Videogame addiction?

[viruszero]

While the article may have been out since early last month, I just found and read it now. (It is a bit of a long read, with some medical terms and whatnot, so be aware of that. )

Game Addiction By: Laura Parker.

Basically the article talks about videogame addiction... What is it, what are the facts about it, is it a real condition that needs to be entered into the medical books? (EX- the DSM-V.)

What are your thoughts on it? Is it possible to be an addict for games?

[Silver Stryker]

......WOW addiction is common. I believe game addiction is possible.

But since the case of when some chick died from malnurishment while playing World Of Warcraft isn't common, I don't think is should be something implamented into the books. Anyone who spends their time finding a cure will be the most broke doctor in all of the world.

I might sound like a crack addict, but....who gives up games?! D:

[randomdrifter865]

Hmmmm... Read it, thats a tough one to say I have played games all my life up to now and I have never really been that depend it on it like that before at all. In the past perhaps I played a lot ,but now I hardly play much like I used to. Perhaps I grew out of it. Plus if I remember correctly my ability to socailize wasn't destroyed because of playing games all the time. Did I like playing often yes because for myself it was relaxing and a way to get out of a hard day's reality for an hour or three tops. I don't think it should be considered a medical addiction really. Because everything is an addiction because we enjoy it to a certain extent. It is true that we can over do it little and their are some whom have abused their addictions too far beyond for them to stop. That is also true. Any takers?

[acelin6]

Me, if there is that sort of addiction than im one because I just finished playing call of duty, but I dont think that it should be taken to seriously because the largest thing it would affect is social life

[viruszero]

I don't think it has to affect social life at all... People can play games then still hang out with their friends... Or you could even combine things, I mean when I hang out with my friends, we often play videogames. Rockband or SSBB or whatever. So if it's affecting my social life at all, I'd have to say it's in a good way.

And even though I'd class myself as a gamer, playing games isn't the only thing I do. Considering my schedule at times... There might be a whole month at a time where I barely play any games at all.

[acelin6]

I think that is a damn good point you put up virus and i'd have to agree

[Fefnir]

I think the addiction is real only because it's possible to become addicted to anything. Or at least define anything as an addiction. For example, food and water. Every human alive is physically and mentally addicted to them. And trying to break the addiction has a 100% mortality rate.

But anyway, I don't think an addiction to video games is a medical condition at any rate. If a game consumes enough of your life to become a true, gets-in-the-way-of-the-rest-of-your-lifeaddiction, you're just a loser in my book.

[randomdrifter865]

Yeah in similer aspect I thought the same of certain fellows that fit that bill quite well. Even myself in some ways. I'm just glad that I didn't let games consume me completely in terms of this medical condition not yet tested for any actual evidence yet. I remember reading an artical at one point on how videogames can create an influence. Example like violent impulses or trigger creativity. Now I can understand violence... Creativity is generally made from your inspiration so perhaps games are inspirational.

[Storm]

Before I say anything, I'll state that I did not read the entire article. I looked around a bit, but didn't really focus, so feel free to correct me if you feel the need to do so.

I've been playing from a very young age, and I've had problems with games when I was young. I would wake up early every weekend morning to play some games, I'd sometimes be late for school for playing in the morning. But as I've grown up, I've learned to easily manage my life without letting games take all my time.

As a matter of fact, while I do enjoy games quite a bit, they're always the last thing I'll do, and only if I'm left with some time alone. During a normal week, I might spend maybe about 10-15 hours, depending quite heavily on how my schedule and my woman's schedule cross over. Occasionally, I may receive a call from a friend, looking to hook up and chat, and this, too, takes great priority over gaming.

I'm telling you this because I believe that game addiction is mostly affecting people with nothing else to do. I've been there, I've been lonely and alone. Games were there for me back in the day. People with a lot of friends and hobbies have less time for games, and people with no friends and gaming as their only hobby are gonna be gaming a lot more.

Now, I'm not saying you must be a social outcast to enjoy gaming. I still consider myself somewhat hardcore, as opposed to casual, when it comes to gaming. And still, I enjoy social interaction with my friends and family, and I take time to enjoy my martial arts hobby, all the while having a PS3 in my room, just itchin' for some COD4 pwnage.

To sum it up, I believe that game addiction is born from social rejection and the lack of social skills required to become a part of a community. Games like the MMORPGs nowadays don't require any of these talents, and as such become the air these addicts breathe. These games are the only thing these videogame addicts are good at, and it is for this reason that they so long for them.

Before I wrap up my post, I would like to point out that these personal opinions are not based on any liable evidence or research, but simply my personal assessment of the case from a "been-there-done-that" perspective.

[randomdrifter865]

When I was young it was very similer come to think of it... yeah I was put down to the point where everyone thought it was the cool thing to pick on kids with my problems or being different from them games in a way helped coushin and relieve me other than my parents trying to help me to socialize ,but how could I if no one gave me a chance to even show them what I was really like... Hmmm... I kind a wish I was better back then ,but when your a young lad your easily moldable. And if it wasn't for them I wouldn't be the person I am now. Doing the opposite effect of all the negative viewing put into me. Yeah I feel you on that in a similer level Storm.