ADHD & Video Games: The Positive and The Addiction
The Positive:
Looking for a way to increase your child’s self-esteem?
Lots of parents of children with ADHD are. And now, here’s a simple way, according to one study, that is. Let them enjoy those playing those video games now and then.
That’s right! According to a study commissioned by Pop Cap, an online gaming company, playing casual video game playing can not only improve a child’s self esteem, but also his attention span, and memory. In addition, it can also help to relieve stress!
The study looked at more than 13,000 casual game players. Of these nearly 3,000 of the respondents said that they – or someone in the care – had ADHD.
Surprised? Perhaps you really shouldn’t be, explains Dr. Carl Arinoldo. He’s a psychologist in Stony Brook, New York. “It seems that children with ADHD often lack that sense of control that comes much more easily to their non-ADHD peers,†he says. “Playing casual games . . . is one area in their lives in which these children can experience some sense of control with the added benefit of achieving success in something.â€
And that, he explains, serves “to enhance the child’s self-concept and self-esteem.â€
Check out the entire article here.
The Negative:
The study above was commissioned by an online game company. I can’t say that I’ve read the study to let you know if there are biases in it. The fact that it was funded by a gaming company does suggest a bias.
That said, the conclusion makes sense – for a CASUAL gamer – playing games can increase self esteem.
What about the negative?
It is a general trend in our society that kids are spending more time in front of a screen (i.e. TV, computer, gaming system) than they ever have in history. Kids don’t just go outside to ride bikes or play with friends as they used to. There is a clear increase in childhood obesity – which is likely related to this.
How does this relate to kids with ADHD?
Video games are very stimulating – and thus are much easier to pay attention to than school work. Connecting with people online can be much easier than doing so in real life. Kids can be more defiant with their parents when they don’t want to turn the game off for fear of losing their progress on ‘this level’.
The biggest problem in this area for kids with ADHD is the overuse of video games.
In fact, video games can actually become addictive, and show the classic symptoms of addiction – i.e. tolerance, dependence and continuing despite harmful consequences.
Tolerance: This refers to the fact that the same amount doesn’t produce the same response. In alcohol, this could be that the 4 drinks doesn’t make you drunk anymore –and you ‘graduate’ to 6 drinks. Just ask any active (addicted gamer) if they would like to take more time to play whenever they can…
Dependence: This refers to feelings of withdrawal if one cannot have access to the addicted substance. In alcohol, one can go through a physiological withdrawal. In video games, if one is a gamer – of many hours per day – if the video game system goes off (due to damage to it, or parental restrictions), addicted players get angry, feel lost, and may have sadness or acting out behavior.
Harmful Consequences: This refers to negative consequences coming directly as a result of the addiction, but the person ignores them. In alcohol, it could be charges for driving under the influence, losing one’s job, etc. In video games – it can be failing school, getting into fights with friends or family, or losing motivation towards one’s goals.
Are all video games addictive?
All video games can be addictive.
Ones which are particularly concerning are the very long, involved ones – such as ‘World of Warcraft’.
Here is a youtube video which describes this:
The Bottom Line:
Casual video games can be fun and can build self esteem and increase social interaction.
Moderate video game usage can have its negative aspects - i.e. poor social interaction, more defiance, less time of physical activity and more defiance.
Excessive video game usage can lead to addiction – and isimilar to other addictions, one has to get away from the addiction, and receive treatment. In the same way an alcoholic can’t have just ‘one drink’, someone addicted to video games has to take a complete break, and not just play for ‘one level’.
It is clear that video games are here to stay. In recent years, video game earnings are getting close to those of Hollywood.
Please share your take on this issue below.
Best,
Dr. Kenny
Technorati Tags: video games, ADHD, addiction, World of Warcraft
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Written by Dr. Kenny Handelman - The ADHD Doctor
To find get a FREE special report on ADD/ADHD Medication, visit: Medication Mastery
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August 7th, 2008 at 11:41 pm
Dr. Kenny:
Did the report give an indication of what constitutes casual, moderate and excessive gaming?
Thanks.
Chris
August 8th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
Some people say that playing online games such as World of Warcraft is a waste of time, I think those people have never played it. Of course some people are addicted, but they enjoy playing the game…
August 12th, 2008 at 8:06 am
Thank you for putting up this post.
This is something that I am continually battling with my son who has ADHD and Asperger’s Syndrome. As mentioned above the upside is that he feels connected with ‘friends’ that he can enter into a useful entity within the game where it is ‘us’ against ‘them’. Lots of stimulation - over stimulation in my opinion - so much so that he becomes angry and hostile if asked to stop playing the game. Even when it is a pre-set, agreed upon time, by him.
Yes I feel that my son is becoming addicted to gaming. He’s starting highschool, grade 9, in a few weeks and I’m concerned regarding the future battles we will be having regarding the decreased amount of gaming time he will be having due to school work load. I’m trying very hard to make limits/boundaries with schedules and time allowances, but I’m constantly the watchdog - the bad guy, who puts an end to all his ‘fun’.
Someone suggested doing a reward type credit system so that for work/alternate activities done there are credit rewards that are used for gaming time. Anyone used this? Find any success?
August 25th, 2008 at 5:55 pm
Kids often spend far too much time playing video games. But parents, can set limits and also encourage the use of games that may promote learning executive skills. The key point is for parents or teachers to engage kids in thinking about what they are doing while playing video games and then connecting those thinking strategies to the real world. Obviously many games are not sutied to this approach. We discuss many games and other digital technologies that may be helpful to kids at learningworksforkids.com. I would strongly encourage parents to know what games their kids are playing and to be able to communicate about their game play.
October 3rd, 2008 at 9:54 am
Games can help children - but gaming time needs to be managed correctly.
I have 3 kids, my son has Aspergers. We recently bought Rock Band, and it has brought my kids an interest in music (my son loves the drumming, whereas the girls love the guitar).
They are allowed to game for fairly short periods and when chores are done. Games for them have resulted in improved hand-eye coordination and a love of music - so much so that my son is now learning ‘real’ drums and my daughters are learning guitar and keyboard.
The media are too quick to jump on videogames - when managed correctly they have have a positive influence.