Internet Gaming Addiction

	Tweet

Groups at risk

Just as not everyone who drinks alcohol becomes an alcoholic, not everyone who plays an MMORPG develops problematic behaviors or addiction. Although all ages, sexes, and social and cultural groups are susceptible to MMORPG addiction, persons born between 1977 and 1997 are most vulnerable. These young people have grown up with access to computers, video games, and the Internet. Time online may be spent in chat rooms, playing online games, surfing for information, instant messaging, or just checking email. Regardless of the activities one pursues online, staying online the equivalent time of a full-time job for nonessential purposes could lead to problems with one’s ability to function in other areas of life. Work, relationships, responsibilities, and even personal health and hygiene may be neglected by persons who are unable to control the amount of time spent in on-line activities. The line between healthy and pathologic behaviors has historically been described as when the performance of life activities becomes problematic, whether this relates to drugs, alcohol, gambling, sex, shopping, eating, or any activity. Persons with addiction to MMORPGs or their loved ones may present to health care providers. Whether the psychiatric symptoms precede MMORPG use or are a consequence of it, the result is the same. Game players who spend excessive amounts of time in virtual worlds have symptoms similar to persons with other addictions. They may get restless or irritable if they are unable to play. They may sacrifice time from family, friends, and work. They may spend increasing amounts of time playing and may totally lose track of the time. Some gamers describe entering a “zone” as a flow experience where hours may seem like seconds. Persons who experience this phenomenon appear more prone to addiction. These persons may lie about or misrepresent time spent playing. They may lose interest in other activities and continue to play despite negative consequences. According to Yee, more than 40% of players consider themselves addicted to MMORPGs and 4.8% to 30% have made unsuccessful attempts to stop playing.

Comorbidities
The high percentage of psychiatric comorbidity in the substance-abusing population is well known. The percentage of comorbidity with Internet addiction is also the subject of research and thus not known at this time. Mood disorders, attentional disorders, and substance dependencies are cited as comorbidities. More specific information is available in Table 2. When comorbid disorders are addressed concurrently, patient outcomes are greatly improved.

RELATED STORIES:
The relationship between development identity and internet addiction: study   Is Internet addiction a real problem?   The role of metacognitions in problematic Internet use   In Korea, a Boot Camp Cure for Web Obsession   Study Links Internet Addiction to Aggression in Teens   Recognize Internet addiction as a mental illness, MD urges   How to spot an internet addict   Internet addiction and Romanian children   Is “Internet addiction” addressed in the classroom? A survey of psychology textbooks   Problematic Internet use or Internet addiction?   Computer Addiction: What Is It?   Internet addiction more serious than OCD   Can You Live Without The Internet?   Is Internet addiction real?   Issues for DSM-V: Internet Addiction

Comments

[ + Post Your Own ]

Now you're in the public comment zone. What follows is not Armenian Medical Network's stuff; it comes from other people and we don't vouch for it. A reminder: By using this Web site you agree to accept our Terms of Service. Click here to read the Rules of Engagement.

The internet is becoming more and more popular and thousands of people become new users every day.Not only is it one of the most common forms of communication and essential when running a business from home, it has become one of the most popular methods for playing games.If you are anything like me, you have tried to find free internet games more than once.

posted by toronto on 05/03/2011 at 8:40 pm -08:00