How Addicted are you to Video Games?

Video Games are obviously addicting, if they weren't, not as many people would play them, as well as keep playing them, but how addicting are they?

Experts are starting to compare video game addiction to cumpulsive gambling. And boys are more addicted to video games than girls are. 

Here are some symptoms of game addiction - the more of these symptoms you can identify, the greater the need to get professional help:

• Most non-school hours are spent on the computer or playing video games
• Falling asleep in school
• Falling behind with assignments
• Worsening grades
• Lying about computer or video game use
• Choosing to use the computer or play video games, rather than see friends
• Dropping out of other social groups (clubs or sports)
• Being irritable when not playing a video game or being on the computer

There also are physical symptoms that may point to addiction:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Sleep disturbances
• Backaches or neck aches
• Headaches
• Dry eyes
• Failure to eat regularly or neglecting personal hygiene

After reading these symptoms it is almost scary to think that video games can lead to all of these things. So, if you LOVE video games, I would recommend being in control of yourself and how many hours spent playing video games, don't let the games control you.  

Some tips for not letting you get too addicted would be to have your game console somewhere other than your room, so when  you are studying or trying to sleep you do not get side tracked by the video games. Make sure you monitor your time spent on video games, and don't let them get in the way of your social life, or your job whether that is school or a career.