Gaming Addiction: A Silent Epidemic Masking Deeper Psychological Distress
In a heart-wrenching incident that has sent shockwaves across the nation, three sisters aged 12, 14, and 16 in Ghaziabad jumped from the ninth floor of their building, with police suspecting a link to 'gaming addiction'. The tragedy, stemming from a disagreement at home over their excessive online task-based Korean game, underscores a growing mental health crisis among youth, as highlighted by mental health experts.
Study Reveals Alarming Rates of Internet Addiction
A recent study conducted by the Department of Psychiatry at PGI, Chandigarh, has unveiled that 15.9 per cent of youth suffer from internet addiction, which significantly contributes to depression and anxiety. Dr. Aseem Mehra, one of the authors, emphasized that the research aims to design educational and preventive strategies to curb this rising trend. He noted that post-COVID-19, life has increasingly shifted online, with mobile phones becoming a constant companion, fostering addictive habits.
"With everything available online, people often feel less need for real human interaction, unknowingly becoming victims of addiction," explains Dr. Mehra. "Not only youth, but even younger children are now visiting clinics due to gaming addiction, which is also a part of internet addiction." The study further highlighted that internet addiction affects the brain's dopaminergic system, controlling mood and leading to repetitive behaviors that disrupt daily life.
Gaming as a Distraction from Underlying Issues
Dr. Shalini Naik, Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at PGI, asserts that gaming is merely the tip of the iceberg. "What often looks like harmless entertainment is, in many cases, a powerful distraction, an escape that conceals underlying psychological distress," she says. Problematic gaming can mask silent abuse, chronic stress, emotional neglect, and unmet needs, operating at multiple levels of a child's life.
Dr. Naik uses the term ACE to explain this phenomenon:
- A for accessibility and anonymity, amplified by AI-driven applications.
- C for convenience offered by devices like mobiles and laptops.
- E for escape from real-world problems.
She adds that digital worlds provide a fantastical refuge for adolescents, a vulnerable phase marked by intense emotions and identity formation. "Platform and application designers have mastered the science of engagement, with algorithms engineered to hook, reward, and retain users," Dr. Naik recalls, citing concerns like the Blue Whale challenge that previously alarmed India.
The Broader Impact and Need for Intervention
Dr. Hardeep Singh, additional director at the Department of Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences, Fortis Hospital, Mohali, describes gaming addiction as a loss of control, similar to other addictions. It can infiltrate personal relationships, academics, work, and finances, with up to 10% of teenagers and young adults potentially affected. "Seeking help from a mental health professional is a positive step toward regaining control," he advises.
Dr. Nidhi Chauhan, Associate Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at PGI, Chandigarh, warns that online gaming is part of excessive screen media use, a ticking bomb ready to explode. She points to factors like easy smartphone access, reduced parental supervision in nuclear families, and technological features that allow hidden activities. "Adolescence is a vulnerable phase with developing brain systems, limiting judgment of long-term consequences," she explains, noting that not all suicides stem from mental illness and that professional intervention is crucial for both children and families.
Post-Pandemic Challenges and Solutions
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated digital exposure, with classrooms moving online and screens becoming a constant presence. Dr. Priti Arun from the Department of Psychiatry, Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh, terms gaming a serious concern that reshapes how children relate to the world. "Overexposure affects neurological development, altering perception, relationships, and emotional responses," she says, emphasizing that therapy, informed parent management, and conscious relearning are essential beyond mere discipline.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recognized gaming disorder in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), validating the severity of this issue. As experts call for heightened awareness and proactive measures, this tragedy in Ghaziabad serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address the hidden psychological distress behind gaming addiction.
