Computer addict? Not me!
Janine Berdelmann studied social sciences and completed her traineeship in the editorial team. She is the author of numerous science news and advice topics on .
More about the experts All content is checked by medical journalists.Who wouldn't want to be a successful strategist or a popular singer? What often seems unattainable in your "normal" life is immediately possible when playing computer games. It's most fun when you meet up with your friends in virtual worlds and experience exciting adventures there. But be careful: an addiction can develop from a harmless hobby.
Harmless hobby or addiction?
For most of your age, computer gaming is just one hobby of many. In addition to "real" football games and bike tours with your best friends, "daddling" or "gambling" hardly takes up any time. Nevertheless, playing on the computer is a thorn in the side of many parents. You may be skeptical because such games, especially shooting games, did not exist in their youth. But you may actually be overdoing it and really spending too much time on the PC.
You will probably react rather irritably to comments like "Now let the box stand" or "You are already addicted". In this way, conflicts gradually arise. If a spiral develops out of this, for example because you want to escape the constant stress with your parents or even in school in the virtual world, you become addicted to computer games faster than you would like. Because in the virtual world you can be a hero, it confirms you and gives you support.
Computer addiction is a sub-form of behavioral addiction that the World Health Organization recognizes as a "real" disease. But how do you even know whether your gaming behavior is still within normal limits or whether you are perhaps already addicted?
This is how you recognize an addiction
Basically, each child or adolescent must be checked individually to determine whether the use of computer games is questionable. For example, it is important why you play, when you play, how often and for how long you stay at your PC. But that's not all: it also plays a role in how much computer games keep you from other leisure activities or even affect your school performance. Because, as with any addiction, the dose you need just keeps getting bigger. Some even neglect personal hygiene because of all the fiddling. Physical fitness also suffers from spending hours squatting in front of the PC. The more the use of the computer affects your real life, the more you isolate yourself from your friends. Addiction makes you lonely. A vicious circle begins.
Incidentally, this also applies to social media - although experts disagree on whether it is a real addiction. If you spend so much time on Instagram, WhatsApp and Co. that you neglect friends and school, you should always voluntarily take a few days off or limit your use to just one hour per day. If you can't do that, you should get help.
Addicted - what now?
Anyone who spends their “life” predominantly in the virtual world needs help. It often helps if you first turn to your parents and ask them to help you find a way out of the addiction spiral. Together with your parents you can, for example, look for a facility that specializes in the therapy of computer addicts.
Facilities such as addiction aids or specialized clinics now have a whole range of offers for PC addicts. The first and most important step out of addiction, however, is to admit to yourself that you have a problem. Don't hesitate too long - after all, real life is waiting for you!
You can find more information and help here:
- You can always call the nationwide "Addiction & Drugs Hotline" and get advice there: 01805 - 31 30 31
- You can also find information on the subject of "being online with moderation and fun" as well as a database in which you can search for advice centers in your area at http://www.ins-netz-iegen.de/
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