Feeling Trapped In My Obsession

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Currently I play Computer games for 6-8 hours a day, and it's having an large negative impact on my life. When I'm off the games which I play, I feel completely empty. Even at work, I can't stop thinking about the games which I play all day. I know I should be doing other things. Like learning how to drive, or planning my life, but I can't seem to focus on anything else. How do you guys cope?

I remember when I was 25 and was obsessed with computer games. I had bad depression that year. Had just graduated with a masters degree and did not look for work. It went on for the next 2 years. I wanted to be on the other side of it after 2 years. I wanted life to happen. So I started taking small baby steps. First I wanted to get my license - I have been failing that test. So I got out for half hour driving lessons and then made it 1 hour and then 2 hour sessions. Practiced real hard all week before the test. And well failed it. But atleast license or not I felt confident driving. The next try I got it. But what got my executive functioning back to me was learning yoga. I learnt the whole primary Astanga. And that kinda gave me some kinda discipline that I lacked in life. From there on everything seemed possible.

Not video games, but there was a time when I watched like 3-6 movies a day for a while.. so, I understand how time sucking obsessions can be.

You're in poco.. just go to Wreck Beach and be distracted by real life, instead.

Gaming addiction can be seriouse so you may want to talk to a therapist if it is interfering with your life. If it is not interfering with your life its just a passion.

I agree with your advice. Aspies have "special interests" or "obsessions" about any number of things, but that doesn't make Aspies immune to straight up addictions... Perhaps it can be more problematic for Aspies who may give latitude to their level of interest in something that becomes an addiction by justifying it as an intense interest.

The following example doesn't have to do with ASD, but the similarity is there: The 2004 movie: Sideways. It's about a man with an intense interest/obsession with California wines. He lives there, tours each winery, knows an incredible amount about each wine, vintage, etc. Without a doubt, wine is an obsessive special interest of his. Bottom line though.....the guy's an alcoholic. He's got an alcohol addiction. It doesn't matter that it's cloaked by his knowledge and interest level in wine.