Introduction
The Excessive Gaming Screening Tool (EGST) is a psychological assessment designed to evaluate individuals’ gaming habits and identify potential signs of addiction. This tool is structured to provide insights into the extent of gaming behavior and its impact on daily functioning. By focusing on the aspects of gaming that may interfere with personal, social, or occupational responsibilities, the EGST aims to highlight patterns that could suggest problematic usage. The test is rooted in established psychological methodologies to ensure reliability and validity in its assessment outcomes. It serves as a starting point for individuals to understand their gaming activities and, if necessary, seek further evaluation or intervention.

Instructions
Use this survey as a guide to determine if video games and/or Internet use maybe a problem in your life, but do not use the survey to make a “clinical diagnosis”.

Not Applicable Rarely Occasionally Frequently Often Always

1. How often do you find that you stay online longer than you intended? Not Applicable Rarely Occasionally Frequently Often Always

2. How often do you neglect household chores to spend more time online? Not Applicable Rarely Occasionally Frequently Often Always

3. How often do you prefer the excitement of the Internet to intimacy with your partner? Not Applicable Rarely Occasionally Frequently Often Always

4. How often do you form new relationships with fellow online users? Not Applicable Rarely Occasionally Frequently Often Always

5. How often do others in your life complain to you about the amount of time you spend online? Not Applicable Rarely Occasionally Frequently Often Always

6. How often do your grades or school work suffer because of the amount of time you spend online? Not Applicable Rarely Occasionally Frequently Often Always

7. How often do you check your e-mail before something else that you need to do? Not Applicable Rarely Occasionally Frequently Often Always

8. How often does your job performance or productivity suffer because of the Internet? Not Applicable Rarely Occasionally Frequently Often Always

9. How often do you become defensive or secretive when anyone asks you what you do online? Not Applicable Rarely Occasionally Frequently Often Always

10. How often do you block out disturbing thoughts about your life with soothing thoughts of the Internet? Not Applicable Rarely Occasionally Frequently Often Always

11. How often do you find yourself anticipating when you will go online again? Not Applicable Rarely Occasionally Frequently Often Always

12. How often do you fear that life without the Internet would be boring, empty, and joyless? Not Applicable Rarely Occasionally Frequently Often Always

13. How often do you snap, yell, or act annoyed if someone bothers you while you are online? Not Applicable Rarely Occasionally Frequently Often Always

14. How often do you lose sleep due to late-night log-ins? Not Applicable Rarely Occasionally Frequently Often Always

15. How often do you feel preoccupied with the Internet when off-line, or fantasize about being online? Not Applicable Rarely Occasionally Frequently Often Always

16. How often do you find yourself saying “just a few more minutes” when online? Not Applicable Rarely Occasionally Frequently Often Always

17. How often do you try to cut down the amount of time you spend online and fail? Not Applicable Rarely Occasionally Frequently Often Always

18. How often do you try to hide how long you’ve been online? Not Applicable Rarely Occasionally Frequently Often Always

19. How often do you choose to spend more time online over going out with others? Not Applicable Rarely Occasionally Frequently Often Always

20. How often do you feel depressed, moody, or nervous when you are off-line, which goes away once you are back online? Not Applicable Rarely Occasionally Frequently Often Always

Sources

RIF Brown (1991). Gaming, gambling and other addictive play. See JH Kerr & MJ Apter. Adult place: A reversal theory approach (pp. 101-118).