VRChat Addiction

VRChat addiction is real, and can be extremely destructive. For many people, playing VRChat is a hobby, albeit one that can tend to capitalize a extensive amount of time. However, recent developments within the mental health field could mean that there will be even more treatment options available to VRChat gaming addicts in the near future.

Even though gaming has been around for almost 50 years, VRChat is relatively new and studies about its harms are still in the early stages. Different experts have come to different conclusions about whether problem playing should be called an addiction¹1.L. Gros, N. Debue, J. Lete and C. V. de Leemput, Frontiers | Video Game Addiction and Emotional States: Possible Confusion Between Pleasure and Happiness?, Frontiers.; Retrieved September 27, 2022, from https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02894/full.

The World Health Organization added “gaming disorder” to the 2018 version of its medical reference book, International Classification of Diseases. But the American Psychiatry Association’s manual, the DSM-5, didn’t go so far, although it is rumored that Videogame addiction, and possibly even VRChat addiction may be added in future versions.

The DSM-5 contains a section to help people and doctors recognize the warning signs of problematic video games, including VRChat, as well as a list of symptoms and treatment options for VRChat addiction.

When managed appropriately, there really is no harm in playing video games. That said, VRChat does have a number of game design features that will cause you to be more at-risk of developing a problem and becoming addicted to playing. Research shows games like VRChat are significantly more addictive than other gaming titles.

One of the reasons why this happens is because the amount of time it takes to level up playing VRChat increases significantly over time, causing you to have to spend more and more hours to achieve the same experience of “leveling up”.

Problems with VRChat addiction can occur whether you play online or offline, but here is what to look out for with regard to VRChat addiction and video games in particular.

If you are a parent who is worried about how much time your child spends playing VRChat, look at how well they are doing at school and with friends. Good grades and a good relationship with parents are good indicators that playing VRChat even extensively has not yet developed into a VRChat addiction.

It can be helpful to ask yourself a few questions about your child’s potential VRChat addiction.

Do you feel your child has crossed the line between pleasure in playing VRChat and serious things like addiction or depression?

Not everyone who plays a lot of VRChat has a problem, and experts say it is harmful to call people who enjoy playing VRChat “addicted.” It is estimated that there are up to 1.5 million video game addicts in the US, but experts at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) agree that the percentage of players who meet the proposed criteria for addiction to video games is low.

The following are signs of VRChat addiction

• Thinking about playing VRChat all or a lot of the time.
• Feeling bad when they can’t play VRChat
• Needing to spend more and more time playing VRChat to feel good
• Not being able to quit or even play less VRChat
• Not wanting to do other things that they used to like
• Having problems at work, school, or home because of playing too much VRChat

Emotional Symptoms of VRChat Addiction

Some of the emotional signs or symptoms of VRChat addiction include:

• Feelings of restlessness when unable to play VRChat
• Preoccupation with thoughts of previous online activity or anticipation of the next VRChat session
• Lying to friends or family members regarding the amount of time spent playing VRChat
• Isolation from others in order to spend more time playing VRChat

Physical Symptoms of VRChat Addiction

Some of the physical signs or symptoms of VRChat addiction include:

• Tiredness
• Migraines
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Bad personal hygiene

Many parents who are concerned about their child’s VRChat addiction may first seek advice from family and friends. All to often, especially in the case of VRChat addiction such advice is useless. Many parents tend to mitigate and make excuses for their child’s excessive VRChat playing.

Parents of VRChat addicted children then tend to seek advice from family Doctors or therapists who are untrained in VRChat addiction. These people are usually well-meaning, yet they do not understand the intricacies and the addictive triggers that lurk on playing VRChat.

Many of these well-meaning people may make the wrong diagnosis and rather than diagnose VRChat addiction they may diagnose your child with Depression or Anxiety. If a doctor or therapist diagnoses your child with Depression and tries to medicate them it is essential that you get a second opinion from the Worlds Leading VRChat addiction experts.

The qualified and licensed therapists you will find at Teencounseling.com are experts in VRChat addiction and Gaming addiction generally. Their therapists assist individuals and families from all over the world with VRChat addiction. When dealing with process addiction in Young Adults it’s especially important to find the right treatment²2.H. Miner, Video game addiction and psychological distress among expatriate adolescents in Saudi Arabia – ScienceDirect, Video game addiction and psychological distress among expatriate adolescents in Saudi Arabia – ScienceDirect.; Retrieved September 27, 2022, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352853217300457.

teen and young adult counseling for VRChat addiction

VRChat Withdrawal

Many people can think and function better after quitting VRChat and gaming in general for some months. The bottom line here is that it takes time for the brain to recover from what excessive game play, chronic sleep deprivation, and social isolation do to it.

Quitting VRChat is not easy, and as with all video-games and compulsive internet use watch out for the following VRChat withdrawal symptoms:

• A feeling of emptiness, sadness, and/or loneliness
• Lack of interest in most of life’s activities, whether work or play
• Difficulty with focus, concentration and completing complex tasks
• Irritability or restlessness
• Desperate attempts to rationalize a return to VRChat
• Anxiety or depression
• Uncontrollable or variable feelings and mood swings
• Difficulty with social interactions and facing obligations
• Sleep changes, much more sleep or sleeplessness
• Feeling intensely drawn to other electronic entertainment
• Obsessive thoughts about VRChat
• Fantasies and dreams about VRChat
• Impatience and angry outbursts
• Restless, unfulfilling, taunting dreams
• Crying
• Headaches and nausea

Studies about treating VRChat addiction are in the early stages worldwide, although the experts at the Physis Recovery Gaming Clinic have been helping families for many years, overcome a variety of gaming disorders. One therapy that can help is called CBT or cognitive behavioral therapy.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for VRChat Addiction

This is mental health counseling that teaches you how to replace thoughts about gaming to help change behavior

• Preventing VRChat addiction
• To keep the amount of time spent playing VRChat under control, try these tips for adults and kids alike:
• Set time limits for playing VRChat and stick to them.
• Keep phones and other gadgets out of the bedroom so you won’t play VRChat into the night.
• Do other activities every day as well as playing VRChat, including exercise. This will lower the health risks of sitting and playing for long stretches of time.
• Make sure that your child is only playing games rated for their age