As with other addictions, withdrawal symptoms often occur. Among the most common are:
Anger and verbal abuse, sometimes extreme*
A feeling of emptiness
Depression
Relief
A disruption in sleep pattern
Fantasies and dreams about the game
The urge to go back to gaming and try to control the time played
Thinking about the game for extended periods of time
Uncontrollable feelings or rampant mood swings
Excessive crying
Anxiety
Fear
Irritability or restlessness
Sadness
Loneliness
Boredom/inability to find an activity of interest
Lack of motivation/direction
Excessive amounts of time spent sleeping
Nausea
Difficulty facing obligations, procrastination
Feeling as though a return to gaming will make you feel better
Physical illness – colds, allergies
Restless, unfulfilling, taunting dreams
* Warning: In rare, extreme cases, sudden removal of the game has resulted in violence and even death.
