A Spanish teenager, the world’s first clinical case of Fortnite addiction

A Spanish minor became the first known case in the world of being hospitalized for two months for severe addiction to the Fortnite video game after the teenager exhibited behavior that led him to self-isolate or refuse social interactions at home, reports Spanish agency EFE , quoted by Agerpres.

This came after the team at the hospital in Castellon, eastern Spain, where the teen was hospitalized, published his case, which is unique in the world.

The minor was admitted to hospital after showing symptoms of severe behavioral addiction after watching the Fortnite video game, including home isolation, refusing to accept human interactions, refusing to use health services, persistent lack of personal flexibility, lack of interest in people who cursed, or who swore Lack of other activities.

The teenager also had changes in daily living activities and sleep patterns, according to the team who mentored him. It should be noted that the teenager was a model student before practicing this game. His family noticed the accumulation of absenteeism from school and neglect of sleep times.

The widespread use of new technologies in everyday life and the neglect of school obligations have, according to experts, highlighted the danger of improper use of video games and the need for specialized treatment for people with such behavioral disorders.

Experts believe that video game addiction acts as a sublimation of fear caused by the loss of a loved one or the increased demands in the educational context.

The treatment included collaboration with him and his family, and the results showed a significant reduction in the use of small screens (in the first post-hospital phase, only under supervision and in the presence of a colleague to encourage socialization), and an improvement in the patient’s personal and social functioning.