17YO Thai Boy Dies Of Stroke After Staying Up All Night Binge Gaming During School Holidays

By
Shawn Ambrose
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Humans are biologically wired to be addicted. Our brain rewards us when we do something pleasurable, and we repeat that behaviour to feel that pleasure again. This explains why we get addicted to things like alcohol, drugs, and sex so easily.

Recently, however, a new insidious threat has emerged, and with its seemingly innocuous purpose of providing entertainment, many are unwittingly lured into what can often be an extremely addictive vice: gaming.

That’s what happened to one teenager in Thailand and unfortunately, it cost him his life.

A recent obsession 

Towards the end of October, 17-year-old Piyawat Harikun spent nearly all of his free time playing battle games on his PC.

According to The Sun, his parents said he would stay up all night then draw the curtains in the day to continue playing.

Piyawat’s parents even brought food to his room and urged him to stop, but he refused.

Collapsed at his desk 

On Monday afternoon (4 Nov), his father Jaranwit went to his bedroom and found his son slumped against his PC tower on the floor. There were a few takeaway boxes on his desk and a bottle of fizzy drink at his feet, which suggests that he spent a great deal of time at his desk.

Shocked at his son’s state, Jaranwit tried to revive him, but it was too late.

”I called his name and said ‘wake up, wake up’ but he did not respond. I could see he was dead”, he said.

Died of a stroke

Medics who examined Piyawat’s body concluded that the boy had died from a stroke. They believe it was caused by playing the computer throughout the night.

In an attempt to warn other parents, Jaranwit reportedly shared a post on Facebook about the dangers of children’s gaming habits.

Shockingly enough, the post included censored photos of his deceased son at his desk.

Jaranwit said he knew about his son’s gaming obsession and tried to stop it, but his son didn’t listen.

“I tried to warn him about his relentless long hours playing games and he promised to reduce it, but it was too late. He had already died before he had a chance to change”, Jaranwit said.

The father added that Piyawat was a gaming addict despite his stellar academic performance and warned other parents to be mindful of their children’s gaming habits.

“My son was smart and always did great at school but he had a major problem with gaming addiction.”

“I want my son’s death to be an example and warning for parents whose children are game addicts. They need to be more strict on their children’s playing hours otherwise they could end up like my son.”

Gaming addiction is real

The problem with gaming addiction is that many don’t think it’s a legitimate disorder.

However, just last year, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially recognized “gaming disorder” as a condition in its International Classification of Diseases, saying that it is possible to be addicted to video games.

Video game addiction may not be easy to spot, however,  so here are some signs to look out for as delineated by the American Psychiatric Association:

  • Preoccupation with video games – Gaming becomes the dominant activity in daily life
  • Withdrawal symptoms – The individual feels anxiety, sadness, cravings, or irritability when gaming is taken away
  • Inability to reduce playing, unsuccessful attempts to quit gaming
  • Loss of interests in previous hobbies
  • Continued excessive use despite knowledge of its negative impact
  • Deceiving family members or others about the amount of time spent on gaming
  • The use of gaming to relieve negative moods, such as guilt or hopelessness
  • Risk, having jeopardized or lost a job or relationship due to gaming

Gaming can be fun, but it is also highly addictive. Just like everything else, play it in moderation.

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Shawn Ambrose
Email: [email protected]