I think many of these types of addictions are a psychological dependence as a result of subliminal influence or programming. For example, if you play a game extensively then go to bed later you may find your mind throwing images or thoughts about that game at you before you go to sleep. It's like working on a production line in a factory - doing the same thing repeatedly. You try to go to sleep in the night only to find that in your mind it's almost like you cannot help thinking about doing that job over and over again, as though you are becoming a robot. of course, this is exactly how subliminal persuasion/programming/mind control etc work.
It really isn´t though. The line is easy.. how much is it affecting your normal life. There aer people who completely destroy their lives, jobs and relationships because of games.
Video game addiction may not be quite subtle at this point of time but a few years down the line it's gonna be a huge problem. I know many people who get addicted to video games throughout their lives, and their social lives get restricted to the virtual world, the lines of reality and fiction get blurred, these people become aloof of their real lives and the avatar they take up in these games becomes their true being. I've seen people who at the age of forty years do not have a life and live in their parents' basement. It's sad.
I think anything which people can really enjoy and which take them away from reality can be addictive and should be looked at as being such. Whether than be video games, drugs or sex; anything which can produce a feeling which cannot be reproduced anywhere else in life can be dangerous and should not be treated lightly.
I guess they are not that harmful unless priorities are already neglected and as you said careers are affected. It could definitely be an addiction, especially those who spend very long hours playing, forgetting to do daily activities like eating, taking a bath and the like. Therapists I think have knowledge about this and finding the right one would help these people.
Whatever you do you need to be reasonable and restrict yourself. In all activities there should be a balance. As humans we have the ability to reason and we know when we are going overboard. We need to control ourselves in all things or get the help we need.
While video game addiction isnt a recognized addiction as such, I still feel that any activity than can cause a detriment to a person can be classed as an addiction. I know people that have lost friends, partners and fallen out with family members due to their life style with video games. Playing video games 15 hours a day and not going to bed till 4AM every day is obviously going to put a strain on most relationships. While this is probably not as serious as somebody who takes illegal substances or even legal such as alcohol, I still believe that addiction to video games does need to be researched into more, especially now whith the rise of net gen gaming, its becoming more and more frequent that people are locking themselves away and escaping from the real world into a virtual one. While, like anything, in moderation computer games can be enjoying, i certainly feel there can be a darker side to them aswell.
Video game addiction is real. Although gaming addiction is not yet officially recognized as a diagnosable disorder.Video games are becoming increasingly complex, detailed, and compelling to a growing international audience of players. With better graphics, more realistic characters, and greater strategic challenges, it’s not surprising that some teens would rather play the latest video game than hang out with friends, play sports, or even watch television.Video game addiction is described as an impulse control disorder, which does not involve use of an intoxicating drug and is very similar to pathological gambling. Video game addiction has also been referred to as video game overuse, pathological or compulsive/excessive use of computer games and/or video games.Gaming addictions result in personal, family, academic, financial, and occupational problems that are characteristic of other addictions.Many persons who attempt to quit their Game use experience withdrawal including: anger, depression, relief, fantasies about the game, mood swings, anxiety, fear, irritability, sadness, loneliness, boredom, restlessness, procrastination, and upset stomach.
I think that we need to recognize video game addiction. It's like an addition to anything else - food, drugs, sex, money - in the end, it will be detrimental to the person. Plus, video games addition is one where you don't even move around, as opposed to an addiction to working out or running. In any case, video game addiction will isolate the individual from things grounded in the real world, and the victim will eventually have an unrealistic view of things that will definitely be to his/her detriment in real life.
I think that video game addiction is a real thing that can wreak havoc on someone's life. Of course it isn't as bad as trying to quit hard drugs but the lure video games have on people can be hard to resist. I think someone who is struggling with lessening their time playing video games should be able to talk to a community that will support them in their endeavors.
People can be addicted to anything at all. Including video games. Video game addiction can be very real, I agree. It's obviously not comparable to being addicted to say, hard drugs, but I have heard horror stories of people losing their jobs and their families because they can't stop playing. People have even died from continuously playing and not taking any breaks. It's horrifying. Video games can be a fun past-time, but you have to limit the amount you play or else you could end up with an addiction...
Well I think "addiction" is a bit of a strong word. That being said I tink that video games have huge influence on players and may in fact lead to something like an addiction. Some games lead to increased adrenaline and other hormons production which can be very addictive. They are also dangerous since many of them offers rewards for playing it (achievments and such).
I don't think video game addiction is that concerning though. I'm one of those people that you might call video game addicted. I'm on video game whenever I'm awake and I'd hardly do anything besides gaming but if I have a workday tomorrow or if there is something urgent, I just turn off my PC and walk away.
It is an addiction but it's not something that is as bad as toxic substances. Sure, it has it perks and cons because one can play video games all day and not socialize because he's addicted but video games can also be one's place where he forgets about all his problems and worries.
Good thing I already went through video game addiction. I can now control my gaming hours, unlike the past years when I would game for 10 hours straight a day.
I don't think it's a hard addiction . It's true that video game addiction effects our study's but it refreshing us too. There is a need to get control on himself so that we manage our time for studies.
Oh gosh, I had an ex boyfriend like this. He was 100% using it as an escape from the real world. He didn't have a big friend network or anything, or even many hobbies (I found out later on he was dealing with OCD), so I think video games were his void filler. He wasn't into any drugs, and used to smoke but quit when we were together -- so I guess in the same way that some people self medicate with illegal (or legal) drugs, he self medicated with video games. But yes, he would be on them from the minute he got home from work, really...for hours on end.
My brother used to be like this. He would play video games morning, noon and night. He wouldn't put the games away for anything! He didn't work, eat properly, sleep properly and it really affected him in the end.
Yes. I've been addicted to using the computer for almost 10 hours a day, with computer games as one of the inputs of those hours. As a high school student, it killed my grades and made me lose some of my friends. Although it's not a bad habit for me anymore, I can say it was definitely a harmful addiction.
Omg I used to be addicted to video games like crazy. 9 hours a day on the PC furiously playing and boy let me tell you I was not in the best shape. I had gained 25 pounds just by sitting in front of a screen all day in a matter of weeks. It wasn't until I got a job, started working out and actually spent less time at home was when I got less and less screen time. Now I only game 1-2 hours a day which is better. One thing for sure, having a 1k$ gaming PC in front of you is very very tempting. No I use geocaching and money earning as my alternatives and they have been working to perfection!