Gaming used to be how I switched off after work, but lately I’m logging in almost automatically. I’ll tell myself it’s just for an hour, then suddenly it’s 2 a.m. I’ve put off sleep, meals, and things I actually needed to do. The worst part is that I’m not even having much fun while I’m playing. I’m mostly trying to avoid feeling bored, stressed, or guilty.
I read a bit about gaming disorder in the ICD-11, and some of the signs felt uncomfortably familiar, especially losing control and continuing even when it’s causing problems. I’m not sure whether I’m overreacting or whether this has genuinely crossed into something I should get help with. Has anyone brought this up with a doctor or therapist without feeling judged?
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The part about not even having fun anymore but still logging in really caught my attention. I’ve had that happen with other habits, where the activity becomes a way to avoid stress rather than something I’m choosing because I enjoy it.
One practical thing that helped me was setting a hard “screens off” alarm and putting the controller in another room when it went off. Not a reminder to stop, an actual stopping point with a bit of friction built in. I’d bring this up with a doctor or therapist as a behavior that’s affecting sleep and daily responsibilities, without needing to diagnose yourself first. A decent clinician should focus on helping, not judging.
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Putting the controller in another room makes sense. A simple alarm is easy to ignore when I’m already absorbed, but having to physically get up and end the session adds a useful pause.
I also like your point about describing the effect rather than trying to diagnose it. Saying that gaming is cutting into sleep and responsibilities feels much less intimidating than walking into an appointment claiming I have a disorder. A clinician can help sort out what’s behind it and what might actually work.