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In a recent meeting by the American Medical Association, members of the council lobbied for a disorder to be added to the widely used mental disabilities manual in relation to video game addictions.
There has been many reported cases of suicides and other injuries due to being addicted to video games and a decision on whether or not to include video games as a mental disorder will not be decided without a long debate.
The telltale signs are ominous: teens holing up in their rooms, ignoring friends, family, even food and a shower, while grades plummet and belligerence soars.
The culprit isnt alcohol or drugs. Its video games, which for certain kids can be as powerfully addictive as heroin, some doctors contend.
A leading council of the nations largest doctors group wants to have this behavior officially classified as a psychiatric disorder, to raise awareness and enable sufferers to get insurance coverage for treatment.
Up to 90 percent of American youngsters play video games and as many as 15 percent of them more than 5 million kids may be addicted, according to data cited in the AMA councils report.
A support group called On-Line Gamers Anonymous has numerous postings on its Web site from gamers seeking help. Liz Woolley, of Harrisburg, Pa., created the site after her 21-year-old son fatally shot himself in 2001 while playing an online game she says destroyed his life.
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Most recently commented on by on Jun 26, 2007
Most recently commented on by on Jun 26, 2007
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Also suprised to see that there is an online gamers annonymous. I thought the gaming addiction was unique in that the ones actually addicted don't mind being addicted and like playing games over and over again (unlike other forms of addiction where people do it but loathe the fact that they are addicted to it).
I would diagnose myself as half-addicted actually, but would in no way want any medical help as I believe this addiction gives me great pleasure and joy in life, especially when I share the addiction with fellow friends. Sure, it's cut into my social life and my grades often times, but it has also been, like Supernouva said, my anti-drug as well.
I mean, it hasn't been a worsening problem... it's just been a mediocrely infringing aspect in my life which seems to be kept in good balance.
anyways, It would be too bad to many gamers if game-addiction becomes classified as a medical disorder. We'd get such a bad image and reputaion in the public eye. But if there are actually a significant amount of kids that actually want help from this problem, then maybe, maybe it will help? Though, on second thought.... I don't think it's an addiction that's very hard to notice or diagnose. . .If you keep playing but wish you could stop, that sounds like an addiction to me. Otherwise, I wouldn't call it an addiction, but rather a discipline and priority issue - not much different from being lazy, which to my knowledge is not yet a medical disorder.
Anyway, there was that one guy who died after playing games for three days straight or something, in an internet lounge, and considering a relatively high percentage of people who are into computers (which tends to overlap with the videogame audience) are borderline autistic, it's not surprising that they can be addictive.
Still, I agree, a little responsibility on behalf of the players, or, if relevant, the parents, might change things.
The problem I see is the stupid masses going nuts and banning video games or something.
*sarcastic*
No matter how stubborn people become, video games will always be healthy.
But then, why doesn't the law bother someone else, like vegetarians, for eating vegetables so much?
Edit: Wait, I mean the medical association, not the law. My bad.
The instant you become physically able to use a controller, that's when you're old enough.
Besides, there are very few people round the world who are dangerously addicted to it. So it's not like a sweeping disease that's taking the planet by storm! XD
Love: The next mental disorder? "teens holing up in their rooms, ignoring friends, family, even food and a shower, while grades plummet and belligerence soars." Tbh, the same can be said about someone in love with someone else. This is ridiculous if you ask me.
^
Well put
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