Obsessive Gaming Not A Disorder, Yet

Medical Group Backs Off Naming Excessive Video-Game Playing A Psychiatric Disorder

(AP)  The American Medical Association on Wednesday backed off calling excessive video-game playing a formal psychiatric addiction, saying instead that more research is needed.

A report prepared for the AMA's annual policy meeting had sought to strongly encourage that video game addiction be included in a widely-used diagnostic manual of psychiatric illnesses.

AMA delegates instead adopted a watered-down measure declaring that while overuse of video games and online games can be a problem for children and adults, calling it a formal addiction would be premature.

"There's no science to support it," said Dr. Stuart Gitlow, an addiction medicine specialist.

Despite a lack of scientific proof, Jacob Schulist, 14, of Hales Corners, Wis. says he's certain he was addicted to video games — and that the AMA's vote was misguided.

Until about two months ago, when he discovered a support group called On-Line Gamers Anonymous, Jacob said he played online fantasy video games for 10 hours straight some days.

He said his habit got so severe that he quit spending time with family and friends.

"My grades were horrible, I failed the entire first semester" this past school year because of excessive video-game playing, he said, adding, "It's like they're your life."

But delegates voted to have the AMA encourage more research on the issue, including seeking studies on what amount of video game playing and other "screen time" is appropriate for children.

Under the new policy, the AMA also will send the revised video game measure to the American Psychiatric Association, asking it to consider the full report in an ongoing revision of its diagnostic manual.

The psychiatry group's current manual, the DSM-IV, was published in 1994; the next edition is to be completed in 2012.

Dr. Louis Kraus, a psychiatric association spokesman, said the report will be a helpful resource for the group.

The AMA's seven-page report says up to 90 percent of American youngsters play video games and that up to 15 percent of them — more than 5 million kids — might be addicted.

The report, prepared by the AMA's Council on Science and Public Health, also says "dependence-like behaviors are more likely in children who start playing video games at younger ages."

Internet role-playing games involving multiple players, which can suck kids into an online fantasy world, are the most problematic, the report says. That's the kind of game Jacob Schulist says hooked him.

Kraus, chief of child and adolescent psychiatry at Chicago's Rush Medical Center, said behavior that looks like addiction in video game players may be a symptom of social anxiety, depression or another psychiatric problem.

He praised the AMA report for recommending more research.

"They're trying very hard not to make a premature diagnosis," Kraus said.

[hollyt2-2009]

It boils down to if they put a diagnosed name to it.The AMA and Drug and drug companies can start making money off it. once the make up a name for a condition they control it. have you noticed everything has a name now and its more costly to treat. We grew up with Heart-burn now its acid reflux and many other names and is a multi billion dollar business. Hey! baking soda and water worked for us..

[oakishpines]

if trillions went to maximum wage folk dancing get sick soon you are gone die die die tax the world first strike on the trail songs, then: why did not billions go to minimum wage folk dancing get well soon you are here why why why feed the world first aid on the trail songs? and would it have made a difference? at any rate: now trillions go to minimum wage folk dancing get well soon you are here why why why feed the world first aid on the trail songs and billions go to folk dancing get well soon you are here why why why feed the world first aid on the trail songs and nothing and no one goes to the people with the little lines of people begging for the opportunity to beg to be treated to one or a few folk dancing get sick soon you are gone die die die tax the world first strike on the trail songs

[michellem99-2009]

I like the one person games myself. As legally blind person,I have never cared for the multi players ones. I only play single person ones ,computer vs me. I feel the rating is good. I think the games have their place. I have Fate. I think everybody plays games on computer. Some go overboard. The ones that I don't like are the military ones. I love Star Trek and I have seen them all. I don't have the Star Trek game pc game yet. Is there a single person game or mode built in?

[consciousnes]

I don't know what "oakishpines" is smokin, but I agree with "hollyt2" about the drug companies. The only trouble is, without a name, you cannot get help with such a problem.
Actually, I think these games should be restricted to 18 years old or older. After a kid grows up and learns the difference between reality and fantisy.
The way it is right now, kids sometimes can't tell the difference.
My grand sons were almost totally adited to gameboys until their time was restricted by their parents and they started playing sports. At least their parents had the forsight to make them get back into the real world.
I truly believe that all these school shootings and a lot of other violent crimes and vandalisms are partially caused by kids not living in the real world.
Prior to all the violence on the TV and in movies along with these games, kids didn't have violent roll models that were not punished in some way.

[missyx21]

(1)

I'm 22 and I play MMORPGs along with my boyfriend(24yrs old), some friends(21yrs old-28yrs old), and a few co-workers(ones 24 and the other is 37). I work in the insurance industry with a 9-5 job so does he and so does my co-workers. We are normal hard working people. We have friends who play and friends who don't, and we have a very active social life.

It only becomes escalates into an addiction when you as a parent can't/won't control how much time your child spends playing a day. I mean I wouldn't let my kid play for 10 hours straight.(I don't have kids) These kids aren't hiding in a basement somewhere playing, they're playing right in front of their parents and if their parents don't do anything about it, nothing will happen.

[missyx21]

(2)


Most of these MMORPGs are free or they're pay to play. For the pay to play, you have to pay a monthly fee to pay. Guess who's paying for their child to play, the parents. For the free MMORPGs, the only reason they are free is because instead of making their player pay to play, they have items in the game where you can't have it unless you buy it with real money. And yes people do buy it, and most of them are making their parents buy it for them. And most of the time the parents don't even know what they're paying for.


And yes parents, you should be worried about your kids. You shouldn't just use games as a babysitter, that's how kids get addicted. We've all heard and know about this but let me say it, there are actual bad people who go on there just to pray on kids.

****bottom line, control how much your child spends on there so that you don't need to drug them up for this future addiction.

[rushlimpdrug]

"Obsessive Gaming Not A Disorder, Yet"
If it isn't a a disorder yet then it shouldn't be a story yet either.
Here's another good headline:
Paris Hilton Is Not Pregnant Yet"

[draugwolf]

QUAKE 3 ... MADE ME DO IT LOL

[jimbo505]

video games are not harmful

[random_radar]

What a laugh! A kid who thinks playing 10 hours is a sign of addiction? I was playing 8 hours every weeknight and 20 hours a day on weekends. I was getting by on 3 hours sleep a night for months. Now, that's more like addiction.

If you want to do an article about the evils of computer games, at least try finding people in the big leagues. Oh, wait, they are too busy for an interview...

[jolsonbear]

Aboriginal Footwraps of the Whale
Binds When Equipped

Feet Cloth

20 Armor
+2 Spirit
2 Stamina
Requires Level 11

[michellem99-2009]

I don't blame the children as much the lazy parents. Yes. I can see the educational ones for children to learn and play. Some are too into your face. A teen oaght not play them shooting ones as their mind can't handle the action or know it is just game and not real. Parents have never put their foot down in fear what lil Jane/John would do. They are not the boss. So thats right Mum/Dad are too busy multi tasking,driving to partys.keeping up with the Joneses, and the like. So wake up Mum/Dad. Read about the games and if they violates your values system,you can ban it in your home. There have to be family style games that can be played on computer that won't send the wrong message when played. Don't buy blindly. I am older.

[smasterb]

I'm 22 and I play MMORPGs along with my boyfriend (24yrs old), some friends(21yrs old-28yrs old), and a few co-workers(ones 24 and the other is 37). I work in the insurance industry with a 9-5 job so does he and so does my co-workers. We are normal hard working people. We have friends who play and friends who don't, and we have a very active social life.
Posted by missyX21

Denial doesn't make a belief true... go to an AA meeting and you will hear this very description of the life of a "newcomer". Being an addict does not mean you can't function. And such stereotypes are products of ignorance and denial. No one wants to face his or her character defects. Whatever they may be.
P.S. What is normal anyway?

[willylou11]

My estimation is that there is no problem and people are just looking for an excuse to justify their excessive behavior. I say this as someone who once played way to many video games. The problem is not that they can't quit playing, they just don't want to. I didn't want to either. I was finally forced outdoors, and restricted on how much i could play video games. Personally, i wonder what kind of parent lets their kid zone out on a video game. I think it's the kind of parent that is to wrapped up in themselves to give a *** about their kids. They figure, just plug in the babysitter and I don't have to deal with them. Well, I think it's high time parents started taking a more active role in their kids lives, and maybe we wouldn't have some of the problems we have.

[willylou11]

correction to last comment, who lets their kid zone out on a video game for 10 straight hours.

[michellem99-2009]

Next the parents will want a human looking robot as caretaker to mind their children. When they became parents,their lives changed due to children. It is a 24/7 duty. Party time ended at the birth of baby. Too busy for the children,sorry make the time. Is it any wonder the kids get messed up. They have parents that never grew up. If it isn't computer games,TV, music today. Tomorrow it will be something else. I say the problem is THE PARENTS. They are push overs. Or they can't be borhered so they have their kids medicated. I have seen them in stores, fast food places. The kids are NOT taught any manners as their behaviour must be the same at home. The kids can save the game and come back to it after homework,duties are done. When they have free time. This is the time to be a kid and play outdoors.

[missyx21]

smasterb

How can you compare gaming to AA?!?!---I haven't kill/hurt anyone with these fingers yet. I haven't even hurt myself. But I must go to rehab like the rest of America. Because that's America's solution for everything. REHAB?!?!

Normal to me is being a productive citizen, I went to school, I work, pay my taxes, am not on any government programs, have never been arrested for any reason but you know what, you're right, that's not the norm anymore. Am I too shelter for you, I need to go out and cause some trouble. Go out bust a few windows here and there. Steal a few cars, go drinking every night like most 22 yr olds(we all know that what 22yr olds do), sleep around, stop working, pop a few babies here and there and get on government support programs. Is that your norm?

I choose to play games while most of my friends choose to drink and party the night away. JUST CAUSE I'M NOT ADDICTED TO DRINKING DOESN'T MEAN AMERICA HAS TO MAKE UP ANOTHER LABEL FOR ME.

[missyx21]

AMERICA now a days seem to want/need a name for everything. Calling fat a disease now gaming's is a addiction. lol, America is just trying to find an EXCUSE for why their kids are FAT. You hear people screaming, "my kid is FAT because he's "ADDICTED" to GAMING." LOL

maybe they're just FAT because you as a parent allow them to eat like pigs and use computer games as a babysitter.

Parent have no one to blame but themselves. They buy the games, the don't control the amount of time spent on a computer. So before you start labeling your kids as addicts, you need to label yourself as neglective parents. Because that's where it all starts.

[michellem99-2009]

Missyx21,I am not after you. I am a legally blind person who has to adgree,America got to label everything or America is not happy. So yes play as you don't need that partying lifestlye. I hace never smoked /never drank/never partyed the reason,health issues. Everybody plays games on computer. Some won't stop playing when they have duties. The problem with the young parents is their parents were not parents to them so now the young parents doing the same or worse to their children today. I was 52 when I got a computer. I am not after the game player WHO plays right. and turn it off. The games are not baby sitters. I was raised in foster care years ago. We used to play outdoors. Now everyone don't. Children are fat cos Mum uses food to quiet whiny kids.