Video+Game+Addiction

=Video Game Addiction=

“Studies show that the excitement of video games makes playing them addictive.” -The Parent Report

Addiction has been defined as "A primary, chronic disease, characterized by impaired control over the use of a psychoactive substance and/or behaviour. Clinically, the manifestations occur along biological, psychological, sociological and spiritual dimensions" -Schlimme 2002

Introduction
Studies have shown that in the United States, over $9.8 billion were spent on video games in 2001 alone. Just about every home has a video game console- PS2, XBOX, Game Cube etc… If this increase in video game addiction keeps rising will we need a Video Gamers Anonymous?

What is Addiction?
Addiction is defined as being consistently or compulsively in something. It’s a psychological and physiological dependence on something that becomes uncontrolled by the person. Just like a drug/substance abuse, video game addictions can cause the same symptoms in use and withdrawal.

Symptoms

 * Having a sense of well-being or euphoria while at the computer
 * Inability to stop the activity
 * Craving more and more time at the computer
 * Neglect of family and friends
 * Feeling empty, depressed, irritable when not at the computer
 * Lying to employers and family about activities
 * Problems with school or job
 * Carpal tunnel syndrome
 * Dry eyes
 * Migraine headaches
 * Back aches
 * Eating irregularities, such as skipping meals
 * Failure to attend to personal hygiene
 * Sleep disturbances, change in sleep pattern

Cons To Excessive Video Gaming
Although the affects of video games vary within age groups, the most affected tend to be children. They are becoming increasingly popular with younger kids and this has formed the greatest age group for addiction. It can be proven to be quite detrimental. Aggressive video games tend to affect the behaviours of children negatively, by making them more violent. It’s true that not everything can be blamed on the video games, but they still carry their affect. In addition to that, other negative effects of video games can include lack of studying or homework and decreased social skills. Furthermore, in the news previously, a kid only about 12 years old shot and killed his grandmother, and when asked why did he do it, he replied that he thought it was ok to do it, because it happens in the game that he plays. This inevitably draws attention of parents concerning about violence in video games and their strong influences on their children. Many kids today thinks its ok to hold a gun and shoot at someone, because that is what happens in the game, so it must be the same in reality.

In addition, excessive playing can pull people away from society. They find it difficult to find a place in groups and tend to stick with what they do best instead. Families can also be torn apart. Instead of good quality time socializing gamers go into the corners of their room and attempt their next victory in a game.

Pros To Excessive Video Gaming
Despite the reported negative affects on video gaming, it has been reported that games without violence can prove to be great for puzzle solving, strategic and critical thinking. Even so, the game still need to be played in moderation, too much of anything can be bad. There still needs to be a balance in real life activities such as sports or reading. Due to the nature of video games, psychological, social, and neurological factors have all been associated with excessive video game playing.

Psychology
There is an emotional high created through video game playing. A persons gaming tactics create this adrenaline rush. This is where the addiction is created. S/He will continually play to try and push all limits to feel this high and eventually he or she will hit that climax. This cycle is repeated over and over again and eventually becomes the addiction. All the invested time into a game also creates this urge or need to continue so time wasn’t wasted. If the next level isn’t reached or the game isn’t finished all efforts are rendered useless and therefore the extra time people have are spent on video games and not more constructive activities.

On-line Aspects
As communication has expanded in the Information Age due to the internet, video gaming companies have been leading their influence into the global network. Such internet connectivity has even advanced on-line gaming to televisions and portable devices. But although the games stay the same from internet and non-internet use, the style of play becomes far more creative than any programmed game play. Since the internet has permitted the interaction of individuals, such game play is ever-evolving; adding unique actions to every moment of play. Therefore, this new intriguing style of video games encourages the intensity of human interaction with video games. Sites such as the On-Line Gamers Anonymous (http://www.olganon.org/) are dedicated to aid those addicted to on-line gaming in perticular.

Related Sites
Video Games Internet Addiction