Internet and Gaming
You may have an Internet gaming addiction when you spend so much time playing online games or on the Internet that it affects your daily life. Any device that has internet access can be addictive, such as smartphones or tablets. This problem is most common among young adults.
How does it affect you? If you become addicted to games or using the Internet, your grades could drop, you are unable to go to work, your relationship with family becomes strained, you sleep poorly, you don't feel like eating, and you feel depressed or angry.
Help is available
It's not weak to ask for help to overcome your excessive gaming or Internet use. Treatment is available to help you recover and get your life back on track. The sooner you seek help the better.
Our multi-disciplinary team of specialists provides comprehensive assessment and treatment for those addicted to internet/ gaming, or show signs of risk.
When your child crosses the healthy limit playing internet and computer games, he needs professional help to stop his internet/gaming addiction from ruining his life. Here in NAMS, treatment is tailored to the child’s needs with the support of the family which is an important part of the recovery process. We also have support groups for the parents of adolescents who are addicted to internet gaming.
Signs and symptoms of excessive internet use/gaming
- You have problems reducing your use of the Internet;
- You crave spending more time on your digital device;
- You become aggressive, depressed or irritable without your digital device;
- You spend less time with your family;
- You lie to your family about what you do;
- Your sleep is affected, you don’t eat regularly and you don’t shower as often;
- You are tired in class and you can’t concentrate;
- You don’t do your school/work;
- You are absent from school or work.
Consequences of excessive internet use/gaming
- Physical
- Migraines
- Sleep disturbance
- Backaches
- Eating irregularities
- Poor personal hygiene
- Psychological
- Inattention
- Aggression
- Restlessness and irritability
- Preoccupation with games even when not playing
- Loss of interest in other activities
- Social
- You neglect personal relationships
- Isolation from family and friends
- Difficulties in engaging in real world communication
- Social awkwardness
- Poor performance in school
To learn more, you may download our educational brochures.
Tools for Adults & Adolescents
If you are concerned about your internet use, take this test. It doesn’t diagnose that you have an internet problem. However, if you score more than 30, you may wish to speak to a professional to discuss the results of your test.
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| Internet/Gaming - Internet Addiction Test (IAT) This tool is used to screen for the addictive use of internet. (This tool has been removed as its copyright has recently been licensed, you may purchased it from stoeltingco.com.) |
