Video Game Addiction

[Steezie]

It's not a matter of switching them around. The classifications in this case exist as symptoms, and I'm sure you're well aware that in the case of any medical issue not all symptoms need to be present for a diagnosis.

So even though video game addiction doesnt follow any of the lines of logic of actual addiction in that it does not directly chemically effect the brain and has a critical mass of tolerance....its still an addiction?

I'd like to establish that it is possible, in principle, before I start hunting studies down.

In principle, it is not possible

 

[Dannager]

So even though video game addiction doesnt follow any of the lines of logic of actual addiction in that it does not directly chemically effect the brain and has a critical mass of tolerance....its still an addiction?

It follows almost all the symptoms of addiction, save the ones mentioned (though direct chemical influence is not so much a symptom as a specific diagnosis).

In principle, it is not possible

I think you'll find that it is.

 

[Steezie]

It follows almost all the symptoms of addiction, save the ones mentioned (though direct chemical influence is not so much a symptom as a specific diagnosis).

One of the first symptoms of video-game addiction on the list is

"Tolerance, as defined by either of the following:

• A need for markedly increased amounts of time on the game to achieve satisfaction.
• Markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of time on the game"

Now this means that eventually playing games all day will do nothing for you. The addiction has a critical mass. You can always snort more coke, but you can only play games for a certain ammount of time before there just isnt time anymore.

This means that if there even is such a thing, it is a timed addiction.

 

[MauiMamma]

So even though video game addiction doesnt follow any of the lines of logic of actual addiction in that it does not directly chemically effect the brain and has a critical mass of tolerance....its still an addiction?

In principle, it is not possible

OK, here's the thing -

regardless of all of the analyzing, no matter what you CALL it,

*THIS ACT OF PLAYING VIDEO GAMES AND IGNORING OTHER NORMAL ACTIVITIES AND RESPNSIBILITIES, DAY IN AND DAY OUT, IS A HUGE PROBLEM THAT ADVERSELY AFFECTS ME AND MY FAMILY'S LIFE AND COUNTLESS OTHERS.*

So with all due respect, I feel like the stumbling block is the focus on the word *ADDICTION*. If that is not acceptable to you, please do not over look the horrible affects this PROBLEM has on many.

Here are some sites I gathered for you for your perusal, furthered education, and information on this matter:

http://www.uncommonforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=9976

http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/neuro/neuro02/web2/mschlimme.html

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/258684_gameraddict08.html

http://www.netaddiction.com/

http://www.olganonboard.org/


I personally liken this problem to *gambling addiction*- that might help define it better for you.

God bless you.

 

[CyberPaladin]

Mauimamma I was wondering has your husband said anything about tourments it's just a possible a motivator behind his extreme behavior.

 

[MauiMamma]

Mauimamma I was wondering has your husband said anything about tourments it's just a possible a motivator behind his extreme behavior.

No, no tournaments. Personal play time for selfish reasons and the inability to stop.

 

[Tariel]

No, no tournaments. Personal play time for selfish reasons and the inability to stop.

Your husband doesn't see what's wrong with his video game obsession? arghh....that's the worst kind. Just out of curiosity, how have you approached him about this in the past? What has your attitude been like?

 

[Steezie]

OK, here's the thing -

regardless of all of the analyzing, no matter what you CALL it,

*THIS ACT OF PLAYING VIDEO GAMES AND IGNORING OTHER NORMAL ACTIVITIES AND RESPNSIBILITIES, DAY IN AND DAY OUT, IS A HUGE PROBLEM THAT ADVERSELY AFFECTS ME AND MY FAMILY'S LIFE AND COUNTLESS OTHERS.*

So with all due respect, I feel like the stumbling block is the focus on the word *ADDICTION*. If that is not acceptable to you, please do not over look the horrible affects this PROBLEM has on many.

Here are some sites I gathered for you for your perusal, furthered education, and information on this matter:

http://www.uncommonforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=9976

http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/neuro/neuro02/web2/mschlimme.html

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/258684_gameraddict08.html

http://www.netaddiction.com/

http://www.olganonboard.org/


I personally liken this problem to *gambling addiction*- that might help define it better for you.

God bless you.

Gambling has the added benefit of a monetary payoff.

Gaming does not change levels of chemicals in your brain to an addictive degree. It does not alter your brain chemistry any more than any other enjoyable activity. The idea that games themselves and that the act of gaming itself is addictive does not hold up to any currently accepted medical, psychological, or scientific data.

There is such a thing as "psychological depedence". This means that something you do may feel vital to your overall well-being but you are addicted to the feeling or effect that your own mind generates in association with that activity. The activity itself is not the focus but its what your own mind does with it. This type of dependence can be attached to ANY activity. From gaming, to knitting, to walking. It is NOT the activity that creates the addiction (As is the case with drugs) but your own mind

 

[Dannager]

Gambling has the added benefit of a monetary payoff.

Gaming does not change levels of chemicals in your brain to an addictive degree. It does not alter your brain chemistry any more than any other enjoyable activity. The idea that games themselves and that the act of gaming itself is addictive does not hold up to any currently accepted medical, psychological, or scientific data.

There is such a thing as "psychological depedence". This means that something you do may feel vital to your overall well-being but you are addicted to the feeling or effect that your own mind generates in association with that activity. The activity itself is not the focus but its what your own mind does with it. This type of dependence can be attached to ANY activity. From gaming, to knitting, to walking. It is NOT the activity that creates the addiction (As is the case with drugs) but your own mind

Alright, I guess I can agree with that.

 

[MauiMamma]

Your husband doesn't see what's wrong with his video game obsession? arghh....that's the worst kind. Just out of curiosity, how have you approached him about this in the past? What has your attitude been like?

No he thinks it's completly fine.

I have approached him and he was willing to compromise a bit on how much he played, but he compromised with a bad attitude, anger, resentment, etc. when he wasn't playing. My attitude at first was one of interest and curiosity and openness. Then as I realized it was something that involved many hours of involvement and he was unable to walk away from it and didn't have any other interests, then my attitude became that of frustration.

 

[MauiMamma]

Alright, I guess I can agree with that.

Gambling has the added benefit of a monetary payoff.

Gaming does not change levels of chemicals in your brain to an addictive degree. It does not alter your brain chemistry any more than any other enjoyable activity. The idea that games themselves and that the act of gaming itself is addictive does not hold up to any currently accepted medical, psychological, or scientific data.

There is such a thing as "psychological depedence". This means that something you do may feel vital to your overall well-being but you are addicted to the feeling or effect that your own mind generates in association with that activity. The activity itself is not the focus but its what your own mind does with it. This type of dependence can be attached to ANY activity. From gaming, to knitting, to walking. It is NOT the activity that creates the addiction (As is the case with drugs) but your own mind

I can agree also. I think you have answered your own question. But, again I think the semantics have become the issue...

Regardless of what you need to label it, it is a PROBLEM.
A very big one at that.

 

[Dannager]

I can agree also. I think you have answered your own question. But, again I think the semantics have become the issue...

Regardless of what you need to label it, it is a PROBLEM.
A very big one at that.

Exactly. I don't think anyone involved in this discussion is suggesting that we need to restrict video games because they are somehow dangerous. I think it's pretty clear that it's the people themselves who need the help.

 

[MauiMamma]

Exactly. I don't think anyone involved in this discussion is suggesting that we need to restrict video games because they are somehow dangerous. I think it's pretty clear that it's the people themselves who need the help.

Well said. I agree completely. I realize now that some are threatened by the possible blame on video games. That is not the issue with me and my husband at all.
He is a grown man and regarless of his *attatchment* to these games, he is still making a CHOICE to play and any actions that result are his responsiblity.

I'm sure there are some that would disagree, but I feel the same about guns. They are useful for some things, hunting for example. And, it is not the guns themselves that are the issue. It's the person operating the gun that uses it either wisely or not. My husband does not use his computer game playing wisely.

So, YES:

It's the EXCESSIVE, IRRESPONSIBLE, OUT OF CONTROL, SELFISH, UNWISE video game players that need help.

 

[Arielles]

And what if they become one of those crazed shooters and start murdering people? Would you care if they came after your family?

Well, I have to say that I haven't heard of any video game addicts become crazed gun men. Maybe you should just be happy they aren't addicted to drugs, sex or porn.

 

[EbonNelumbo]

Video games.
Video games are entertaining.

Anything can be addictive in excess, or even with normal amounts.

I read an article in the Sunday Oregonian pertaining to China creating an "internet rehab center" where parents sent their children and people actually attempted suicide on one of the more intensive floor units.

I think there's an issue when people cannot go without their Blackberry, Vaio, Bluetooth when driving, Tom-Tom to figure out where you're going, Ipod to listen to when you get out of the car, and various other little gadgets.

Within the same newspaper was an article about a 32-year old graduate student who went one month without any technology past the 1950's, including such things as television (since they weren't that common.) As much as I love every toy I have, I really cherish listening to my grandmother's stories about horse and buggy transportation and the Great Depression.

The more we use technology to speed things along and 'stay connected' the farther we drift apart.

Where playing with friends down the street once filled children's afternoons, now LAN and System Links create a void of social interaction, beyond tactical speech pertaining to games. I took an English class two years ago where several people LITERALLY didn't even know where to put a stamp, or how to address an envelope...that same person spoke often of his PC games.

http://www.oregonlive.com/oregonian/ The articles are somewhere there...in yesterday's (Feb 25th) paper.

 

[Dannager]

The more we use technology to speed things along and 'stay connected' the farther we drift apart.

Where playing with friends down the street once filled children's afternoons, now LAN and System Links create a void of social interaction, beyond tactical speech pertaining to games. I took an English class two years ago where several people LITERALLY didn't even know where to put a stamp, or how to address an envelope...that same person spoke often of his PC games.

I don't think this is necessarily true. Not knowing where to put a stamp is a sign of the times, but does not reflect a decrease in social interaction. It's simply a reflection of the fact that physical mail is becoming an anachronism. And, growing up with both kinds of interaction, I can with all honesty say that the communication online does quite the opposite of create of void of social interaction.

 

[Steezie]

I can agree also. I think you have answered your own question. But, again I think the semantics have become the issue...

Regardless of what you need to label it, it is a PROBLEM.
A very big one at that.

Yes, it is most definately a problem. But it is a problem that lies in the PEOPLE, not the games. What worries me is people blaming videogames for thier problems.

Hillary Clinton is a primo example of someone who doesnt want to take responsiblity. She blames videogames for the degredation of society and would probably do away with them alltogether if she could.

 

[WingsOfTheNeophyte]

I like videogames

I play sometimes 4-8 hours a day if I can be bothered, and 0 if I cant

However the same goes for smoking shisha, Ive spend more than 10 hours smoking shisha (hookah, hubbly bubbly)

Overall I agree that an addiction may be formed towards computer games, but only in the sense that one is formed towards marijuana, nothing physical, but a simple mental dependency on the feeling

People prone to addiction can be identified as such genetically, and they should go through an education session where they are explained the downsides of being prone to addiction, and on how to strengthen their will in order to be able to lead a more normal life, while enjoying all the pleasures society has to offer

In this case, one evil cancels the other out for me, even though Im prone to addiction, Im too damn lazy, yesterday I was too lazy to even smoke..... or play Eve

 

[MauiMamma]

Yes, it is most definately a problem. But it is a problem that lies in the PEOPLE, not the games. What worries me is people blaming videogames for thier problems.

Hillary Clinton is a primo example of someone who doesnt want to take responsiblity. She blames videogames for the degredation of society and would probably do away with them alltogether if she could.

I have never and won't blame the games. That's ludicrous.
If I blame the games then my husband is at liberty to do the same, and if he did that he would not be taking responsiblity for his actions, as you say.
I completely agree.
"Anything" as quite a few have said, can be addictive. Coca Cola can be addictive. Does that mean that we should all do without, those that don't get addicted, because some are prone to addiction?

No.
I have never said that and never will.​

**THE PROBLEM IS WITH MY HUSBAND, NOT THE NECESSARILY THE VIDEO GAME.**​

MY HUSBAND has a problem with video gaming...

not:

Video games should be extinct.



I am glad we have come to an understanding on this...
I hope.

God bless you.

 

[Dust and Ashes]

Yes, it is most definately a problem. But it is a problem that lies in the PEOPLE, not the games. What worries me is people blaming videogames for thier problems.

Hillary Clinton is a primo example of someone who doesnt want to take responsiblity. She blames videogames for the degredation of society and would probably do away with them alltogether if she could.

Not that what I think matters but I'd like to clarify that when I said part of the blame lies with the games, I only meant that games are designed to be fun and engrossing and people who are predisposed to addiction can fixate on them. It's the same with any activity that people can become obsessed with such as sports.

Perhaps obsession might be a better term to use than addiction when referring to people who have a problem stepping away from games.