Treating Problematic Video Gaming
by Dr. Kenneth Woog, BSEEE, MBA, Psy.D.
Problematic video gaming
Video game play is essentially a form of behavioral conditioning. Certain activities within the game play, and even peripherally related such as watching others play, can be highly reinforcing. Video games are designed to be enjoyable. This is obvious and reasonable. Why wouldn't video games be designed to be incredibly enjoyable?
However for some individuals, the game's reinforcement is so powerful that this leads them to compulsively play for greater and greater amounts of time. Playing excessively will generally result in lowered levels of time spent on other activities. This, over time, may result in both reduced interest in other activities and negative life outcomes - such as academic or occupational problems, relational problems, family conflict and mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. The resulting negative mood states then push the individual to play even more to alleviate the difficult feelings and tune out. It doesn't matter if the initial entry to the cycle was at point 1 or point 2, the result is the same. The individual becomes locked into a vicious cycle.
Treatment Solution
Treatment involves addressing all three elements of the above cycle.
1. Reduce the impact of negative mood states - through psychotherapy/coaching an individual learns better ways of coping with the negative mood states. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a form of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has been found by some clinicians to be helpful in treating video game addiction. Finding a therapist experienced in working with problematic video gaming is very important. While there may be symptoms of depression or anxiety, it is critical that the therapist really understands gaming addiction and effective treatment methods. If an individual is not experiencing serious negative mood states, brief therapy or coaching may be sufficient.
2. Reduce the amount of time playing video games and related activities but not eliminate game play altogether. This is not as easy as it sounds. An individual that is addicted or whose entire world revolves around video game play cannot reduce play time on their own. Since it is likely that parents have unsuccessfully attempted to limit their use in the past, in the absence of new tools, they are likely to continue to struggle in this area. Maintaining consistent limits is difficult because too often the user is also the system administrator. The system administrator can install and remove any program or change any setting on the computer so parental control settings can be easily changed. If not the system administrator, a tech savvy child can learn how to easily change this after a short Google search. In addition to technical challenges, parents often struggle dealing with the child's discomfort, acting out, suicidal gestures or other problem behaviors when not able to play. This requires a careful evaluation of current use levels and a plan to gradually lower use over time. If there are dangerous, violent or suicidal behaviors we do not recommend parents attempt restriction without consulting a behavioral specialist. Although there is no one answer for how much time is too much, there appears to be a correlation between 25 or more hours/week of play with negative life outcomes. For some this could be significantly less.
3. Repair negative life outcomes and build a life with real world rewards. This involves actively working to enrich the child's life and, even under certain circumstances, using video game time as a reward for participating in competing rewarding real world activities. This involves crafting and carefully following a plan designed to motivate behavioral change. The shift toward real-life rewards can be seen over time as grades improve, the individual reconnects with family/friends, interests in other hobbies/talents return and their general mood improves in the absence of gaming, This takes time and effort to make this happen. It is critical that family members help contribute to this part of treatment.
The Sentinel Gaming System is designed specifically to address problematic and addictive video gaming. It neutralizes the technology gap between parents and their children, overcomes the limitations on parental controls, allows for a conveniently implemented behavioral plan and helps therapists monitor treatment progress. While their are other ways to accomplish reductions in game play time, none are more comprehensive. convenient, consistent and reliable. One of the problems identified as a contributing factor in maintaining problematic video gaming is the "Beat the Parents" game, a cycle of repeated failure by parents to maintain effective limits. It is not a parenting failure, it is a "rigged" game that the child will continue to win due to the technical limitations of parent controls.
For adolescents and young adults, mastery and the need for autonomy are important developmental processes that help guide them toward becoming a successful, independent adult. But with strong willed and determined video game players, these normal processes can fuel yet another game they have played for a long time and are dedicated to winning. The Sentinel Gaming System signals GAME OVER to the "Beat the Parents" game.
For information on treatment programs that incorporate the Sentinel Gaming System as a part of treatment click here. For clinicians interested in learning more details on how the Sentinel Gaming System can be used in treatment click here.