Although many people play on a daily basis, another topic is not discussed: How healthy is the consumption of electronic games?
The USP survey found that 28% of the 4,000 teenagers surveyed use problematic video games and meet the criteria for Internet Gaming Disorder (IJD).
TJI is a type of addictive behavior that is considered a behavioral addiction. The main symptoms are reduced control at the beginning, frequency, intensity, duration, end and context of play. increased priority (other daily activities become less important than the game); And the repetition in the game increased even with all the negative events in the routine.
Mental Health is at Risk:
According to psychiatrist Renato Silva, online resources can become a way to reduce stress and fear in real life, and young people end up gaining more satisfaction online than in reality. According to him, this is where fun can become a problem.
“Excessive use of social networks and video games can harm people’s mental health when they stop doing important activities such as eating, sleeping, studying, working, socializing and playing video games,” he explains.
Silva explains that some research shows that using video games can provide benefits, such as developing cognitive and motor skills. On the other hand, the professional says that some authors suggest that many users who use video games and the Internet show excessively strong forms of personal vulnerability, such as, for example, intolerance of frustration, social anxiety and problems with self-esteem.
The psychiatrist says there is also a possible link between codependency and mental disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder and ADHD. However, science still does not know whether Internet addiction precedes these disorders or is a consequence of them.
Symptoms in the Body:
Among the physical problems that can be caused by uncompensated video games are lack of concentration, obesity, dry eye syndrome, hearing problems and poor posture. Experts warn that the first symptoms of overexertion are joint and head pain, poor posture, sleep changes and anxiety.