What would cause someone to get into such a binge in the first place – is it due to the way such games are designed, or are there more personal factors at play here?
Computer games particularly the newer ones offer exhilarating emotional experience. Children and adolescents who sometimes feel powerless in their daily lives are suddenly able to express themselves without the challenges of interacting with real people. Also through computer games they are able to do things which have no real life consequences or castigation. When such people are too preoccupied in computer gaming and spend long hours in their virtual world , they lose their ability to comfortably communicate with people face to face , and this can have far reaching consequences in their adult life, in their inability to develop a well-rounded personality.
Why would someone become so absorbed in a game that they do not notice their own hunger and/or fatigue that it leads to their death?
Addiction is a state in which a person engages in a compulsive behavior, even when faced with negative consequences. Computer gaming addiction is similar to the addiction experienced by gamblers, alcoholics or drug addicts. All addictions operate on the same neuro chemical basis and pathways of pleasure and reward in the brain. Similarly activities like computer gaming can produce endorphins in the brain that gives a high that is akin to that experienced by those addicted to drugs.
This behavior is then repeated to get continuous pleasure leading to addiction in certain individuals. This high can be so overpowering that such individuals do not take notice of their own hunger or exhaustion at times leading to their death as many such cases have been reported in countries in the Asia Pacific region
Of course the majority of gamers do not become addicts and perhaps no more than 10 % of regular gamers will develop an addiction to gaming.
How can parents prevent their children from getting into a state where such binges become likely?
Children must be encouraged to feel comfortable in the “real world”. Shy or socially awkward children are at greater risk of video game addiction than children who compete in sports or participate in group activities. Parents must encourage their children to participate in games and interact with family members as well as others in the community. This is sometimes a challenge as parents themselves are preoccupied with their mobile phones so they are not in a position to encourage healthy social behavior in their children.
Are there any warning signs/red flags that parents can and should look out for to suggest their child is likely to binge-game?
Parents must be alarmed when their children spend most of their non-school hours on playing video games or find their children being irritable when not engaged in a computer game. Such children would also choose to use the computer rather than seeing friends. When teachers complain that the child does not complete homework and is falling asleep in school, there is a good chance that child is staying up all night playing computer games. When questioned, be prepared to hear the child lying about time spent on video games. Parents must also be watchful if their child complains of backaches or neck pain, headaches or has dry eyes. Neglecting personal hygiene and rushing through their meals should also cause alarm.
How can parents help their children constructively if they see such warning signs; is there any way parents can address the issue without making it worse?
Treating computer games addiction is a challenge because a computer is essential for school work and is widely available. To ensure restricted gaming great effort by the parents and strong discipline by children. Parents must bring children who exhibit warning signs to a Clinical Psychologist who may start the child on psychotherapy sessions. The Psychologist may also suggest alternative group activities to allow the child to express himself and to derive pleasure from interacting with real people. Such a child may at times be referred to a Psychiatrist if the Psychologist feels further therapy like medications to fight the addiction may be required. Ultimately, parents must lead by example.
Dato’ Dr Andrew Mohanraj
Consultant Psychiatrist & Deputy President
Malaysian Mental Health Association
Dr. Andrew Mohanraj 