Other Emotional Health Issues / Question
Published: May 14, 2008
Dear TeenHealthFX,
Im addicted to the computer and video games. I cant stay off of it. I cant concentrate on my study games, all I can think about is play, play, play, im such a slacker and a procrastinator. Im always on the computer, the tv or my ps3. Im never with my family, im just always in the basement playing,even when im doing my homework, i have MSN, and probably some game and music open. I dont study, sometimes for tests but thats it, its taking over me. I cant think straight, and my eyes feel strained. Im starting to feel guilty for this because my parents give my everything, and I dont give anything in return, I dont spend time with the, I dont get good grades, or even TRY. I feel really bad because I feel like there doing all this to make me change, and I keep telling myself and them that I will, but I never do. Please help Signed, Addicted to Video Games
Signed: Addicted To Video Games
Dear Addicted To Video Games,
TeenHealthFX thinks you have taken your first steps to effectively deal with this problem by recognizing that video game play is an addiction for you that interferes in various areas of your life and by reaching out for help. FX thinks that it is important for you to start by talking to your parents about your concern. Let them know all the ways in which playing video games is negatively impacting you, as you described above, and be clear with them that you need their help in addressing this problem.
FX thinks that it would be very helpful for you and your parents to meet with a trained mental health professional. That way, your parents can get some guidance in how they can be helpful and supportive of you, and you and your parents can come up with a plan of how to handle television and computer game usage at home considering how addicted you are feeling right now with these things. In addition, some people become wrapped up in tv or video games as an escape if there are stressors they are having difficulty coping with or if they are dealing with a mental illness, such as depression. Meeting with a trained mental health professional will not only help you to come up with solutions when it comes to tv and game-playing, but a therapist can also assess whether there are any underlying issues contributing to this addiction that need to be addressed as well.
If you live in northern
Signed: TeenHealthFX
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