PUBG Addiction?????

01/9Do you play PUBG?

We aren't kidding when we say that PUBG is the one game which every person is hooked to right now. Kids and adults, everybody is either playing it or has definitely heard the buzz around it. The mania of participating in this multi-player game has spread so far that people are holding tournaments and competitions. It has become so viral that some states and schools across the country have banned playing the game altogether.

by Varsha Balakrishnan

02/9Banned in places

PUBG (Player's Unknown Battle Ground) is an entertaining game but what makes it so tricky is its plotline. It is a multi-player game where users participate in a war-like conflict. Once the characer is done away with, they can get lives to play again. So, you can play at a long stretch and there is no end to it- and that can be pretty addictive!

03/9PUBG introduces 'health reminders'

Since PUBG was attracting a lot of criticism for its interface, the makers of the game decided to introduce a new feature to the game wherein users, who had played for 6 hours at a stretch received a notification asking them to come back and play the game after a gap of 24 hours. The access to the game was blocked and they could not play it until the ban was removed. Termed 'health reminders', the concept freaked out a lot of invested players!

04/9Play your game, the healthy way!

While the concept of health reminders was soon done away with, there is no saying that you should keep a watch on how long you play PUBG, or any other game for that matter. There are ways you can ensure that your gaming session is played in a healthy way and does not turn into a deadly addiction.

05/9Addictions are on the rise!

Remember, gaming addictions and phone addictions are on the rise and more prevalent amongst teens and young adults. They might be considered harmless but they have a great deal of impact on your health. So, play your battle wisely!

06/9Identifying the problem

The very first step is identifying the problem. The tell-all signs of a gaming addiction include:

- Being stuck in the same position for a long time

- Feeling more comfortable and at-ease in the virtual video world rather than real life

- Spending money on gaming and any such additions than the necessities.

- Getting irritated when you cannot play the game, often showing depressive signs.

- Lying about how often you play the game.

- Constantly thinking of the game when you are away from the screen.

07/9When to get help?

If you relate with any of these signs, do not take it lightly. The game you love to play may be pushing you to levels of addiction. Get help at the earliest, in such a case. Also, you can make corrections to your regime and establish rules while you play to help yourself.

08/9How much time is okay?

Some people can get hooked for 8-10 hours and not get addicted, while for some, even playing for an hour can have bad effects. But, generally, the time duration which is considered safe enough is 1-2 hours every day. As long as your gaming habits do not take a toll on sleep and other commitments, it is safe for you. Anything else is borderline dangerous.

09/9Do not let the game interfere with your life

There is a difference between your virtual and real life. For addicts, it can be difficult to separate the two. It is crucial that you do not let any of the gaming environment interfere with your personal life. Plus, in gaming worlds like PUBG, things can get competitive and turn unhealthy and this makes it more dangerous than any other addiction. It impacts your decision-making skills.

(With inputs from Dr. Soumiya Mudgal, Consultant, Psychiatrist, Max Hospitals)