Gamers With a Gaming Problem Need Help With Addiction Recovery
A gamer is a person who plays interactive games, whether they’re video games, tabletop role-playing games, skill-based card games, or something else entirely. They play for extended periods of time and typically have a passion for the game they’re playing. Some gamers identify as having a gaming problem and need help with addiction recovery.
A lot of different categories exist to try to categorize gamers, but the most famous is Richard Bartle’s gamer taxonomy. He grouped gamers into 4 types based on their dedication to gaming, the primary type of game they play, and other factors. Achievers earn gold and XP, socializers carouse with friends, explorers scour the world of the game, and killers raise hell.
Gamers spend a lot of time practicing and perfecting their skills. Competitive video games require hand-eye coordination, fast reflexes, and quick decision making. Great gamers can think several steps ahead, anticipating where their opponents will be and what they’ll do next. They also work to improve their strategy in each new game they play. Many gamers wish to go pro and make gaming their career, much like Michael Jordan did with basketball.
The escapism that some gamers find in gaming can create problems, especially when they don’t have the emotional maturity or coping skills to deal with real-life difficulties. Escapers may turn to gaming as a way to distract themselves from their own life and struggle with low self-esteem. This can lead them to seek out an online gaming community that validates their badass status. They become highly attached to their online gaming community and often neglect school or work, leading their grades to decline over time.
Some gamers can become extremely critical of the people around them, claiming that everyone who doesn’t like their style of gameplay is a hater. They can also be extremely aggressive in multiplayer games, blaming others for their own failures and taking their anger out on other players. This can cause serious problems in the real world and may lead to depression or PTSD.
If you know someone who struggles with a gaming problem, it’s important to be supportive rather than judgmental. The key is to understand why they’re spending so much time gaming and how you can help them overcome it. The most effective way to do that is to talk to them and learn their perspective. This article is a great place to start.
