r/StopGaming

Recently, I came to realize that gaming in moderation is not enough for me.

I have a full time job, a family, pets, other interests. I find that even if I game 2 hours a week, on a Saturday morning, gaming is still occupying my mind most days (creating huge cravings for it).

The issue is that I consume a lot of gaming content, specially on YouTube. I feel like I used that as a passive replacement for when I am not actively playing a game.

I noticed that this makes me much less motivated to do any of my other interests.

Anyways I stopped consuming content for a couple of days and noticed a difference, where I felt better when doing other things.

Although, it all fell down when the weekend came by, and I picked up the controller. I went on Youtube and watched something about the game I was playing. And that led to watching more videos in the following days.

I cannot seem to find the right balance for the hobby. I want to do more of the other things instead. I don't want to feel a resistance towards my other interests. I don't want gaming to occupy my mind 24/7.. It sucks...

Have you found a good balance in the hobby and your life? Or did you quit cold turkey?

it saddens me to have the idea of giving up a hobby I have for more than 25 years of my life.

I(f19) have a restrict family and my older sibiling(f24) is super fixated on my phone use that frustrates me. It doesn't change my sleeping schedule or how I study, it is though a coping mechanism for me so I do game when i'm not busy studying.

Recently, there have been a lot of gambling posts on this sub. And a lot of them is of the post->delete variety.

While I do get that gaming has been historically used for gambling and betting, it doesn't feel that natural and seems like a pretty recent trend. So, why?

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Hi everyone,

I’m a Clinical Psychologist and PhD researcher at NIMHANS, Bengaluru, India, currently conducting research on gaming addiction/excessive gaming.

The study is exploring a structured psychological intervention for people who feel that gaming has started interfering with their daily life, studies/work, relationships, sleep, or other activities.

The intervention includes around 12 sessions covering areas such as:

- Understanding gaming patterns and triggers

- Motivation for change

- Managing urges and gaming-related thoughts

- Building alternative offline activities

- Cognitive and behavioural strategies

- Digital well-being and responsible gaming

The goal is not necessarily to demand complete abstinence from gaming, but to help participants develop a healthier and more balanced relationship with gaming.

Who may be eligible?

- Age 12–28 years

- Gaming is causing significant difficulties or interference in daily life

- Willing to participate in psychological assessment and intervention sessions

- Should be an Indian

- Should not be undergoing any other therapy

The study is being conducted as a PhD research at NIMHANS and participation involves an initial assessment followed by therapy (counselling). Therapy is available in English and Malaylam.

If you or someone you know is struggling with gaming and would like to know more about the study, feel free to comment or message me. I can provide the participant information and eligibility details before you decide whether you want to take part.

This is a research study, and participation is completely voluntary.

Thank you

Didn't work out as well as I wanted it to:

I was focused on playing street fighter 3 and I was genuinely enjoying it. Excuting the combos and getting quicker on my fingers

I even bought a proper arcade stick to play with

I think once I started going online and trying to play for rank is when I started to go down the rabbit hole and get sucked in.

That's all really. To be honest, this is probably the hardest genre I'm finding difficult to put down.

I've played games like Elden Ring in the past and there atleast an ending point but seeing your skills improve at a fighting game is really addicting.

I'm at a point now where I'm not ready to quit.

I'd atleast like to be able to enjoy the games offline and without playing online but am feeling very conflicted at the moment