep or excessive time sleeping are signs of video game addiction.New York Daily News - Jan 01, 1970
DAVE: Dr. Douglas Gentile, an associate professor of psychology at Iowa State University says that kids addicted to video games are more likely to suffer depression, anxiety and social phobias as a result of their pathological gaming,
The Canberra Times - Jan 01, 1970
PSX ExtremeChild addiction to video gaming not #39;just a phase#39;Once their gaming is back to normal levels, their psychological problems shift, and their mood and school work improves, Douglas Gentile, a lead researcher on two studies of video game addiction, says. Dr Gentile, an associate professor in psychology Game Addicted Kids Can Suffer From Depression, Anxietyall 38 news articlesnbsp;raquo;
Patch.com - Jan 01, 1970
As I mentioned last week, I recently sat down to discuss video game addiction with Dr. David Greenfield author of Virtual Addiction. He is one of the leading authorities on internet and cyber psychology, including its use and abuse.and morenbsp;raquo;Daily Mail - Jan 01, 1970
It wants to stamp out online bullying, and stem a number of suicides attributed to internet and video game addiction. Their game will switch off after two hours, where they will be given a 10 minute rest, and can then only log again in once for a South Korea May Limit Young Online Gamers to 2 Hours a Dayto Prevent BullyingNo, Korea, Gaming Does Not Make You A BullySouth Korea introduces yet another law to curb gaming#39;s illsall 6 news articlesnbsp;raquo;
Clinical Psychiatry News Digital Network - Jan 01, 1970
Video Games: What You#39;d Really Rather Not KnowInternet/video game addiction disorder is a diagnosis that#39;s not to be found in the Fourth Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Nor after considerable controversy will it make its way into DSM-5. But it is nonetheless a very real and morenbsp;raquo;
On Video Games - Jan 01, 1970
Australian Group Says They#39;re Preparing For Video Game AddictionThat there are going to be intervention programs for people who play video games to the point they forget to do their homework or miss out on family birthdays or worse, don#39;t date? Video gaming isn#39;t addictive, people are irresponsible.