1. What is gaming and internet addiction?
Gaming and internet addiction is a growing problem facing today's society that is plaguing many families, couples, and individuals both young and old. Gaming and internet addiction not only threatens the psychological well-being of individuals, but quite possibly the entire social fabric and as we know it. This psychological disorder is defined as uncontrolled game or internet-related behavior which interferes with or impairs normal functioning, and causes severe emotional distress for the individual, their family, friends, or their loved ones. Game and internet addiction can also disrupt one's academic performance, or their job performance. Game and internet addicts typically and unwittingly make cyberspace the top priority in their daily lives. In effect, the game or internet becomes their primary organizing structure, and the sufferers of these addictions are frequently willing to sacrifice most everything else in order to preserve and continue their unhealthy behavior. Thus, the debilitating process of game and internet addiction becomes both self-perpetuating and self-defeating.

2. How does a person know if he/she is an game or internet addict?
As a relatively new problem, game and internet addiction has not yet been included in the DSM. However, there are recognized behavioral patterns that assist in formulating a diagnosis. These behaviors include: compulsive use of game systems or the Internet, preoccupation with online activities, lying or deceiving others regarding the extent or nature of your game or online behavior, and lastly, the inability to restrict or limit the amount of time that one spends playing games and being online. The question to ask oneself is: Does your game or internet use interfere with your life in any way, shape, or form? Does it impact your relationships, your family life, your work, or your schoolwork? If the answer to any of these questions is "yes", then chances are you may have a problem. In addition, if you find that you are using the Internet or gaming as a means to regularly alter your mood you may be developing a problem. It is not so much the actual frequency of sessions or time spent online or playing games that determines whether or not you have a problem, but rather how the time that you do spend impacts your life.

3. What are the causes of gaming and internet addiction? How does it develop?
The study of gaming and internet addiction is still relatively new. The etiology of this affliction is conceived to be very similar to that of other common types of addictions. In a nutshell, gaming and internet addicts find that the experience of being online provides a high, and they then become dependent on this high in order to feel "normal". Gradually, over time, the person's unhealthy relationships become substituted for their healthy ones, and they prefer to seek the immediate gratification available online and playing games - instead of the deeper qualities found in normal healthy relationships. While the game or internet addict struggles to control his/her behavior, they often experience frustration over their failure to do so. The addictive cycle continues as their loss of self-esteem grows, fueling the need to escape even deeper into their compulsive behavior. The game and internet addict is left with an overwhelming sense of hopelessness and despair.

4. What are the different types of game and internet addiction?
There is an extremely wide range or broad spectrum of behaviors related to gaming and internet addiction. Pornography and cybersexual addictions are perhaps the most common type, due most likely to the widespread availability of sexual content on the Internet. Those involving interactive online applications are recognized as another primary subtype of Internet addiction. These applications include: "chat", "IMing" (instant messaging), message boards/discussion forums, "blogs", as well as virtual reality gaming. MMOs (Massively Multiplayer Online games) are quickly gaining popularity and this is reflected in the increasing numbers of players seeking help for their compulsive playing habits. Lastly, applications such as eBay and other online shopping sites, online gambling, and online stock trading are all recognized as important subtypes of Internet addiction.

5. Are there gender differences involved in Internet addiction?
There appear to be gender differences influencing the types of game and internet applications preferred by men and women. Generally speaking, men are more likely to become addicted to online pornography, online gaming and gambling, while women are more likely to become addicted to chatting, instant messaging, "blogging"/MySpace, and online shopping/eBay.

6.What are the treatment options available to those who suffer from gaming and internet addiction?
At present, the most common or popular forms of treatment for gaming and internet addiction include individual psychotherapy or counseling as well as support groups. Treatment plans generally employ cognitive-behavioral strategies supported by psychoeducation and bibliotherapy, and are aimed at reducing and controlling the compulsive behavior and achieving moderation. In addition, a comprehensive psychosocial approach is taken to address the fundamental underlying problems in a person's life which created the need to use the gaming or online behavior as a mean of coping or psychological escape in the first place. A "harm reduction" is approach is seen as preferable over total abstinence in the treatment of these addictions because of the ever-growing shift in the structure of society to perform personal and business functions online. Our reliance on computer applications to perform our "routine" daily functions (e.g. bill-paying) will continue to grow over time.

Summary
Gaming and internet use can bring tremendous rewards in the form of multiple learning benefits, entertainment, work efficiencies and more. However, gaming and internet use becomes problematic when it interferes with the health and well-being of the individual and family, or when the user feels a loss of control over their ability to freely choose to engage in the activity. When gaming and internet use becomes a way to disengage from life, or is compulsive, then we can classify the behavior as an addiction and treat it accordingly.

Source
We gratefully acknowledge that Internet Addiction Help provided most of this information. Please visit them at www.internetaddictionhelp.com.

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