The boy did not leave the house and did not want to communicate with anyone.
A Spanish adolescent who was hospitalized for two months due to a serious addiction to the popular video game Fortnite has become the world’s first clinical case of its sort.
The child was diagnosed after exhibiting signs consistent with serious behavioral addiction to the game, including isolation at home, avoidance of social interaction, refusal of medical attention, psychological inflexibility, and a lack of interest in friends and family.
His sleep and self-care routines were also significantly impacted by the addiction.
The case was reported by a team of medics who treated the patient at a hospital in the eastern Spanish city of Castellón.
According to experts, the increasing use of technology in our everyday lives and as a recreational activity underlines the critical nature of specialized therapy for those exhibiting behavioural addiction symptoms.
The medical team speculated that the adolescent may have utilized the ‘battle royale’-style video game as a diversion from the extreme distress associated with the death of a family member and the worry associated with increasing educational responsibilities.
The patient’s treatment resulted in a considerable decrease in screen time and an increase in social behavior.
Adolescents and their prolonged usage of video games require special attention due to their cognitive maturity level, the medical experts stated.
photo by Mike Kemp via Getty Images
