Mental Health Expert Doesn't Think Videogame Addiction Exists

[badgersprite]

Mhmm. I agree completely. And I would apply this very same response to a lot of so-called addictions, which are really just lifestyles, or the result of pre-existing personality/psychological predispositions.

It's all marketing and media talk to convince people they're not responsible for their actions, or that human beings as a whole are sheep who can't control anything or have any individuality separate from their actions. They make video game addiction sound like something you catch, the same way as a flu. It's the same sort of thing that happens when people suddenly started describing obesity as a disease or an epidemic (excuse me while I go get my obesity vaccine). They only use these words because they're marketable, and they sound sexy on the news.

 

[Chewster]

Yeah, I'm with the skeptics on this one. While there may be a problem with people trying to bilk the system based on made-up diseases, anything that can change your brain chemistry in a positive way has the potential to be addictive.

Let's not get all high and mighty and start singing "We Are the Champions" quite yet. I love video games as much as the rest of you, but being presumptuous is not good either.

And addictions are tied to other problems and the substance itself is not the problem? How is this news? I thought that concept was already well established with just about everything.

 

[Eumersian]

People can get addicted to video games. Why not? I understand that most people who [i/]seem[/i] to be addicted aren't really, but I think it's jumping the gun a little to say that video game addiction doesn't exist in its own right.

I've heard of people who get addicted to running, because the adrenaline gives them a high. If they do it routinely, the person can get addicted to the euphoric feeling of adrenalin and make it so that they can't go a single day without running. Maybe if games do something similar, it could be the same way?

Then again, what do I know? I'm not a psychiatrist from Mass General.

 

[Fearzone]

I think he should play some World of WarCraft. Come back looking like Medivh and stuff. ;O

Heh heh, that would be funny if Blizzard gave him a free account in gratitude and we never hear from him again.

I just wanted to say, my hats of to anyone bucking the trend to pathologize everything. I'm also in a position to render an informed opinion on this sort of thing and I agree that videogame addiction and Internet addiction are BS and the courts tend to agree.

 

[SuccessAndBiscuts]

I appreciate what she's trying to do, but I'd say you can get hooked up to video games like in gambling etc.

"I'm going to disregard what a professional says because I clearly know more then they do."

I think what he is trying to say kinda mirrors my own view. Its not a full on chemical addiction and its almost always caused by other issues BUT that doesn't mean it doesn't occur and probably requires a slightly different approach.

This guy seems to share the same kind of opinion too.

Definitely in the right direction but I think people can develop an addictive personality to anything including games. But yes, its not as bad as parents and overly concern people hype it up to be.

As my Dad says, everything in moderation.

My mother's saying as well. "Everything in moderation, no exceptions."

I say that too, but with one slight alteration...

"Everything in moderation, including moderation." Sometimes excess is just more fun, the trick is in knowing where to draw the line. eg: 120mph on a motorbike, excessive speed? Absolutely but do it on a track not on a public road.

 

[Et3rnalLegend64]

Honestly? While I wouldn't go out and say "no-one in the world is addicted to videogames", it's still a bit like saying "no-one in the world is addicted to television or the internet".

Have I missed something here? From what I gathered all he said was things that look like video game addiction are really other things entirely. That gets a 'well, duh' from me.

But to say that video game addiction doesn't exist? That's nonsense! ANYTHING in the world can become addictive. Literally ANYTHING. From the highest class drugs to the most menial of tasks; if someone has an addictive personality, weak will, pre-existing mental issues and a habit of doing something, it can become an addiction.

I don't see why something as fun as gaming should be excluded from the list of things people can get addicted to.

This and this. People shouldn't say that stuff is absolutely one way or the other. It's usually wrong. Video game addiction likely does exist, it's just that there tend to be reasons behind it. I'd think the same goes for every other kind of addiction. Either there's some mental reason behind it, or it's some drug that makes you addicted.

 

[jonnosferatu]

Disagree with title, agree with article.

 

[superbatranger]

I think he should play some World of WarCraft. Come back looking like Medivh and stuff. ;O

According to my friends, WoW sucks you in something terrible. But, as long as you do other things, you can play games as much as you want.

It can, but it is a matter of willpower. If you can resist the addiction, it's not that bad. xD

True. Granted, I've never had a computer that could run World of Warcraft so I can't exactly pass judgement on it.

 

[Logic 0]

She is the winner of this field of science.

 

[Dirty Apple]

First off, one little niggling annoyance of mine, it's addictive not addicting. Ok with that out of the way...

I think all she's trying to say is that it isn't physically addictive, just possibly mentally addictive. And, that those who are already susceptible to addiction will eventually latch onto something. That something could be any of but not exclusive to food, working out, shopping, gambling, pornography, and, our personal favorite, gaming.

Also, in my personal and unprofessional experience, removing one addiction source usually just causes them to find a substitute. My example would be my former boss replacing alcohol with gambling.

 

[fundayz]

But that doesn't mean video games have an especially addicting nature. If they don't, I know see what the meaning in "acting like responsible people and admitting that there are problems with some of the things we do, even if they are dearly important to us" is if video games are only as problematic as everything else.

No they are not extremely addictive, its not like a drug or anything. However, just look at stories we hear.

Kids throwing temper tantrums over games. People spending 30-50 hours a week gaming. Girlfriends dumping boyfriends because they play day and night. MMO's and their ridiculously addictive nature. And that's without getting into the territory of the crazies; people letting their babies starve to death, starving to death themselves, playing for multi-day gaming binges.

All of these things show us that videogames can, and do, become addictions. Might this addiction be a symptom of some underlying problem? Yes, sometimes, but an addiction nonetheless.

 

[aschere van she]

This dude obviously isn't a mental health expert, you can become psychologically addicted to pretty much anything...

 

[Relnik]

heck i have a.d.d. the reason i play games is because there are so many dramatically different landscapes for me to look at and feast my eyes on games normally are able to hold my attention even puzzle games because colored falling bricks can be just as much fun to look at as a dramatic artic wasteland or a high tech floating city its these things that keep me focused on games and movies thats actually why i liked avatar its immersive 3D it sets this visual landscape that i can endlessly stare into and find new things

 

[Weaver]

Meanwhile, another guy in China dies because he can't stop playing WoW.

 

[Nouw]

I beg to differ, people can be addicted to video games but nevertheless, I am quite happy with this result.

Meanwhile, another guy in China dies because he can't stop playing WoW.

And a baby dies in South Korea because their parents are playing Starcraft. By the way, I am Korean.

[sub]Long time no see![/sub]

 

[Freethinker101]

Well, I don't believe "Gaming" is a mental disability or a disease, it's simply a way for certain people to escape life, or a "Cheer me up" motive.
But certain people who consider video games a way to connect school shootings, and suicides, probably haven't played video games. In truth though all video games do is distract us from real life, we don't need it like a crack addict looking for his next dose, but those who do have a problem with gaming, should get out more, or simply read a book...
Also PM's, or Governments, Parliaments ect... Trying to get elected saying they will stem the flow of video games have no idea how it will impact the gaming community, many will think its an outrage which will simply show that elected officials are right, buts it the same if we take their money... But what am I saying I'm getting of topic; no, video games are not disability's, but a way for people to enjoy them self nothing more...

 

[fanklok]

I love this doctor.

 

[PrototypeC]

I'd say she's right, it is an addictive habit but does not count as a treatable condition. However, I would say that this is just one co-director for one mental health center in one state. Her opinion isn't going to turn many big decision-making heads.

Hopefully she'll be the first of many, though.