TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
(pp.3-6)
1)
Can video
gaming really become an addiction? (pp.6-10)
2)
Why are video
games addictive? (pp.10-11)
3)
Are all
games equally addictive?(pp.11-14)
4) Am I really a video game addict? (pp.14-24)
5) How much time do I really spend gaming?
(PP.24-32)
6) Am I alone? What type of teen is most likely
to become addicted to gaming? (pp.32-33)
7) Why
am I addicted to gaming?(pp.34-43)
8)
Changing
your mood to free yourself from gaming addiction(pp.43-61)
9)
Overcoming
video game addiction by learning The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People (pp.61-89)
10) You have the power to change your brain!
(pp.90-93)
11) Video gamers and dating. (pp.93-96)
12) Watch out for cyber porn!(pp.96-106)
13) Moderation versus “getting unplugged.”
(pp.107-110)
14) Conclusion: putting it all together!
(pp.110-114)
Introduction:
Let me begin by saying that I am 53
years old and therefore did not grow up playing video games. And, truth be
told, I have never developed an interest in gaming. However, I have two sons
who both play video games – from Mario Kart to Lego Harry Potter to Grand Theft
Auto to Call of Duty. Both of my sons have had various handheld systems -- such
as the Nintendo DS and Sony PSP. We have a PlayStation and a WII in our home.
We own three laptops, one desktop computer, two iPads that are loaded with game
apps, and three iPhones -- also loaded with game apps.
So, I am certainly not a parent who
disapproves of video gaming or the use of technology for entertainment. I am
also aware there are millions of children, teens, and adults across
the globe who love video gaming and who do not experience any
problems related to gaming.
The vast majority of children and
teens who play video games are able to complete their school work on time, read
for pleasure, have hobbies and interests other than gaming, engage in physical
exercise, go to parties, go to the movies, date, and most importantly, have
clearly defined life goals (such as attending college or achieving a certain
type of career).
Unfortunately, there is a rather
sizable group of children and teens, perhaps as many as 10%, who struggle to
control their gaming behavior. This workbook is written for teens that have
lost control of their lives as a result of video gaming.
This workbook is written for teens who
are experiencing serious negative consequences related to gaming: school
/academic achievement problems, loss of interest in hobbies, neglecting peer and
family relationships, neglecting personal hygiene, loo of sleep, constant craving
for games, physical problems such as weight gain, conflict with parents when ANY
limit is set on gaming, and the need to constantly increase the amount of time
spent gaming.
I am a mental health professional and
a professor at the University Of Southern California School Of Social Work and
have spent the past 25 years of my life working with children and teens. Over
the last five years, I have seen a dramatic change in the way that children and
teens use gaming, and technology generally, to experience pleasure.
I have seen a disturbing trend,
especially amongst teen boys, in which gaming has become not only the focus
of their daily life, but also the purpose of their lives. I have seen
firsthand how difficult it is for parents to set limits with teens who are gaming
multiple hours per day. I have also seen how difficult it is for teens to
change their gaming habits -- even when they are fully aware of the negative
consequences of gaming.
Over the past four years multiple
books have been written on the subject of gaming. In these books the term
“addiction” has been applied to children, teens, and adults who have a relationship
with video gaming that is similar, if not identical, to the relationship people
have with drugs and alcohol. This workbook will help you understand
video game addiction and give you the tools needed to overcome gaming addiction.
How to use this workbook:
This workbook is intended to be used ONLY
with the guidance of a licensed mental health professional with expertise in
the area of video game addiction and technology addiction (surfing the
Internet, social media sites, YouTube, eBay, e-mail, etc.). This workbook is intended
to be used during individual, family, and group therapy. Working within a group
format has been proven to be extremely effective for dealing with substance (cocaine,
alcohol, marijuana) and behavioral addictions (gambling and shopping).
By using this workbook within a group
format, you will be able to share your experience with video gaming with peers
who understand your relationships to gaming. Also, by being in a group with
peers who are having difficulty controlling their gaming, you will be able to
receive constructive feedback about your efforts to change your behavior -- as
well as emotional and social support that will make changing your behavior more
successful.
You will meet one time per week in a
teen group for 1.5 hours. Typically your group will cover one chapter of this workbook
per meeting. The average time spent completing this workbook is 16 weeks. You
will also meet twice per month on an individual basis with the therapist
running your group and participate in family therapy sessions twice per month.
Your parents will be provided with a
similar workbook and they will meet on a weekly basis for 1.5 hours with a
group of parents. It is expected that your parents will complete one chapter
per group session and will participate in family therapy sessions.
The journey you are about to start
with your family will be challenging – and there will be times when you will
want to quit and get back to gaming full time. There will be times when you
will say that you have never had a problem gaming – and that the only problem you
have is your parents telling you to change.
This workbook was not written to
convince you that you have a problem – but rather to help you understand that your
relationship to gaming may be interfering with your own goals. The
choice to change will ultimately be yours: this workbook will provide you with
the knowledge and skills to make changes should you decide that you want
something more from your life than gaming can offer.
As would follow, this workbook was
written with the intention of helping you understand your relationship to video
gaming -- without offering judgment, criticism, or blame. This workbook
was written to help avoid arguments about video gaming. I have found that arguing about the good and
the bad of gaming will not move you or your family in a positive direction.
Finally, this workbook was written
with the belief that every teen has the ability to make changes in their relationship
to video gaming. The process of making change may be difficult, but you
have the power to change, expand, and improve your life!
No comments:
Post a Comment