QUESTION:
Dear Dr. Heller,
How do I get help for my nephew (13 years old) who is addicted to video games? How do I make my sister, his mother (single mom), see the problems he is having are related to these games? He has become anti-social, isolates himself in his room, becomes violent ( kicks, destroys doors etc.) when he's told not to play or when the games are taken away. He doesn't want to participate with anything to do with the family or his mother, doesn't bathe, I can go on forever. He is already seeing a psychologist to deal with his behavior, but I don't think the psychologist knows about his addiction. Using behavior incentives have not worked. Limiting playing time doesn't work because he threatens his mother and destroys things. My sister lives in Columbia, South Carolina. Where can she get help and how?
ANSWER:
There's more than a video game addiction going on. Commonly individuals with AD(H)D hyperfocus on video games and this may be going on. The anti-social and violent behavior is a strong indicator some potentially dangerous process is going on such as the BPD. My screening test may be of some help. He should be more extensively evaluated and likely needs medication.
