Addiction Computer Games / Internet

[winrawat]

I have a kid 15 years old in class Xth. He is 100 % busy in computers, playing games, surfing internet and goes sleep as soon as he leaves PC. He is not disciplined at all. He is not going out of house at all and stopped going to school and upon pressure from school we had to drop him from school in current session. Every time I ask him to control his PC habit, he either goes to sleep quietly or bangs the door, shouts loudly, even some times becomes violent. He has no respect for us as parents and not ready to listen at all just anything. It is getting very depressing. We have taken him to private hospital for counselling with renowned psychiatrist also. He is not showing any improvement at all. At other hand, I have a daughter, younger to him. His behaviour is perfectly alright with her. However, situation is really getting serious and I have no clue at all what to do and where to go from here to bring him to normal life. Please suggest or advise some hospital or expert or psychiatrist in treating PC addicts. Thanks.

[Steph_MHModerator]

We just wanted to note that it's Asperger's.  It is a part of the autism spectrum.  

[gitsum]

it could be assburgers syndrome, which is being renamed to autism as it always should have been. if there was a social development disorder, you wouldn't call it assburgers. that is just cruel.

http://www.avclub.com/articles/***-burgers,62682/

irregardless of what it is, military academy could be good for him simply because he lacks discipline and the military needs more people that are good with computers. i'm not saying he needs to join the military, but it could be a good option for him.

[Sandman2]

   The problem is NOT the computer.   It is just something that he is escaping to.  The fact that he is not going to school or even leaving his room very much is a definite sign that something is wrong.  And I agree with the above poster that he is showing signs of autism or perhaps worse.
   And this is not something that will clear up right away.  It will take time and constant help.  And depending on the problem - medication might be required.
What did your psychiatrist say the problem was?   Did he show signs of withdrawal in middle school.  And its always possible that some of this could be drug related.  Does he have a close group of outside friends that he sees?
    And, yes, getting a second opinion might be a good idea.

[allmymarbles]

Have you ever thought to take his computers away from him? That's where I would start.

[allformykid]

my son exhibited this kind of obessive behavior about video games/internet as well, however when i took him to be evaluated the doctor diagnosed him with Asperger's Syndrome... frankly i'm surprised this wan't also a diagnosis for your son.

perhaps take him to a child psychologist to be reevaluated... maybe you need a second opionin.  

in any case, now that i am aware of my son's condition, and have been receiving counseling myself, i am better able to take control while still respecting my son's perception/emotion/response to the situation at hand.

i know the frustration you are feeling.  it's not easy but it is possible to get your son back.  this behavior is very much an addiction and when my son first starting "tapering" his computer use he responded as an addict would when withdrawaling... he was very depressed, angry and miserable, but he got through it and has adjusted to a more reasonable amount of use.

good luck to you.

[selfinduced]

I am so sorry your going thru this. As the saying goes, "we're only as happy as our most miserable child" and I'm sure you are not a happy dad. I'm not a Dr. but it seems to be this extreme behavior may be an escape for him of something he hasn't dealt with. Continue to get him outside professional help. Meanwhile your the parent and it is well within your responsibility to limit his time to a reasonable amount of time and stick to it. Can you help fill his time with family activities? I know 15 is a hard age to hold onto control, but he's still a kid. You are his only advocate and if you don't step in, who will? Wish I had more answers, hopefully more will be on to help. Good Luck