📋 Tender Overview
Addictive behavior mainly affects young people between 20 and 30 years old. Nearly 20% of patients treated at the Guillermo Almenara Irigoyen National Hospital have been diagnosed with addiction problems to virtual sports betting, reported the Social Health Insurance (EsSalud). Jessica Barreto Castillo, a psychiatrist at the Addictive Behavior service at the Almenara hospital, explained that these cases have been identified in young adults, between 20 and 30 years old. Most of them said they had become interested in this type of games during the social isolation caused by the pandemic.
Patients with this addiction present two main warning signs: the progressive loss of money and the excessive use of time surfing the net. This leads them to neglect their work, studies and family relationships, preferring to interact with people who also share an interest in betting.
Generally, those who suffer from this addiction deny the problem, minimize the hours spent gambling and the money invested. In addition, they often present irritability, fatigue, insomnia, and in some cases, develop episodes of anxiety and depression. Dr. Barreto urged not to ignore these warning signs in family and friends. If they are identified, it is important to go to the nearest health center, where mental health specialists can provide the necessary tools to persuade the patient and motivate him or her to seek help.
She added that, as with all mental illness, prevention is based on promoting communication and strengthening self-esteem within the family group. Likewise, it is essential to inform about the risks and consequences of addictions.
Minors addicted to social networks
Dr. Barreto also warned that one in twelve patients treated at the Addictive Behavior Service of the Almenara Hospital are underdiagnosed adolescents with addiction to social networks. That is, patients come for diagnoses of depression, anxiety or other mental health problems, and during treatment it is discovered that they are dependent on social networks.
In this sense, she recommended that parents establish a technological use plan that allows them to respectfully supervise and control the time their children spend on social networks.
