Ripping yourself away from screens

[thejuice]

Does anyone have trouble getting off the internet or stop playing videogames? Its like my brain is so hyper and wired that its painful to get off.

Are there any solutions?

 

[Xinyta]

This is a problem I've always had, in some capacity. And I'm sure others struggle with too.

But unfortunately the only way to stop is out of sheer willpower. Consider alternative ways to distract your brain, that are also productive.

Build something, learn cooking recipes, drawing, write stories, gardening, etc.

Fair warning though. Your mind can and will try to trick you into going back on your computer, phone, or game console. The feeling of "missing out" is a withdraw symptom of trying to disconnect from your electronic addiction. And being use to the dopamine hits it brought, will drive your brain to want more of it. Especially if deprived of it.

It's a psychological game, like alot of things in life. It's just a matter of what your willing to do for yourself to avoid falling into, or falling back into, such traps.

 

[lovely_darlingprettybaby]

Does anyone have trouble getting off the internet or stop playing videogames? Its like my brain is so hyper and wired that its painful to get off.

Are there any solutions?

Yes because of loneliness, depression and anxiety.
But i feel better when I go away. It does not help with sleep.

 

[Hypnalis]

Replacements:
* Real life activities. Many of those create opportunities for contact with others IRL
* Genuine human interaction. Which can occur online OFC - but most of it is shallow/transactional

Avoid: The various game- and clickbait- techniques used to lock you in.

Three examples every MMO gamer has been exposed to:

* Using "Collectors disease" to keep people coming back.
* Weaving in in-game objectives that take much more than a gaming session to achieve
* Multi-person inter-dependencies so you come back to fulfil promises made to (almost) real people

Avoiding lock-in means not doing these things. If a game is boring without them, it's been designed to waste your time - that is., to replace fun with addictive tedium.

Note that most in-game activities are fun for a while. But the minute it becomes a "grind" you should stop. Because that will never go away. From there on, it's the "empty calories" of gaming.

BTW: I'm not addressing e.g. forums, but stay with the principle of preferring genuine human interaction.

We are "wired" for RL interaction. It is different. Online contact is fine, but it's not enough.

 

[Misty Avich]

I have trouble coming away from internet forums. I only play games in bed, and I can easily limit my time with that. But internet forums seem to grasp my attention and are way more addictive than anything else.

 

[thejuice]

Ive vowed never to do dailies or battle passes again.

 

[thejuice]

I get to the point of complete brain overload (it doesnt take that long for me, sometimes as little as 20 minutes)

 

[thejuice]

I need to face a little bit of pain before i feel better again (getting off and doing something else. Usually feel bearable after 5 minutes.) It can take 30 minutes to fully recover.

 

[Xinyta]

Replacements:
* Real life activities. Many of those create opportunities for contact with others IRL
* Genuine human interaction. Which can occur online OFC - but most of it is shallow/transactional

Avoid: The various game- and clickbait- techniques used to lock you in.

Three examples every MMO gamer has been exposed to:

* Using "Collectors disease" to keep people coming back.
* Weaving in in-game objectives that take much more than a gaming session to achieve
* Multi-person inter-dependencies so you come back to fulfil promises made to (almost) real people

Avoiding lock-in means not doing these things. If a game is boring without them, it's been designed to waste your time - that is., to replace fun with addictive tedium.

Note that most in-game activities are fun for a while. But the minute it becomes a "grind" you should stop. Because that will never go away. From there on, it's the "empty calories" of gaming.

BTW: I'm not addressing e.g. forums, but stay with the principle of preferring genuine human interaction.

We are "wired" for RL interaction. It is different. Online contact is fine, but it's not enough.

I'm glad you brought this up actually.

I'm one of those that unfortunately did end up falling for alot of those type of traps. I'm not on MMOs frequently, if at all. But I did play alot of multiplayer gaming. And a game like that not feeling the same without friends, is something I've felt.

And gaming changing as much as it has. MMOs are not the only culprits of this problem anymore. Battle Royals are a huge one. Stuff that plays like Fall Guys. It goes on.

 

[AuroraBorealis]

Does anyone have trouble getting off the internet or stop playing videogames? Its like my brain is so hyper and wired that its painful to get off.

Are there any solutions?

Yeah, I do have trouble with that. It used to be worse, though. What helps me is setting a certain time duration ("I can do this now until 9:30, then I'll get up" "I'll have one hour now to play, then I'll stop and do xyz"). It happens often that I stay a bit longer, but not that much, maybe about 10-15 minutes longer than I allowed myself. But that's within limits for me.
If you have trouble actually stopping at the "agreed" time, maybe ask someone you know to either physically come get you or call you on the phone? Even the phone call might distract you for a second and make it easier to stop.
I had a time where I was really a lot on my laptop and I wanted to change that. So I started planning my day with off-screen activities (unless it's necessary for work or so) and gave myself breaks in between where I could be on the laptop/gaming/phone for a certain amount of time. Not the other way around, where you're at the screen basically the entire time and interrupt it for something non-screen (I also had phases like these, it's okay, it just needs to stop at some point).

 

[thejuice]

Yes because of loneliness, depression and anxiety.
But i feel better when I go away. It does not help with sleep.

My experience is:
Loneliness and anxiety makes me seek connection through internet even if its just reading or watching content. I am online for too long to not face lonliness. Anxiety and depression increases due to dopamine overload and too much information. Getting off becomes very hard as I then have to face these feelings and sensations.

 

[thejuice]

i need to plan my day when i get up and set timers

 

[thejuice]

right time to face the pain and get up, be back later!!

 

[Judge]

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/internet-addiction

 

[Jumpinbare]

I never go on the internet at all.

Ever.

Wait...

 

[Chailatte_]

I usually seek refuge in video games when I want to avoid facing something. It's like finding solace in a world I can control, providing a sense of control and predictability. I only realized this a week ago, questioning why it was so hard to detach from my console.

1. Comfort zone (sofa, blankets; no need to go out or interact), silence, and "manageable" noise that I can control.
2. In the game, I had full control over my character and the unfolding situations, making me feel in control and not at the mercy of events.

Analyzing point 1, I understood I was in one of my low periods. During these times, I have extreme anxiety about open spaces, and noises and light bother me. Anything outside feels oppressive, leading me to realize I might have overwhelmed myself with the holiday festivities, feeling out of control and lacking the ability to choose (mandatory presence at festivities).
Analyzing point 2, I realized the week before I had an embarrassing incident, and it affected me deeply. In some way, my mind wanted to shield me from a similar situation.

Behind every "loop," there's always a motivation; find yours, and you'll see your way out.

 

[AprilR]

I usually do the boring and hard things (chores, work etc.) and after that reward myself with the things i like, like a tv show or game.

 

[marc_101]

Does anyone have trouble getting off the internet or stop playing videogames? Its like my brain is so hyper and wired that its painful to get off.

Are there any solutions?

Oh yes. Not video games, though. I prefer not to even try getting into those, but it's hard to stop checking my cell phone and the internet. I've always been drawn to seek information. It's really hard to take a break. It's also the typical problem of transitions with autism and ADHD (executive function in general) coupled with information hunger. Very difficult combo to deal with in general, much more so with autism/ADHD traits.

 

[Slime_Punk]

Books are a great replacement, IMO, and so is exercise, going outside, etc. Unfortunately a lot of people use phones during IRL interactions, but nobody says you have to, of course! Face-to-face conversation is always good.

Unfortunately since they're essentially everywhere, it's kind of unavoidable in our current world, but you could go to great lengths if your issue is severe. For example, getting a basic flip phone, not using computers (if able, as some people need to work on them as a profession), selling your TV, etc.

Although I'm not against gaming, I personally rarely do it for reasons others have mentioned here -- once you get into the loop / groove, it becomes a mindless activity that doesn't challenge you much anymore (once you get to the next tier, it's just a slow grind). Even the most 'brutally difficult' games just get mindlessly easy once the muscle memory and twitch movements kick in. No wonder why I feel so fried after those ones!

If you're looking to just choosing better media, that's always another option. Some great game replacements (IMO) are 'Zachlikes' or something that can teach or prepare you real-world skills, puzzles, documentaries, online courses etc. Limiting mindless surfing is also doable with apps nowadays. Everyone already knows how I feel about doomscrolling or standard social media, so I won't say, "That probably seriously rots your brain".

We had a thread around here for 'non games', if that sounds like your cup of tea. One day I might even find the link

 

[MNAus]

My video game addictions are 100% ASD and proud of it. First it was OpenTTD, then Factorio, now Dyson Sphere Program. You have no idea of the meaning of video game addiction until Factorio gets its claws into you. FPS and RPG have nothing on Cracktorio. The main game will eat 70 hours of your life to the exclusion of everything else. Download Space Exploration and you can say goodbye to months. I know not all ASD folk have these kinds of interests but if you're the kind of autist who feels drawn to systems, you're goign to love it.