Uzi Ben-Ami, PhD, is a Maryland-based psychologist, experience with cognitive behavior therapy and mindfulness therapy techniques. Operating out of his home office, Uzi Ben-Ami, PhD, draws upon more than 35 years of relevant experience in helping individuals cope with and overcome a variety of issues, including internet and video game addiction of young children, teens and young adults.
While addiction has been historically connected to drugs or alcohol, more and more people are having unhealthy relationships with the use of internet, and video games. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) recently recognized video game addiction as a mental disorder, a decision that was made based on the consensus from experts across a variety of fields. Gaming disorder, as it is referred to by WHO, can be diagnosed if an individual's behavior pattern and relationship with video games negatively affects their social, educational or occupational responsibilities, or their relationships with friends and family.
According to Dr. Nicholas Kardaras, addiction psychologist and author of Glow Kids, video games are created to entice and hook children from a young age. Moreover, playing video games raises the brain's dopamine levels to create 'a high' that is similar to result of drug use. Kardaras also contends that excessive gaming can compromise children's executive functioning, making them more impulsive. Brain imaging research backs up this notion.
While addiction has been historically connected to drugs or alcohol, more and more people are having unhealthy relationships with the use of internet, and video games. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) recently recognized video game addiction as a mental disorder, a decision that was made based on the consensus from experts across a variety of fields. Gaming disorder, as it is referred to by WHO, can be diagnosed if an individual's behavior pattern and relationship with video games negatively affects their social, educational or occupational responsibilities, or their relationships with friends and family.
According to Dr. Nicholas Kardaras, addiction psychologist and author of Glow Kids, video games are created to entice and hook children from a young age. Moreover, playing video games raises the brain's dopamine levels to create 'a high' that is similar to result of drug use. Kardaras also contends that excessive gaming can compromise children's executive functioning, making them more impulsive. Brain imaging research backs up this notion.
