In life, relationships can be difficult. Many of us have experienced a partner leaving for one reason or another, but when that reason is something as trivial as video game addiction, it can be devastating and hard to understand.
In this blog post, we will share some tips on the things you can do when your wife left you because of video games and also how you can deal with video game addiction
6 Things to Do if Your Wife Leaves You Because of Video Games
Your wife has left you because of your video game addiction. Now what? The road ahead is going to be difficult, but it’s not impossible. Here are six things to help you through this tough time
- Acknowledge Your Role in the Relationship
- Reach Out for Help
- Reconnect With Your Passions and Interests
- Find a Hobby or Activity That Does Not Involve Gaming
- Make Plans for the Future Without Gaming
- Rebuild Your Relationship if Possible
Acknowledge Your Role in the Relationship
It’s important to first acknowledge your role in the relationship. Even if your wife has left you because of video games, that doesn’t mean you’re completely blameless. There are likely things you could have done differently to prevent the breakup.
Think about the things she may have complained about in the past. Were you always available when she needed you?
Did you spend too much time playing video games and not enough time with her? These are things you need to take responsibility for and own up to.
Reach Out for Help
It’s tough, and you’re going to need to lean on your friends and family during this tough time. You’re going to need to talk about what’s going on, and you’re going to need their support.
And if you don’t feel like talking to anyone you know? There are plenty of people out there who are more than willing to listen. So reach out for help, whether that’s through a support group or a professional therapist.
Reconnect With Your Passions and Interests
If your wife has left you because of your video game addiction, it’s time to start reconnecting with your passions and interests.
When you’re lost in the world of video games, it’s easy to lose sight of what’s important in life. But now is the time to start rediscovering what makes you happy.
For some people, that might mean picking up a new hobby or returning to an old one. For others, it might mean spending more time with family and friends or exploring new parts of the world.
The key is to find things that make you happy and helps you forget about the problems in your life.
Find a Hobby or Activity That Does Not Involve Gaming
You need to find a hobby or activity that does not involve gaming. This will help you take your mind off of gaming and give you something else to focus on.
It can be anything from playing sports to hiking to painting. Simply choose an activity you enjoy and stick with it.
Make Plans for the Future Without Gamin
This means no game consoles, no computer games, and no mobile games. Get rid of your Internet connection entirely if necessary. It will be challenging, but this is necessary.
The next step is to make plans for the future. Set goals for yourself and figure out what you want to do with your life. This is the time to start thinking about your hobbies and interests outside of gaming.
It’s also important to start spending more time with friends and family. Tell them you’re having a hard time and could use their help. They’ll be delighted to assist you.
Finally, if you feel that you need it, don’t be scared to seek professional assistance
Rebuild Your Relationship if Possible
The last thing you can try to do is rebuild your relationship. This will only be possible if your wife is willing to work on things with you. If she’s not interested in reconciling, then you’ll need to accept that and move on.
But if she is willing to try, then you’ll need to put in the effort to make things right. That means giving up video games for good this time.
It also means being more communicative and understanding towards your wife. Plus, it means making an effort to do things that she enjoys.
It won’t be easy, but it’s worth a shot if you want to save your marriage. Talk to your wife and see if she’s willing to work on things with you. If she is, then do whatever it takes to make things right between the two of you.
How to Deal With Video Games Addiction
Do you see yourself always going down a rabbit hole of clicking through gaming videos? If yes, don’t worry—you’re not alone.
Here are 6 simple strategies on how to deal with video game addiction
- Understand the Signs of Video Game Addiction
- Set Time Limits and Boundaries When Playing
- Find an Activity to Replace Gaming
- Recognize and Reward Progress by Celebrating Small Victories
- Connect With Supportive People
- Seek Professional Help if Necessary
Understand the Signs of Video Game Addiction
If you’re worried that you or someone you love may be addicted to video games, it’s important to first understand the signs of addiction. Here are some significant ones to be aware of:
– Feeling restless or irritable when not playing video games
– Canceling plans or obligations to play video games
– Feeling like you need to play video games for longer periods to feel satisfied
– Experiencing withdrawal symptoms, such as irritability or feeling down, when not able to play video games
If you’re experiencing any of these signs, it’s crucial you talk to someone about it. Addiction is a serious issue, and it’s best to get help sooner rather than later.
Set Time Limits and Boundaries When Playing
When it comes to video games, it’s important to set time limits and boundaries. This will help you avoid getting too sucked into the game and losing track of time.
It’s also a good idea to have a specific goal in mind before you start playing. For instance, you might want to try and beat the game within a certain number of hours.
Or, you could aim to get to a certain level or collect a certain number of items. This will help keep you focused and on track.
Find an Activity to Replace Gaming
One of the best ways to overcome an addiction is to find an activity to replace it. When it comes to gaming, this could mean anything from picking up a new hobby to hitting the gym.
If you can find something that gives you the same sense of satisfaction as gaming, it will make it that much easier to break the habit.
For example, if you’re into fitness, try signing up for a class at the local gym. Or if you’re more into creative activities, consider picking up a new craft or learning a new language.
The possibilities are endless, so find something that speaks to you and go for it!
Recognize and Reward Progress by Celebrating Small Victories
An important part of any behavior change is acknowledging and celebrating your progress. This helps you to maintain motivation while also helping you to feel good about the changes you are making.
When it comes to overcoming video game addiction, celebrating small victories can be crucial.
For example, if you set a goal to play video games for no more than two hours per day, and you are successful in sticking to that goal for one week, pat yourself on the back.
You might even want to reward yourself with something non-game related, such as watching an extra episode of your favorite TV show or going out for ice cream with friends.
Whatever you do, make sure it is something that will help you to stay motivated and on track.
Connect With Supportive People
One of the best things you can do to overcome your video game addiction is to connect with supportive people. These are people who will understand what you’re going through and will be there to support you as you overcome your addiction.
You can find these people in support groups or online forums. There are also many helpful articles and videos online that can provide you with support and advice.
Seek Professional Help if Necessary
If you feel like you’ve tried everything and you’re still struggling with video game addiction, it might be time to seek professional help.
This is something to consider if your addiction is impacting your job, school, or personal relationships.
There are several different treatment options available, so you’ll want to do some research to find one that’s right for you. Some people opt for therapy, while others go to rehabilitation centers.
There’s no wrong answer here, so long as you’re getting the help you need to overcome your addiction.
How Many Marriages End Because of Video Games?
Video game addiction has been linked to strained marriages and divorces in recent years.
While some people may think it is unlikely for a marriage to end because of video games, the reality is that this is a very common occurrence.
Divorce Online claims Video gaming is a contributing factor in about 15% of all divorces and a 2018 study found that one in five divorces involves a partner who is addicted to video games.
The study discussed the impact of the growing number of ultraviolent video games and their tendency to attract people who are already vulnerable to addiction.
These games can change the focus in marriage towards gaming rather than the relationship.
Video games also take up a lot of time, which can be detrimental to a marriage. Couples need to make sure they are actively working on their relationship and not just ignoring it in favor of playing a video game.
If a spouse is constantly playing video games, the other person in the marriage is likely to feel neglected, which can eventually lead to divorce.
In summary, video game addiction is a major issue impacting many marriages. It has been linked to depression, anxiety, anger, and a lack of quality time in the marriage.
This can lead to divorces, often because one spouse neglects the relationship to focus on their gaming habit.
Couples need to understand the risks posed by playing too many video games and work on improving their relationship.
How Many Video Game Hours Are Considered Addictive?
According to an Oxford study, playing video games for more than 21 hours per week (three hours per day) will start to negatively affect one’s wellness. Between 15 and 20 hours a week of video game play is regarded as excessive.
As discussed in this blog post, ‘Your Wife Left You Because of Video Games’, excessive video game playing can be considered an addiction when it interferes with daily activities such as family time, sleep, and work.
This typically occurs when a person plays for more than 10-15 hours per week or for longer than 3–4 hours in a row.
Additionally, if the person finds themselves ‘needing’ to play games to cope with stress and/or feel relaxed or satisfied then it is likely they have developed a video game addiction.
Therefore, any amount of gaming that surpasses these figures should raise concerns about addiction.
Is Video Game Addiction A Mental Illness?
Yes, Video game addiction is an increasingly common problem that has come to the attention of mental health experts in recent years.
This addiction is characterized by an obsessive preoccupation with video games, leading to a disruption of everyday activities.
Video game addiction is now considered a serious mental health issue and is classified as a ‘Behavioral Addiction’.
Research suggests that the level of investment, escapism, and competition that video games can offer, as well as the social connections made through online gaming, can be particularly addictive for gamers.
As such, The WHO also noted that those who have been diagnosed with a gaming condition or an addiction to video games frequently also have co-occurring mental illnesses like anxiety, ADHD, autism, or even depression.
It appears that video game addiction is indeed a mental illness that requires treatment. There is a need for further research to understand its causes and the best ways to treat them.
It is important to recognize the risks, both physical and mental, that are involved in video game addiction, and to intervene early to ensure the best outcome for the individual.
Conclusion
Ultimately, it is important to realize that life is fragile and should not be taken for granted. When we neglect our relationships and prioritize things like video games, we can lose the people closest to us.
While playing video games can provide enjoyment and distraction, it is ultimately up to you to maintain healthy relationships with your spouse and loved ones.
Invest in meaningful communication, quality time, and activities together, so you don’t have to face yet another day without the one who matters most in your life.