BOLZANO. Hours and hours at the computer or with the smartphone in hand to, for example, make the ant fall into the hole or prevent the load from being released from the crane. In Alto Adige in 2023, 122 young people between the ages of 12 and 25 were followed. 60% of the total suffer from video game addiction (gaming disorder). A disorder that takes over other interests in life. Structured interviews and specific tests are essential for diagnosis.
The ones who lose out especially are the very young who turn their brains off in doing so. Oskar Giovanelli – psychologist and psychotherapist, coordinator of the YoungHands clinic – knows this very well. «From 2019 to today the number of people in treatment has tripled. We went from 48 to 122.” The issue was discussed yesterday at a conference in Politermica, in Zona. Giulia Tomasi, psychologist from Ama in Trento, also spoke. «Internet abuse causes five addictions – says Giovanelli – to social networks, shopping, gambling, pornography and video games. This latest pathology is recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO).”
In half of the cases it is the families who come forward and ask for help, rarely do the children
because the younger the age, the less awareness. «For the other half we receive reports from social services, juvenile court, schools – this usually happens when too many absences accumulate – and also child neuropsychiatry».
The alarm bells
What are the warning signs? «The subjects progressively increase the amount of time dedicated to video games, but what is worrying is the withdrawal from other activities. Let me explain better… if a young man or woman spends hours on the Internet but the next day they go to the beach with friends, I can’t say there is a problem.” The case is different when a form of social withdrawal manifests itself with virtual gaming which becomes an absolute priority, Giovanelli continues, «to the detriment of other commitments and responsibilities. I think of the drop in performance, the abandonment of school, of friends. You don’t sit at the table with your family, you become increasingly irritable and aggressive. Especially if play is prevented.”
The dopamine effect
Dopamine is also to blame. «As with drug addiction, video games release an addictive neurohormone. To achieve satisfaction and success the game becomes more and more difficult, it increases in level, more attention is needed. But all this translates into anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and social phobia.”
How do you get out of it?
«We talk to the kids, we encourage the analogue experience. Let’s let the emotions out. We ask them what they do in their free time, if they leave the house, do they play sports. We have activated educational projects… I’m thinking of archery, climbing, mountains, etc. We also intervene at family level. Parental involvement – especially for younger children – plays a central role and contributes to the success of treatment. The goal of therapy is to improve social skills and emotional management. Group and individual offers support young people and help them to change and get out of their situation.”
The confusion
Gaming disorder and Hikikomori syndrome are often confused. In fact, both disorders show similar characteristics, such as the desire to stay at home and a change in the sleep-wake rhythm. However, only 30% of Hikikomori (Japanese for “withdrawn”) use the Internet excessively. While immersion in the virtual world is central to gaming disorder, Hikikomori withdrawal is often the result of social difficulties. Gamers tend to focus on a specific game, Hikikomori use various games and avatars, their identity is less defined. «To help people get out of it, it is essential to identify the type of addiction»