Assessment of Problematic Gaming or Addiction

 

If you are concerned that you or someone close to you may suffer from problematic gaming or gaming addiction, an important first step is to assess the significance of the problem. There are a number of tools for problematic gaming that have been developed by mental health researchers based on scales used for other behavioural addictions such as gambling. Unfortunately these are generally not made available to the public, but you can access a useful questionnaire based on these tools here.

The following table has been developed based on symptoms identified across multiple studies investigating assessment and diagnostic criteria for problem gaming, and indicates the differences between a gamer who has a high level of engagement with gaming, one who exhibits problematic gaming signs, or one who may be experiencing a full-blown gaming addiction. The symptoms are also linked to the behavioural indicators of Salience, Mood Modification, Tolerance, Withdrawl Symptoms, Conflict and Relapse identified as core criteria for indication in studies conducted by Kuss and Griffiths. For more information about the difference between healthy but highly engaged gaming, problematic gaming and gaming addiction, please read this page first.

Please note that this table is indicative only and is no substitute for an assessment by a mental health professional, particularly one who is experienced in working with technology-related addictions or behavioural addictions in general. If you or someone you are concerned about meets a number of the criteria for Problematic Gaming or Gaming Addiction in the table below, it is important that you speak to an appropriate mental health professional about assessment and treatment options.

 

  High Engagement Problematic Gaming Gaming Addiction
Gamer plays daily, for a significant number of hours check check check
Gamer continues to enjoy gaming, and finds the time spent gaming to be satisfying and rewarding, and may experience an elated mood or sense of escape (Mood Modification) check check uncheck
Gamer can lose track of time while gaming (Mood Modification) check check check
Gamer neglects other life responsibilities or priorities in order to play games, including: neglecting work, study, relationships, socialising, sleeping, eating, hygiene (Conflict) uncheck check check
Gamer becomes preoccupied with gaming when not playing, and may think, talk and even dream obsessively about gaming (Salience) uncheck check check

Gamer sometimes plays for longer than intended, causing problems in other areas of the gamer's life, or needs to play for longer periods to achieve the same sense of satisfaction that was previously attained by playing for shorter periods (Tolerance)

 uncheck check check
Gamer may lie to friends or family about the amount of time spent gaming (Conflict) uncheck check check
Gamer experiences irritation, low mood, anxiousness or depression when not playing games (Withdrawal symptoms) uncheck uncheck check
Gamer no longer enjoys time spent playing, and may play because of a sense of being bored, not knowing what else to do, or feeling compelled to play (Tolerance, Mood Modification) uncheck uncheck check
Gamer struggles to control time spent playing, and may play even when doing so causes significant relationship, work or financial stress (Conflict, Relapse) uncheck uncheck check