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Sleep Deprivation and Self-Harm Associated With Excessive Gaming: A Case Report
Amanda M Hall1, Stuart D Glass2, William A McDonald3
1Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA.
Military Medicine
|April 26, 2022
Summary
Excessive gaming can lead to severe sleep deprivation and self-harm, particularly in military personnel. Awareness is crucial for healthcare providers to address potential disciplinary issues and maintain force readiness.
Area of Science:
- Military medicine
- Behavioral health
- Sleep science
Background:
- Excessive video gaming is a growing concern with potential negative health outcomes.
- Sleep deprivation is a common issue in military settings, impacting performance and well-being.
- Self-harm and disciplinary problems can arise from various stressors, including behavioral issues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the association between excessive gaming, sleep deprivation, and self-harm in an active duty military member.
- To inform military healthcare providers about a potential trigger for self-injurious behavior and disciplinary issues.
- To raise awareness among military leadership regarding the impact of excessive gaming on force readiness.
Main Methods:
- Case study of an active duty member presenting with self-injurious behavior.
- Analysis of the patient's recent activities, including a 72-hour video-gaming binge.
- Review of the patient's sleep patterns and subsequent work-related consequences.
Main Results:
- The patient engaged in excessive gaming, leading to severe sleep deprivation.
- Sleep deprivation resulted in the patient oversleeping and failing to report for duty.
- The patient committed self-injurious behavior and fabricated a false report to avoid disciplinary action.
Conclusions:
- Excessive gaming should be considered by military healthcare providers in patients with sleep disturbances, self-harm, and disciplinary problems.
- Increased prevalence of gaming necessitates awareness from military leadership regarding its potential to degrade force readiness.
- Early identification and intervention for excessive gaming behaviors are essential for maintaining military personnel health and operational effectiveness.
