Video game addiction "not a mental disorder"

If you've been thinking lately that your video game habit is getting a bit excessive, don't worry. According to reports this week, doctors backed away from a proposal that would have designated certain types of video gaming as a mental disorder (similar to alcoholism or gambling addiction) -- so you can rest easy knowing that whatever it is that you're doing to yourself probably isn't that big of a deal. We attempted to speak to two avid gamers concerning the decision, but one was busy fighting Razorgore the Untamed in WoW, and the other claimed that he didn't have a problem and could quit whenever he wanted.

[Emily @ Jun 25th 2007 1:29AM]

Atari ftw! It was my first console ever!

[Major Malfunction @ Jun 25th 2007 1:32AM]

If it means someone licking my joystick. I'm in.

[Dr Rumble @ Jun 25th 2007 1:34AM]

What I don't think is right is that Americans can sit in front of a television all day long, and no one thinks anything is wrong about that.

At least our brains are semi-active and alert when we're pwning n00bs.

[Macandron @ Jun 25th 2007 4:26AM]

Well, still, a TV watcher isn't likely to skip a day of school or call in sick to work because of a certain TV show. ;)

[Othello @ Jun 25th 2007 7:55AM]

@Mac Only because there's nothing good on during the day. Well, except for Ellen.

[Christian Martin @ Jun 25th 2007 9:56PM]

@ Macandron

You've obviously never dated someone who's into Buffy the Vampire Slayer...

[Luke @ Jun 25th 2007 1:38AM]

When you're making 40k+ in CSS and traveling from city to city to play, its more so a job then an addiction. http://break.com/index/mom-tells-kid-no-more-warcraft.html
^^ that though is a mental disorder.

[Darrol @ Jun 25th 2007 1:56AM]

I don't think it is really a mental illness but I do believe that it is a sign that people have absolutely no lives, but when someone turns down friends to play a game, there is something wrong. I know, I have been in the situation and I look back on it now and think "what the hell was I thinking."

[brandon @ Jun 25th 2007 2:18AM]

I wonder how many pockets were lined to get them to back down. The Gaming industry certainly has the assets to lobby who ever they want. This is hardly a clear cut vindication for video gamers or the gaming industry.

I don't see how it's any different than gambling addiction, the only difference is you don't loose hard cash every time you push a button (unless your getting nutty with the gold in WOW, but thats another story).

With all that said, I do loves me some Halo, Super Paper Mario, StarCraft, and Command and Conquer.

[sshah87 @ Jun 25th 2007 1:11PM]

If the gaming industry has such great lobbying power, why are the majority of our politicians on a "moral crusade" against video games?

[Logan Renz @ Jun 25th 2007 2:57PM]

And the casinos and booze co's don't?

[Nate @ Jun 25th 2007 2:48AM]

Of course it's not a "mental disorder." Even mental disorders aren't mental disorders. Psychiatrists are so full of BS their breath stinks.

[Big D @ Jun 25th 2007 3:32AM]

Whether there are actually 'mental disorders' depends on the definition of mental disorders. How would you define mental disorders that would exclude the the numerous so-called documented psychological conditions (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, Alzheimer's, dissociative personality disorder...etc). Why are you so sure that our mental organ (brain) cannot be disordered when every other organ in our body can.

Also, psychiatrists are in no way the only professionals that identify and define psychological disorders.

[nicleT @ Jun 25th 2007 2:48AM]

... just a mental floss...

[L. Cyphre @ Jun 25th 2007 3:33AM]

So I'm not mentally disturbed? YAY! *starts WoW*

[Darrol @ Jun 25th 2007 3:41AM]

Mentally disordered... not for being addicted to Wow.

Mentally disturbed... that is not what this is all about.

[Rex @ Jun 25th 2007 5:40AM]

Just one more turn...

www.civanon.com

[Chess Baron @ Jun 25th 2007 6:59AM]

Play real games -but how about bridging the problem, get a chess computer and get used to chess, then progress to the real tactile equivilent - chess

[Luke @ Jun 25th 2007 7:21AM]

POPPYCOCK

[Grant @ Jun 25th 2007 8:36AM]

anything with enjoyable qualities has the potential to be psychologically addictive.

it just depends if a bunch of doctors with the combined age of fossils think that it's enough of addiction to be classified as a disorder.

[Matt @ Jun 25th 2007 10:35AM]

Who the hell is still fighting Razorgore? O.o

WoW FTW! I can rest easy knowing that I don't have a problem.

Seriously, I can (and have) stop playing whenever I want. I just enjoy it.

[Josh @ Jun 25th 2007 1:44PM]

Uhhh.. razorgore is only bwl.. ++ it's prebc.. come on engadget..

[TOmind @ Jun 25th 2007 2:29PM]

does anyone have a link to the psychiatrist story in which this pronouncement is made? thanks ...

[Koji @ Jun 25th 2007 2:37PM]

I wouldn't call it a disorder, however Game Addiction is a real and very serious problem.

As a recovering Online Game addict with an actual education, allow me to provide some insight:

Certain games require a LOT of coordination and eye movement. This activity juices up your adrenal glands, though in smaller amounts than a real life or death situation. These smaller amounts of adrenaline are secreted to keep you going, however it's those tiny doses that cause the problem. Eventually, your body gets used to a certain amount of adrenaline in your system and starts getting pissed off without it - so you go for what makes you feel better, the game. Since many online games are ongoing, you play it for a LOT longer than your usual single player game (even with replay value), something our bodies were never really meant to do. With moderation, this sort of thing can be avoided, but I find it REALLY difficult to moderate my time on games that do the adrenaline trick, simply because it's more difficult to notice the passing of time when you're so zoned-in.

Essentially, certain MMOs generate an adrenaline depenancy over a period of time if you play often enough, creating the addiction.

Man, I was pissed when I found a WoW DVD in my Starcraft Battlechest. Thank God this stupid laptop would never be able to run WoW. T_T

[Macandron @ Aug 3rd 2007 8:31AM]

That describes my gaming addiction perfectly! Tiny rushes of adrenaline, with the excitement "what's around the next corner?" "When do I reach the next level?" "When can I purchase the next item?" and so on. Limitless tiny rewards to keep you going for the next adrenaline rush. And time disappears.

Between 1999 - 2001, I spent over 1500 hours in total playing a MUD (I know because there were counters keeping track of the active online lifespan of your character). And that's a text-based game. I can only try to imagine the addiction I would develop for WoW if I let myself start it. Fortunately I have learned not to. :D

[willy @ Jun 26th 2007 11:15AM]

my first console too!


by the way, can i change link with you?
my website is http://www.ptptips.cn

[Kasia @ Oct 16th 2007 4:45PM]

Hey,

Want to weigh in on video game addiction-- a real issue or just hype?

We want your comments, webcam responses, and links which you can post here:

http://current.com/items/77414191_are_video_games_the_new_cocaine

On current.com you can join our expanding global dialog-- and you just might end up on TV.

Thanks!

Kasia

[docsharp01 @ Mar 31st 2008 9:47PM]

Excellent article and comments about video game addiction.
http://www.1-satellite-tv-facts.com

[Tristan @ Nov 18th 2008 7:55PM]

wtf is that picture?