The American Medical Association is currently lobbying for gaming addiction to be added to the American Psychiatric Association’s diagnostic manual for mental illnesses, according to an article on msnbc.com, which states, “The telltale signs are ominous: teens holed up in their rooms, ignoring friends, family, even food and a shower, while grades plummet and belligerence soars. The culprit isn’t alcohol or drugs. It’s video games, which for certain kids can be as powerfully addictive as heroin, some doctors contend.” (Tanner, 2007)

A study conducted at the Minnesota School on Professional Psychology of Argosy University makes the depth of the problem even more clear. Researchers surveyed over 600 adolescents and concluded that one in five adolescents were “dependent” on computer games or gaming consoles. In addition, those who exhibited signs of gaming addiction “revealed more reports of involvement in physical fights in the last year, more arguments with friends and teachers, higher hostile attribution scores, and lower grades.” (Hauge, Gentile, 2003)

Believe it or not, gaming addiction, which encompasses addiction to gaming systems, computer games, online games or online gambling, has even been responsible for at least three well-documented deaths. BBC News reported that a 28 year old South Korean man died of heart failure from exhaustion after a 50 hour gaming marathon. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4137782.stm) An article in the Washington Post states that 10 South Koreans died during 2005 due to game-addiction related causes (Faiola, 2006), and the Shanghai Star newspaper reported a similar death of a Taiwanese man who played non-stop for 32 hours. (http://app1.chinadaily.com.cn/star/2003/0501/vo2-4.html)

In response to this growing problem, clinics specifically intended for the treatment of gaming addiction have been created in China, South Korea, the Netherlands and the U.S., according to an article on gamespy.com. (Kuo, 2006)

The University of California at Berkeley’s website states, “Online gaming addictions are triggered by individuals’ needs to substitute real-life human connections, which they are unable to achieve normally.” The site adds that addicts use the game “to get specific gratifications such as personal identity, personal relationships, and diversion. These gratification needs can stem from low self-esteem, lack of personal relationships, and dissatisfaction with life.” (Chan, 2006)

Fortunately, there’s a readily available tool that can improve self-esteem and personal relationships: hypnosis. As an article in the journal American Chronicle states, self- hypnosis can improve self-esteem and personal relationships through replacing critical thoughts in the subconscious with a positive self-image, increasing confidence and self-acceptance, and inducing positive thinking. (Ibadov, 2009)

As CBS News reported, anxiety and depression are also an underlying cause of gaming addiction; addicts “game to escape from real-life problems, anxiety or depression.” (Clark, 2006) Fortunately, hypnosis is also a very effective treatment for anxiety and depression. A study in the Journal of Clinical Psychology showed that hypnotherapy in notably increased patients’ levels of serotonin and beta endorphin, which greatly decreased their anxiety and depression. (Domangue, Margolis, Lieberman, Kaji, 1985)

Gaming addiction is a problem that has far-reaching consequences but it can only be treated properly if the underlying issues that cause it are treated as well. Fortunately, hypnosis is a safe, effective, readily available and cost-efficient solution for both the causes and symptoms of gaming addiction.