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Learn more about gaming addiction
Gaming addiction, formally recognised as gaming disorder in the ICD-11, is characterised by a pattern of persistent or recurrent gaming behaviour in which control over gaming is significantly impaired, gaming takes increasing priority over other interests and daily activities, and the behaviour continues despite negative consequences. The WHO's recognition of gaming disorder in the ICD-11 reflects a growing body of evidence that for some people, gaming can become compulsive in ways that meaningfully affect health, relationships, work, and daily functioning. Gaming disorder is distinct from intensive or enthusiastic gaming, which does not involve loss of control or significant harm.
Gaming disorder exists on a spectrum. The following signs suggest the pattern has moved beyond recreational use.
Common signs
- Difficulty stopping or cutting down on gaming despite wanting to
- Gaming taking clear priority over sleep, meals, work, school, or relationships
- Continuing to game despite knowing it is causing problems in important areas of life
- Feeling irritable, anxious, or low when unable to play
- Using gaming as the primary way to manage difficult emotions, stress, or boredom
- Significant neglect of personal responsibilities or relationships as a result of gaming
Other common experiences
- Lying about or hiding the extent of gaming from family or friends
- Failed attempts to reduce or control use
- Co-occurring depression, anxiety, or social withdrawal
Gaming disorder responds to structured psychological treatment, particularly approaches that address both the compulsive behaviour and the underlying needs or emotional patterns sustaining it.
- CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) CBT for gaming disorder identifies the triggers, beliefs, and emotional drivers behind compulsive gaming and builds alternative strategies for managing the needs that gaming currently meets.
- Family therapy Family therapy is particularly useful when gaming has significantly affected relationships at home, or when a young person's gaming is best understood within their family context.
- Solution-focused therapy Solution-focused therapy directs attention toward existing strengths and what a life with more balance already looks like, helping build motivation and practical steps toward change.
- Counselling Counselling provides space to explore what gaming provides, whether belonging, achievement, escape, or stimulation, and to develop other sources of those things in daily life.
It's Complicated is a therapist-founded mental health platform connecting clients with verified practitioners across Europe and globally, in over 60 languages. We work with over 2,500 vetted therapists, with in-person availability in Berlin, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Lisbon, Vienna, and other major cities, alongside online sessions worldwide. It's Complicated is free to use, and you pay your chosen therapist directly at rates they set.
Finding a therapist who understands gaming disorder specifically, rather than treating it as a general discipline problem, makes a real difference to how useful the work is. Our matching service is built to remove that friction. You complete a short survey, our psychologists combine data-driven insights with human judgement to identify the right therapists for your situation, and you choose from a shortlist of strong candidates. You can also browse our directory directly if you'd prefer to choose yourself.
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