Gaming Addiction Case Study: 21-Year-Old Engineering Student from Navi Mumbai Whose Online Gaming Grew From Weekend Fun to 12 Hours a Day
Facing something similar? Talk to us.
Get a free, no-obligation consultation. Our clinical team will guide you or your family to the right plan.
Gaming Addiction Case Study: Patient Background
This gaming addiction case study follows Kunal (name changed), a composite example that reflects how gaming addiction commonly develops and how it is assessed and treated at Calida Rehab. The details are illustrative and do not describe any one identifiable person.
Kunal is a 21-year-old engineering student from Navi Mumbai. He lives with his parents, and his elder brother works in Bengaluru. He started with mobile games at 14, mostly after school with his cousins. At 18 he moved to a gaming PC and joined an online team that played late at night with friends he had never met. Weekend sessions became daily ones, then 10 to 12 hours a day. He began skipping lectures to protect his rank, slept from about 4 am to 1 pm, and spent around ₹70,000 over two years on in-game items, first from his pocket money and then from his mother’s saved card. In his third year he failed three subjects, and the college sent a warning about his attendance. When his father unplugged the computer, Kunal shouted and broke a monitor, and his parents brought him to Calida Rehab that week.
Before the case itself, a short note. Gaming disorder is a pattern of gaming that is out of control, takes priority over other interests and continues despite serious harm. It is recognised as a disorder in the WHO’s ICD-11 (6C51). In the DSM-5-TR, internet gaming disorder is listed as a condition that needs further study. Many people play games without harm. It becomes a problem when it takes over sleep, study, health and relationships. For related reading, see our gambling addiction case study, our adult ADHD case study and our guide to relapse in addiction recovery.
Symptoms: How Gaming Addiction Showed Up
Gaming addiction is easy to miss because it looks like a hobby, and there is no smell, no intoxication and no visible sign on the body. The signs below are common.
Signs of a harmful gaming pattern
- Gaming for much longer than planned, and not being able to stop
- Thinking about games much of the day, or planning the next session
- Needing more time, or more costly items, to feel the same satisfaction
- Irritability, restlessness or low mood when unable to play
- Repeated unsuccessful attempts to cut down
- Losing interest in friends, sport and other hobbies
- Hiding or lying about the time or money spent on games
- Gaming to escape stress, loneliness or low mood
- Continuing to play despite problems with sleep, study, work or health
Effects on life and health
- Day and night reversed, poor sleep and tiredness through the day
- Falling grades, missed exams or risk to a job
- Eye strain, headaches, neck, back and wrist pain
- Skipped meals, and heavy use of energy drinks or caffeine
- Anxiety, low mood, shame and withdrawal from people
- Arguments, anger and loss of trust at home
- Money spent on in-game items beyond what the person can afford
- In some people, thoughts that life is not worth living
Signs the pattern is getting more serious
- Gaming through the night on most days
- Missing exams, classes or work to play
- Using a parent’s card or taking money without permission
- Anger or outbursts when asked to stop
- No friends outside the game, and neglect of hygiene or meals
In this case: Kunal said gaming was the one place where he felt skilled and wanted. In real life he felt behind his classmates and anxious in groups. On game nights he skipped dinner, drank several cans of energy drinks and slept at dawn. He deleted the game twice and reinstalled it within days. He hid his spending, told his parents he was studying with friends, and felt ashamed and angry. He did not think he had a problem because he used no alcohol or drugs and had passed his first two years.
Doctors do not go by a single symptom. The WHO’s ICD-11 describes gaming disorder as impaired control over gaming, gaming taking priority over other interests, and continuing despite harm, usually over at least 12 months, or less if the problems are severe. The proposed DSM-5-TR criteria list nine signs, of which five or more within a year, causing distress or problems in daily life, point to the disorder.
Why Gaming Addiction Often Goes Unnoticed
Gaming addiction often goes unnoticed for a long time. Gaming is common, many young people play for hours, and a quiet person at home on a computer can look safe. The person may also be very good at the game and proud of it. Many games are built to keep people playing, with ranks, rewards, daily streaks, team duties and in-game purchases. Shame keeps the person quiet, and many believe they can stop whenever they choose.
The risks are serious. Beyond lost study or work, problem gaming is linked with depression, anxiety, social withdrawal, poor sleep, anger and, in some people, thoughts of suicide. It often sits alongside ADHD or social anxiety. The sooner the pattern is recognised, the easier it is to change.
In this case: Kunal’s parents thought he was relaxing after a hard course. His team-mates knew him only by his username and saw nothing wrong. He told himself he would stop once he reached the next rank. The first real alarm was the college notice about his failed subjects and attendance. The belief that he could cut down by himself is what delayed help.
Diagnosis: How Gaming Disorder Was Assessed at Calida Rehab
There is no single test for gaming disorder. The diagnosis is made by a psychiatrist through a careful clinical assessment. At Calida Rehab this typically includes:
- A detailed clinical interview about which games are played, for how long, when it started, what triggers it and past attempts to cut down
- ICD-11 and DSM-5-TR criteria, checked one by one against the person’s history
- The Internet Gaming Disorder Scale – Short Form (IGDS9-SF), a nine-question screening tool that helps grade the level of problem gaming
- A time and spending history, covering hours per day, sleep timing, in-game purchases and who else knows
- Mental health screening for depression, anxiety, social anxiety, ADHD and sleep problems
- Screening for caffeine and other substances, including tobacco, alcohol and cannabis
- A suicide risk check, because low mood and shame can go with problem gaming
- A general health check, including sleep, weight, eyes, neck and back
- Input from a family member, with the person’s consent
That mental health check matters, because gaming problems often sit alongside ADHD, depression and anxiety. See our ADHD case study, our anxiety case study and our depression case study to see how these conditions can overlap.
Result in this case: Kunal met six of the nine proposed DSM-5-TR signs, and his IGDS9-SF score was 34 out of 45, which pointed to problematic gaming. He was diagnosed with gaming disorder, along with moderate depressive symptoms and social anxiety. Screening did not point to ADHD. He used no alcohol or drugs, though he drank several cans of energy drinks on gaming nights. He said he sometimes felt that nothing would ever change, but he denied any thoughts of ending his life, and a safety plan was still agreed with his parents as a precaution. For Kunal, learning that this was a recognised and treatable condition, and that his skill and interest in games were not the problem, was the first real turning point.
Treatment Plan for Gaming Addiction
No single treatment suits everyone. At Calida Rehab the plan is built after the assessment, and the family is involved when the person agrees. Most plans combine the following.
Structure and limits first. Unlike alcohol or opioids, gaming does not cause a physical withdrawal that needs medical detox, so the first priority is to break the cycle of play. This usually means moving the gaming PC and game apps out of the bedroom, agreeing a clear break from the problem game, removing saved cards and limiting in-game purchases, and setting fixed screen-free hours. Because computers are part of study and social life for many young people, the goal is not a life without screens but control over them.
Care in the first weeks. Irritability, restlessness, boredom, low mood, strong urges to play and disturbed sleep are common when gaming stops. They are monitored and treated.
Therapy as the core of treatment. Behavioural therapy helps the person understand the thinking behind gaming, handle urges and stress, and rebuild a life with other sources of success and company.
Medicines. No medicine is specifically approved for gaming disorder. A psychiatrist treats depression, anxiety, ADHD or sleep problems with medicines when needed. Medicines work best alongside therapy, not instead of it.
Treatment of other conditions. Depression, anxiety, social anxiety, ADHD and poor sleep are treated alongside the gaming.
Family involvement. Families learn what gaming disorder is, how to set limits without shouting, and how to rebuild trust without blame.
Lifestyle. Fixed sleep and wake times, regular meals, daylight, exercise and planned offline activities fill the time that gaming leaves behind.
In this case: Kunal’s team recommended a short residential programme of about two weeks, followed by outpatient care, because he had deleted the game twice and reinstalled it, and his sleep and daily routine had broken down. In the first week the gaming PC was moved out of his room, his mother removed her saved card, and a safety plan was agreed. His irritability and restlessness eased within ten days, and he began sleeping at night. Therapy began in the first week, and his parents joined family sessions to learn how to set limits calmly.
Call our 24-hour free confidential helpline.
Treatments
Your recovery story can start today.
Speak to our clinical team in confidence. We are available 24x7.
Therapies Used in This Gaming Addiction Case Study
The therapies below were part of Kunal’s plan and are commonly used for gaming disorder.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): identifies triggers such as boredom, loneliness, rank pressure and game events, and corrects thinking traps such as “I will stop after this rank” or “games are the only thing I am good at”. Read more on our CBT page.
- Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET): helps the person explore mixed feelings about gaming and build their own reasons for change. See our motivational interviewing page.
- Relapse prevention planning: a written plan for high-risk situations such as new game releases, tournaments and exam stress, early warning signs and what to do after a slip. See our relapse prevention therapy page.
- Urge management and digital limits: learning to notice an urge, wait it out and do something else, with agreed screen times and spending limits
- Individual counselling: one-to-one sessions to work through low self-worth, social anxiety, shame and the stress behind the gaming. See our individual counselling page.
- Family therapy: sessions that help families communicate, set healthy limits and rebuild trust. See our family therapy page.
- Group therapy and peer support: meeting others in recovery reduces shame and isolation, and gives practice in real-life company. See our group therapy page.
- Routine and activity building: restarting sleep, meals, exercise and offline interests, with meditation therapy used for restlessness and sleep
Follow-Up Care After the First Phase
Gaming disorder is a long-term condition, so care does not end when the first phase of treatment ends. Follow-up usually includes:
- Regular counselling sessions, with more frequent sessions in the first months and wider gaps later
- Review of mood, sleep, anxiety, attention and any thoughts of self-harm, with treatment adjusted if needed
- Agreed screen times, device rules and spending limits, reviewed with the family
- A plan for high-risk times such as new releases, holidays and exam periods
- Progress on study, work and daily routine
- Booster sessions to refresh relapse-prevention skills when urges or triggers return
- Support in rebuilding friendships, offline interests and confidence
- Continued involvement of the family, where the person agrees
A slip does not mean treatment has failed. It is a signal to tell someone and get support quickly. Read our guide on relapse in addiction recovery to understand what ongoing care looks like.
Outcome: What Recovery Looks Like With Gaming Addiction
What changed for Kunal over the first three months:
- Gaming: he stopped playing his main game. In the second month, after a quarrel with a friend, he played through one night. He stopped the next morning, told his mother and called his counsellor, and a plan for stressful days was added.
- Sleep and mood: his sleep moved back to nights within a few weeks, and his low mood and anxiety around people eased.
- Money: he made no in-game purchases. His parents set a monthly allowance and he has no access to saved cards.
- Study: he began attending lectures again and registered for his backlog exams.
- Family: arguments became fewer, and dinners at home became calmer. His father said they could talk again.
- Time: he went back to football on weekends and joined the college coding club, where he met people in person.
It is worth being clear about what recovery means. It is not only a month without a game. It is a person who has control over screens, sleep and money, who understands their triggers and who knows what to do when a hard phase returns.
What the first six months of treatment usually look like
- Month 1: assessment, structure and limits, a short structured programme and a written plan.
- Months 2 and 3: therapy skills build. Mood, sleep and daily routine are reviewed. Family sessions continue.
- Months 4 to 6: gains settle in. The team reviews what is working and what still needs support.
This is a general guide. Every person moves at a different pace.
Key Takeaways from This Gaming Addiction Case Study
- Gaming addiction is a recognised disorder in the WHO’s ICD-11, not a weakness of character.
- It can stay hidden for a long time, because it looks like a hobby.
- Hours played matter less than loss of control and continued harm.
- Structure, limits on gaming and spending, and therapy are the core of treatment.
- Depression, social anxiety, ADHD and thoughts of self-harm often sit alongside problem gaming and need treatment too.
- A slip is not a failure. Telling someone quickly is what protects recovery.
When Should You See a Doctor?
Please speak to a doctor if you or someone you know:
- Games much more than planned, or cannot stop once started
- Sleeps at odd hours or is tired through the day because of gaming
- Skips school, college or work to play
- Becomes angry, anxious or low when unable to play
- Spends money on in-game items despite problems
- Has tried to cut down and could not
- Has lost interest in friends, sport and hobbies
If you are worried about a family member, speak to a doctor before taking away devices suddenly or confronting them in anger, so that a plan can be made together.
If you or someone you know ever talks about hurting themselves, or feels that life is not worth living, do not wait. Call 112 in an emergency, or Tele-MANAS on 14416. You can also call our 24-hour helpline for a confidential conversation.
Gaming Addiction Case Study: Frequently Asked Questions
What is gaming addiction?
Gaming addiction, also called gaming disorder, is a pattern of gaming that is out of control, takes priority over other interests and continues despite serious harm to sleep, study, work, health or relationships. It is recognised as a disorder in the WHO’s ICD-11.
Is gaming addiction a real disorder?
Yes. The WHO’s ICD-11 lists gaming disorder (6C51), and the DSM-5-TR lists internet gaming disorder as a condition that needs further study. Many people play games without harm. It becomes a disorder when control is lost and harm continues.
What are the signs of gaming addiction?
Common signs include gaming much more than planned, thinking about games all day, irritability or low mood when unable to play, failed attempts to cut down, losing interest in friends and hobbies, hiding time or money spent, and continuing despite problems with sleep, study or work.
How many hours of gaming is too much?
There is no fixed number of hours. The question is whether gaming is out of control and is harming sleep, health, study, work or relationships. A person who plays for long hours but stays well may not have a problem, while someone who plays less but loses control may.
Why are games so hard to stop?
Many games are built around rewards, ranks, daily streaks, team duties and in-game purchases that keep players returning. For people who feel lonely, anxious or low, the game can also become the main place they feel skilled and wanted, which makes stopping harder.
How is gaming addiction treated?
Treatment combines a full assessment, structured limits on gaming and spending, behavioural therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Enhancement Therapy, relapse prevention planning, treatment of any depression, anxiety or ADHD, rebuilding sleep and routine, and family involvement.
Are there medicines for gaming addiction?
No medicine is specifically approved for gaming disorder. A psychiatrist may treat depression, anxiety, ADHD or sleep problems with medicines when needed. Medicines work best together with therapy.
Can a person play games again after treatment?
For some people, planned and limited play becomes possible, and for others a break from the problem game is safer. This is decided with the treating team, based on how the person is doing. The aim is control over screens, sleep and money, not a life without technology.
Is my information kept private?
Yes. Assessment and treatment details are confidential and are shared with family or others only with your consent.
Sources and Further Reading
This page is for information and is not a substitute for medical advice. The case described is a composite example, and details are illustrative. If you think you or someone you know may have a problem with gaming, please see a doctor or psychiatrist for a full assessment.
- American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR). 2022.
- World Health Organization. International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision (ICD-11), 6C51 Gaming disorder.
- Pontes H. M., Griffiths M. D. Measuring DSM-5 internet gaming disorder: development and validation of a short psychometric scale. Computers in Human Behavior, 2015; 45: 137-143.
- Stevens M. W. R., King D. L., Dorstyn D., Delfabbro P. H. Cognitive-behavioral therapy for Internet gaming disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, 2019; 26(2): 191-203.
- Zajac K., Ginley M. K., Chang R., Petry N. M. Treatments for Internet gaming disorder and Internet addiction: a systematic review. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 2017; 31(8): 979-994.