Stephanie Diez first learned of gaming disorders as a social worker years ago.<\/p>\n
It was 2010, and the first iPhones were becoming more popular. She began to see a connection between clients recovering from substance abuse later addicted to gaming and technology.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the biggest reasons gaming can be problematic is that they use it as a form of escapism,\u201d said Diez, a professor at Pennsylvania Western University\u2019s Edinboro campus and director of its Masters of Social Work program. \u201cThey turn to gaming and it\u2019s a maladaptive coping strategy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Since then, the disorder has been researched more, and has only become more prevalent.<\/p>\n
In addition to her work at PennWest, Diez founded Reboot & <\/a>Recover<\/a>, a nonprofit dedicated to education, prevention, treatment and research regarding technology-driven behavioral health concerns.<\/p>\n The American Psychiatric Association<\/a> reports nine symptoms of Internet gaming, which are: preoccupation with gaming, withdrawal when gaming is not possible, tolerance, inability to reduce or stop gaming, giving up other activities to gaming, continuing to game despite problems, deceiving others about the amount of time spent on gaming, using gaming to relieve negative moods and risking life responsibilities due to gaming.<\/p>\n Researchers estimate video game addiction affects between 1.7% and 10% of the U.S. population, according to the Cleveland Clinic.<\/p>\n \u201cWith adolescents, one of the biggest challenges is that it impacts the development when it comes to sleep deprivation or behavior development,\u201d Diez said.<\/p>\n And with advancements in technology and artificial intelligence, the disorder could become more prevalent.<\/p>\n Diez points to apps or games that have time-sensitive challenges or rewards that contribute to addiction.<\/p>\n