Video Game Addiction: Is It Real?
Video games have quickly become a popular hobby for many preteens and teens across the world – and why not? Thanks to continually advancing technology and increasing plot sophistication, many gamers are becoming lost in these 3-D worlds. Even adults have gotten into the game according to a recent research report from the Pew Internet & American Life Project, with more than 53% of American adults playing a video game of some kind.
However, there are some teens and adults who can’t seem to differentiate between the real world and these video games; and many therapists are pushing to have addictive video game behavior classified as a real psychological disorder.
The debate surrounding whether or not compulsive video game behavior should be a diagnosable disorder is a heated one, with many video game manufacturers laughing at the idea that video games could spur on a mental illness. Even some therapists and doctors are hesitant to label compulsive video game usage as a treatable disorder, stating that it’s too early to make premature conclusions without further supporting evidence. No matter where you might stand on this debate, it’s important to acknowledge that compulsive video game behavior can be taken too far, leading to ruined relationships, dwindling finances and abnormal social behavior.
In the last few years a few sensational examples have surfaced, such as the story of a man in China who died after playing three straight days in an Internet café without stopping to eat, drink, or sleep. Then there was the story of a man who murdered, in real life, someone who had stolen his in-game weapon.
As over 90 percent of America’s youth play video and computer games, it’s a staggering fact to think that a portion of them could be addicted to these games. In fact, if video game addiction becomes a diagnosable psychiatric disorder, therapists predict that over 5 million children could be afflicted. Many parents believe that this figure is accurate as well, as more complaints about aberrant social behavior as a result of compulsive gaming have become common.
Rare cases of suicide have even been reported, with a 21-year-old committing suicide after too much gaming destroyed his life. This prompted his parents to found On-Line Gamers Anonymous, where addicts can seek help and support from other forum users. Several similar stories have been posted on the forum, where one user said that he felt suicidal after playing an online game nonstop for a full day.
More parents and activist groups are pushing to have video game addiction acknowledge as a real disorder, since it can have such a debilitating affect on a person’s life. From ruined friendships to alienation, more children and teenagers are displaying the kind of behavior that drug addicts and alcoholics show – with concerned parents and therapists worried that even more serious side effects could occur.
One doctor at Chicago’s Children’s Memorial hospital admits that she sees over two children each week suffering from video game addiction; in fact, one patient didn’t even shower or sleep for almost a week thanks to compulsive video game usage – which is a common symptom that afflicts both addicts and alcoholics.
Other doctors are ready to admit that video game addiction could be a secondary symptom of other mental disorders, such a compulsive disorders and social anxieties that would make virtual gaming worlds – where users can hide behind anonymity and create another personality – so appealing.
Tags: teens, Types of Addiction, video games
