Have any professionals found any connection between video gaming and social anxiety? My son is 19 and spends every spare moment in high level gaming. He does go to work (for a friend) but is gaming all of his free time. He doesn't eat properly, because he won't leave the game. It is interactive and he is speaking with other gamers. He doesn't see his friends anymore. He is nervous even joining the extended family for gatherings. He is on prozac for social anxiety, but will not talk to a therapist/psychologist. He thinks that he just has to deal with mind over matter - which isn't really working well. He has been promising to sign up for on-line college classes for a year and has not followed-through.
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Connection between video gaming & social anxiety?
12/28/07 10:39am
Hey, the gaming is probably a way for him to escape social anxiety and not the cause of it. A few years ago I got into video gaming (but I've had SA since childhood)and I play all the time now. Being able to interact with people through gaming fills the void caused by the disorder. You should get him therapy. It works for SA. Don't worry about taking the game from him. If he starts to work on his anxiety he'll want to do more with his life and the gaming problem will most likely take care of itself.
12/28/07 10:44am
"Cognitive behavior therapy is the only type of therapy that has been shown to be effective in treating social anxiety disorder. This type of therapy is based on the idea that your own thoughts - not other people or situations - determine how you behave or react. Even if an unwanted situation won't change - you still have to give a presentation to management, for instance - you can change the way you think and behave in a positive way. In therapy, you learn how to recognize and change negative thoughts about yourself.
Cognitive behavior therapy may also include exposure therapy. In this type of therapy, you gradually work up to facing the situations you fear most. This allows you to become better skilled at coping with these anxiety-inducing situations and to develop the confidence to face them. You may also participate in skills training or role-playing to practice your social skills and gain comfort and confidence relating to others. You may also learn relaxation or stress management techniques."
Him staying on the meds probably isn't doing much for him at all. It might mask the extreme fear, but he won't be able to get over the anxiety on his own or he would have years ago.
4/12/08 1:16am
hi Laurie, i read your post and just thought i would comment. I actually suffer from social anxiety. I've had it ever since I can remember (just didn't know what it was for a long time). I'm a college graduate. I'm also a Licensed Massage Therapist. I'm 29, and to be completely honest I've never held a job for more than 8 months. It's not that I can't do it or I'm not smart enough. Once I start a new job I'm okay for a little while. As time goes on I start to get anxious and I don't know why. I have been on medication for close to 10 yrs now and I don't really have an answer. Maybe, I can at least give you a little insight to what it's like to go through social anxiety. I'm currently not working, and I go through cycles of depression after I leave a job because I feel like a failure. I feel like I'm letting myself and everyone around me down. I feel like most doctors feed you pills and of everything I've taken it's never completely worked. It's very depressing to look around and see other people who live successful lives and then look at myself. Right now, I'm trying to learn a new skill to see if I can get a job that doesn't require me to work with people all day. At this point, I am actually much better than I used to be believe it or not. I can do things socially and many people don't even know that I suffer from social anxiety, but to know that day after day I have to go to work and I can't leave if I start freaking out freaks me out even more. I spend most of my time on the computer. I guess it's very similar to gaming only I don't really like video games but it is on some level the same type of interaction with people (chatting at least). It calms me. I don't know why. I guess because it's something that I know I can do and I don't have that fear of not being able to do it. That sounds kind of crazy but for some reason it's logical to me. I wish you the best and hope that things turn out okay with your son. I was 20-21 when I finally went to a Dr. I just thought there was something wrong with me as a person. I didn't want people to think I was "crazy". Well, I hope some of the info. I put on here is helpful at least in understanding. I know what it's like and it's difficult and something you must face on a daily basis. If you would like to talk to me or write me that would be fine. I have never posted anything on here. I assume you can respond thru this site and I'll get it? Anyway, thank you for listening to my story. I hope it helps in some way. 
11/ 6/10 6:57pm
I have done a lot of research into SA and Depression and one thing that alot of people miss are the basics. Deficiency in Magensium is one of the big issue and casues of SA and Depression in youth. With todays highly processed diets, it is very difficult to anchieve the correct RDA for Magnesium. I have seen huge improvements in test groups using Magnesium Supplements. It can't hurt to try and compared to other SRI's the risk are basically non existant. Also, I would set a limit on the amount of game play for him. He still lives under your house and your rules. Put a 2 hour limit a day on his play. Developing social skills is a huge part of it. Rhys
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Laurie,
Common co-occuring disorders with problem and compulsive gambling include depression and ADD/ADHD among others, which may include anxiety, though my training didn't discuss this as much. This is not to say that his anxiety isn't a factor. On the other hand it appears that his gambling is currently a significant, if not primary, factor in his current lack of socialization. If he won't seek help you should. You need to find an appropriate way to deal with this and to get him to get help. Ideally that would be counseling with a therapist who is certified in working with gamblers as well as Gamblers Anonymous. There is also Gam-Anon for family members as well as counseling with a qualified therapist. You can contact the National Council on Problem Gambling (800-522-4700). Depending on what state you live in there may be a local chapter. For example the Florida Council (1-888-admit it) has a series of books (some specific to the gambler and some for the family) they will send to people. They also will pay for an initial assessment, some states pay for more... The GA website also has some great material available for purchase. I hope you find this of help and do get further help for yourself and eventually your son.
Sincerely, a licensed therapist and (nearly) certified gambling counselor
Hi Karen,
Thanks for your response, however, I was interested in video gaming, not gambling. I am wondering if years of playing video games has anything to do with the development of his social anxiety. Any idea?
Thanks for your help!
Laurie,
Sorry for the mix-up, the gambling industry calls it "gaming"... though I am still concerned about the apparent compulsive nature of his playing video games. As for it playing a role in the development of the social anxiey, it's hard to know which came first since people with social anxiety will avoid social interaction, the avoidance then reinforces the anxiety and around we go.