A lot of gaming, or a gaming problem?
Playing a lot is not the same as being addicted. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognises “gaming disorder” in its international classification of diseases (ICD-11). It describes a pattern of gaming with three features: you can’t control how much you play, gaming takes priority over other interests and daily life, and you keep going despite clear harm. It would normally have been going on for at least 12 months and be seriously affecting family, studies, work or friendships. WHO also says it affects only a small proportion of people who game.
Signs worth taking seriously, in teenagers or adults:
- Gaming late into the night, then struggling to wake up for school, college or work.
- Falling marks, missed classes or deadlines.
- Strong anger, irritability or distress when asked to stop.
- Losing interest in friends, sport or hobbies offline.
- Spending money on in-game purchases without permission, or more than planned.
- Lying about how long they play.
- Skipping meals, washing or sleep to keep playing.
What often sits underneath
Gaming is often a way of coping with something else: anxiety, low mood, loneliness, bullying, exam pressure or problems at home. ADHD can also play a part. Good help looks at these too, not just the screen time. It also helps to understand why games are so absorbing: many reward you at unpredictable moments, connect you with friends, and make stopping feel like losing progress. Knowing this can make the struggle feel less like a personal failing. Problem technology use is taken seriously in India: NIMHANS in Bengaluru has run a clinic for healthy use of technology since 2014.
How counselling helps
- A careful assessment of gaming habits, mood, sleep, school or work, and family life.
- Motivational interviewing (MI): helping the person find their own reasons to change, rather than being forced.
- Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT): understanding triggers, setting realistic limits, and planning what to do instead.
- Family sessions: for teenagers, agreeing on rules and routines together so it doesn’t become a daily battle.
- Treating anything else going on, such as anxiety, depression or ADHD. A psychiatrist may be involved here, and our ADHD page explains assessment.
For parents: what helps at home
- Stay calm and curious. Ask what they enjoy about the game. Understanding comes before limits.
- Avoid sudden, angry bans. Snatching a phone or unplugging a console mid-game often leads to big fights. Agree limits together and phase them in.
- Protect sleep. Keep devices out of the bedroom at night. This one change can make a real difference.
- Fill the gap. Plan time for sport, friends and family activities, not just “no gaming”.
- Model it. Children notice how adults use their phones.
- Get help early if there is aggression, threats, refusal to go to school, or signs of low mood.
Our parenting counselling page has more support for parents.
A family screen plan that works
- Agree times for gaming on school days and at weekends, and write them down.
- Agree in advance what happens if the plan is broken, so consequences aren’t decided in the middle of an argument.
- Set up parental controls and spending limits together, not secretly.
- Where possible, keep gaming in shared spaces rather than behind a closed door.
- Review the plan every week or two, and loosen it as trust builds.
- Apply some rules to the whole family, such as no phones at meals.
Be especially careful with real-money gaming and betting apps, which add money problems to the time spent. For adults, the same ideas apply: a fixed cut-off time, no gaming on work nights, and someone you trust to check in with.
Booking for a teenager
A parent or guardian can book a session for a child under 18 from their own account. Choose a provider who works with children and teenagers; our child psychologist page explains what to look for. Many counsellors see the teenager alone for part of the session and with a parent for part, and they explain at the start what stays private.
How many sessions, and online or in person?
Some families notice a difference within a few weeks of regular sessions; lasting change often takes a few months. Online sessions work well, as long as the person joins from a private room with the camera on. In-person care is needed if there is a risk of harm, or if a psychiatrist needs to examine someone.
Choosing a provider and cost
Look for providers who list addiction, or experience with children and teenagers. Fees are shown on each provider’s card below, and some offer eligible new clients a free first session. Tele-MANAS (14416, free, 24×7) can also give advice. See our addiction counselling page for other kinds of addiction.
When to get urgent help
If someone becomes violent, threatens to harm themselves, or talks about not wanting to live, call 112 or Tele-MANAS on 14416. More numbers are on our crisis resources page.
