Video Game Addiction

Video Game Addiction

Since 1958, video games have captivated audiences' imaginations. From the humble beginnings of a game of Tennis for Two, created by William Higinbotham, to complex three dimensional graphics which elegantly replicate real life; video games have become an integral part of society (Gettler). Yet, as enjoyable and even beneficial as video games have become, they are now showing a dark side with heavy consequences. Video games have changed from a casual past time, into a consuming habit, which devours the lives of more and more addicts each year. The problem began with unhealthy amounts of time being devoted to video games. It became a culture all its own, with its own styles, catch phrases, and even suggesting life preferences. At first video games were for the socially inept, seeking solace in something that they could excel in. In a report submitted to the APA, the American Medical Association details that researchers have found that people who are most at risk are "somewhat marginalized socially, perhaps experience high levels of emotional loneliness and/or difficulty with real life social interactions. The current theory is that these individuals achieve more control of their social relationships and more success in social relationships in the virtual reality realm than in real relationships"(Goldberg Goff). These gamers seek successful relationships online and take part in one of the newest and most addictive gaming mediums yet: the massively multiplayer online game or MMOG.

The latest addition to video games, the MMOG, is made up of all sorts of games played over the Internet with other gamers. People can play poker, football, first person shooting games, racecar games, or games that are completely immersing called Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games or MMORPGs. In MMORPGs a person creates a character, which they play and use to socialize with other people. This particular genre of online gaming has been the subject of much controversy due to several tragic events. Shawn Woolley of Nashville, Tennessee became obsessed with the online MMORPG, EverQuest. "He played [video games] for about 10 years and had no problem," Shawn's mother Ms. Woolley said. "Then he discovered EverQuest. He just became a different person withdrawn. Socially inactive. The game became the solution to all his problems. He would spend two thirds of his day playing the game. He would stay up all night and play it. He had suffered from ADHD and stopped taking his medication" (Goldberg Goff). In 2001, Shawn committed suicide at the age of 21 (Goldberg Goff).

Recently, another tragic gaming addiction story unfolded involving 15 year old Brandon Crisp. Once a AAA hockey goalie, Crisp had become addicted to an online shooting game titled, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. He forsook all other extracurricular activities and only associated with three close friends who also played the game. His parents, frustrated and concerned with Brandon's addiction, took away his Xbox on numerous occasions. Brandon would simply disobey them and find where the gaming console was hidden and resume playing. Finally, Brandon's parents took the Xbox out of their home, to which Brandon responded by running away on October 13th (Campbell Gatehouse ). Brandon's body was found not far from his home on November 5th ("Cops Not Sure" ).

So just what constitutes an addiction? According to the Harvard Medical School Department of Addictions as reported in Ghosh Sabitri's article "Unravelling Addiction," "addiction is the compulsive use of a substance or activity resulting in physical, psychological or social harm to the user; the user continues in this pattern of behavior despite the harms that result." Addiction has long been associated with drugs, alcohol, and gambling, but when the cases of Shawn Woolley and Brandon Crisp are relayed, it is doubtless that these two young men were trapped in their addictions.

However, the two severe cases of Shawn and Brandon are only one facet of the problem of video game addiction. Gamers are not only getting more and more involved in their games, but they are becoming gamers at younger ages. Children under 10 are being appealed to with online games like "Webkinz" which require the child to log on and care for a simulated pet. Even when access to the game is restricted, some children sneak online (Wagner). Parents are now faced with recognizing the elusive symptoms of addiction in seemingly healthy children. Unlike substance abuse, video game addiction is an addiction to something legal, readily available, and socially acceptable.

There are several warning signs that someone is addicted to games. Kimberly Young, who is the director of the Center for Internet Addiction Recovery in Bradford, PA relates some of the symptoms of video game addiction as: "fantasizing or talking about game characters or missions when offline; lying about or hiding how much time is spent playing or disobeying parental limits; losing interest in sports and hobbies; choosing the game over time with friends; and continuing to play despite plummeting grades, loss of a scholarship, a breakup with a partner. An addicted gamer's physical appearance may also change as he loses sleep, neglects to shower, and skips meals "(Wagner). The presence of these signs calls for intervention. There are several ways to treat video game addiction, though each requires friends and family to intercede.

Because the American Psychiatric Association does not yet recognize video game addiction, getting help for addicted individuals can be difficult. However, video game addiction is similar to other behavioral addictions such as gambling (which is recognized in the DSM IV), pornography or shopping addictions, therefore, it too can be effectively treated through cognitive therapy (Wagner). Addicts are also being treated in centers with others who are addicted to marijuana, cocaine, and those with eating disorders. Some families even send their addicted loved ones to a outdoor based therapy, where they are separated from their computers and televisions for seven to nine weeks (Wagner).

It is clear that many things need to happen to quell this disturbing trend. Families need to be educated about the dangers that game addiction presents, as well as being informed about Should the American Psychiatric Association to recognize video game addiction in the next edition of the DSM, due to come out in 2012, insurance companies would cover therapy. Overall, though, prevention is the best method. Encouraging children to engage in social activities and providing an accepting home with loving, but firm limitations will encourage moderation in all things, including video games.

Published by Sarah Trahan

I am a psychology graduate, an English fanatic, avid reader, and researcher. View profile

AMA Refers Video Game Addiction to the American Psychological AssociationWhether or not video games may be addictive will likely still be up in the air for awhile but that has not stopped the controversy