Comments on: Video Game Addiction: A Medical Disorder?

American Medical Association Seeks To Have Obsessive Game Playing Declared A Psychiatric Disorder

[drivelphobe]

Many people, including children, play the games to avoid life and it's challenges. Depression is a real motivator behind addiction to diversionary activities such as these time-consuming, thoughtless games. It certainly cannot be deemed a "medical" condition or else Blue Cross will raise it's premiums even more to cover all the office vistis, surgery and medications. Oh wait. it'll be covered under medicaid and welfare, so why worry. It's like any other addiction. If you can't stop it, then you get to deal with the consequences.

[puzzler125]

Shoujoboy...Imagine this for a moment. There's a hurricane and you are without electricity for two solid weeks. Besides no power for your refrigerator and other appliaces you are without internet access and cannot play any video games. Would you still say 4+ hours a day is not at least a "strong desire" to play a video game if not an addiction? I admit that when our cable modem went out and I could not access the internet, as well as the time I was awaiting the shipment of my new laptop, that I got the fidgets something terrible. I decided to read instead and realized that I was becoming addicted, if not already addicted, to the internet and online gaming.

[Syndicate]

Fun is addictive. we should ban fun. Drugs are fun at least at first. Street racing is fun until the police smash your car. Gambling is fun if your lucky. Video games are fun. My personal addiction is LEGO.

[aaeaaangel]

I am a mother of two boys that play WOW. I have to say that I too have played online games before and I am aware of how addicting it can be. Not wanting to turn it off just to level or whatever...
Unfortunately, my oldest son especially, they don't know when it's time to stop. My oldest is a first year college student and failed all of his classes this past semester. He stays up all night playing the game and then sleeps all day. He has also lost jobs because of this.
My other son is getting to be just as bad. He failed three of his classes this last semester and he is only 14!
I am convinced that this is an addiction.

[rebeljan]

It can be addicting, the key is self-discipline. I'm a 53 yr old mom, with 2 sons, both played WOW for 2 years. I've played for 1 1/2 yrs, now my oldest has quit, and youngest has lost intrest. I still actively play. I agree the "tie that binds" is the interaction with people in your guild and on your server. I find it neat to know people from all areas of the country or world, and have some close friends I've traded emails with. I log on to check on them as much as to play the game. I work full time and play at night after chores, or on weekends when not gone or at church. I can see how it could be a BIG problem for people not disciplined or not supervised enough. I enjoy it, and do not feel I am addicted to the game. It may be a big problem with youth.. but I think there are bigger problems in the world right now.

[rebeljan]

Addiction to anything is possible, and self-discipline is always the key. I am a 53 yr old mom, 2 sons who have played WOW for 2 years. I have played for 1 1/2 yrs. The oldest has now quit, the youngest has lost interest, and I am still actively playing. I have full time job, and get done what is necessary in my life. I agree that it is interaction with people in your server and guild that keeps you coming back, more than just the game. I play at night when my chores are done, and on weekends when not busy or at church. I enjoy knowing people from all over the country, and a few close friends and I even email each other. I understand some people get addicted to it.. just like they might drugs or alcohol. I see how that can happen easily. Have to know when to walk away and take a break, as with anything!

[rebeljan]

Addiction to anything is possible, and self-discipline is always the key. I am a 53 yr old mom, 2 sons who have played WOW for 2 years. I have played for 1 1/2 yrs. The oldest has now quit, the youngest has lost interest, and I am still actively playing. I have full time job, and get done what is necessary in my life. I agree that it is interaction with people in your server and guild that keeps you coming back, more than just the game. I play at night when my chores are done, and on weekends when not busy or at church. I enjoy knowing people from all over the country, and a few close friends and I even email each other. I understand some people get addicted to it.. just like they might drugs or alcohol. I see how that can happen easily. Have to know when to walk away and take a break, as with anything!

[sonicdb]

On a serious note. This is just a sign of the times. The people not playing the games only see the individual in front of a television screen or computer monitor. To them that looks like the person playing the game is withdrawn from their family or friends. They are not. They are interacting with REAL people (assuming they are playing online). Dialog is exchanged and friendships are made. In the online game world...even while playing the same game, everyday for hours. You will rarely come across the exact same scenario. Things are fluid and dynamic. That keeps things interesting. Tossing in world wide rankings and stats for a certain game takes it to a competitive level, which could very well be the addiction itself. Now, if an individual can sit and play an offline game for 10-12 hours straight everyday! That may be a problem. Video games are here to stay. With faster internet speeds coming and the media storage capacity. The games will only get that much better and all the more "addicting".

[shoujoboy-2009]

For those of you who do not want to call it an addition, what do you call a 21-year-old who plays on the computer from the time he gets up to the time he goes to bed? He has no job, does not attend college, does not help around the house, and RARELY goes anywhere.
Posted by ddgrounds at 10:58 AM : Jun 22, 2007

First off I wouldn't call it an addition, I call 2+2 addition. Second, I would call him an idiot who lacks self control. If he has no job and sits around the house then it isn't the video games that's to blame. It's his own laziness and lack of drive. That is all.

[sonicdb]

This article is ridiculous! I've been playing video games for 25 years. I ain't hooked! :)

[ddgrounds]

For those of you who do not want to call it an addition, what do you call a 21-year-old who plays on the computer from the time he gets up to the time he goes to bed? He has no job, does not attend college, does not help around the house, and RARELY goes anywhere.

[itwasntme000]

I forgot to say that yea the only game i play is WOW
To me its gotta be one of the best games ever made. Also one of the most annoying because some people just plain suck at the game and i wish they would quit. (aka hunters espically). I am talking end game which is the only purpose to playing the game.

It depends how you define addiction.(read my last post on withdrawls). To me just using addiction dosent work as well here as entertaining does. WOW is the most entertaining/addictive games ever, I mean if you can sit their for 15 hours str8 and not be bored you must be enjoying it. Call it what you must but if I am not entertained while playing it I dont play it. Some nights when noone is on vent and few are online doing anything I get bored and stop playing for the night. If i had to pinpoint the most addictive element of the game i would go for the interactions between you and your guild members. Talking using a MIC on programs to people in the game day in and day out BS'ing about stuff. Me if all their was was typing and the game I would have quit the game long long ago.

[shoujoboy-2009]

I'm so tired of people wanting to give everything the title of "disorder" and wanting to treat and medicate. It's called self control. I myself am a gamer and can easily put in an excess of 4+ hours daily in video gaming. I love playing video games but I don't disregard my responsibilites and duties. It's hard to put down a good game but if it's between finishing a level and doing something I NEED to do, guess that level gets to wait.

Oh and nice job CBS using the N64 controller... how up to date.

This is a BIG JOKE!! What a crock!!!

[roesch21]

I play World of Warcraft and I'm an addict. Ok there's my first step to resolving this issue. As someone who plays video games such as WOW i would have to say "yes" video games become addicting.

[itwasntme000]

THIS IS NOT A MENTAL DISORDER. Those of us that play the game do so because WE CHOOSE to play it. If the kid stops doing his homework due to something more entertaining then that is his problem. Maybe he needs more consequenses and threats brought upon him.

I'll admit some days i play a bit to much, 12 + hours straight. But seriously i work 40 hours a week now and playing the game has never interfered with this. I also had went thru the last 2 years of college playing this game. 3.5 gpa full time with working a job on weekends for 16-20 hours a week. Point being it depends on the person. Blame what you must but if a game can stop the kid from doing homework and whatnot then many many other things also can, such as TV, girlfriend, drugs/alachol, painting, writing, drawing, reading ect. When i have found a good book i have spent around 10 hours straight reading it every day till it is done. I imagine when some people get into drawing or painting something the same thing happens. Are these mental disorders to!!!

the defining characteristic to addiction is physical withdrawal symptoms. The only thing that would happen to me if i quit the game would be extreme boredom because I would have to find something else to fill the time with. and TV sucks, maybe i could find some books, maybe i would just go and get trashed at the bar every night. who knows but i don't want that life. Who are others to tell me how to live my life.

[tsarmina]

Anything can become addictive when taken to extremes. Fat America is addictive to a sedentary lifestyle and excessive eating habits. People can overdo shopping, gambling or even exercising.
Moderation is the key. If a person has trouble moderating a certain activity, they should have the option to find help and guidence.

[linfinster]

My son was very much addicted to video games, World of Warcraft, an awesome game, was the last straw for me. His schoolwork didn't get done and he was failing classes, I lost control! It's the parents job to deal with this too. Many a nights we argued about his staying up late -out of school at 2PMish and bam! On the computer until midnight. What a mess! He barely eeked by graduating. So, now we have summer with lot's of time. Yeah, Yeah, I'll get a job ... NOPE! The solution for us? Ship him off to Dad's house across the country and put him to work there! HA! It worked. Boy am I lucky, boy is HE lucky! 1 1/2 yrs later and he is doing great! But I miss him.
Should this be it's own diagnosis? Just to shed light on it? No, but it does need to be talked about more.

[brianbwb-2009]

Sorry, I meant "destructive"...

[brianbwb-2009]

How about we call right wing extremist racism a mental disorder? It also harms people, is detrimental to personal health, and has a common delusional architecture based on fear and lack of self esteem, sociopathic lack of empathetic capability, and resolute belief in proven false versions of reality.

Video games should be a lesser priority, as it is a less important bestructive behavioral problem.