Why video games are so addicting and what to do about it

eightball120

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I do not take credit for this Article, it was written by Mary Schlimme


Super Mario Brothers, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Street Fighter are familiar names to nearly all of us. They are all best selling games of major video game consoles. Over 9.8 billion dollars were spent on video games in the United States during 2001 alone, and video game consoles are present in 36 million homes in the United States (1). With the increasing amount of time that people are spending on video games, one is left to wonder if it is possible to become addicted to video games. Do we need a Video Gamers Anonymous?

Addiction has been defined as "A primary, chronic disease, characterized by impaired control over the use of a psychoactive substance and/or behavior. Clinically, the manifestations occur along biological, psychological, sociological and spiritual dimensions (2)." While there is currently no category for video game addiction in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (3), which is the manual utilized to diagnose psychological disorders, video game addicts are often described by clinicians in the field as displaying many symptoms characteristic of other addictions. These behaviors include failure to stop playing games, difficulties in work or school, telling lies to loved ones, decreased attention to personal hygiene, decreased attention to family and friends, and disturbances in the sleep cycle (4). Withdrawal symptoms can even include behaviors as severe as shaking (5).

All addictions can be dangerous and harmful to the addicted person and others around him; however, video game addiction can be particularly detrimental to children. Video games are becoming increasingly popular with children of young ages, which in turn may raise the likelihood that these children will develop addictions to video games. Furthermore, playing violent games may be associated with a tendency to behave more aggressively, although the data are inconclusive about the cause and effect nature of this relationship (6). In a study by Irwin and Gross, children who played a violent video game displayed a higher level of aggression than children who played a nonviolent game (6). Similarly, in a study by Calvert and Tan, college students who played a violent video game reported more aggressive thoughts after playing the game than college students who played a nonviolent game (6). Although several researchers advocate the position that video games cause violent behavior in children and adults, there are also many researchers who support the opposite belief, which is that video games purge one's desire to act violently and thus reduce the amount of violence in which a person will engage (5). Other detrimental effects of video games include taking time away from a child's studies or homework and decreased social skills (5). Finally, despite possible detrimental effects of excessive video game playing, there are benefits to playing video games in moderation. For instance, video games may improve spatial abilities, the ability to create and apply multiple strategies, and may help develop critical analyzing techniques (7). Due to the nature of video games, psychological, social, and neurological factors have all been associated with excessive video game playing.

The psychological cycle of substance addiction and other maladaptive behaviors can be applied to video games as well. A person playing a video game feels an emotional high, commonly known as an adrenaline rush, as a result of his gaming tactics (8). He then plays the game more and pushes his physical and psychological limits in order to experience the emotional high. Eventually, he will again reach a level that stimulates the production of adrenaline. The cycle may continue until it leads to an unhealthy level of interaction with video games, which some professionals may label video game addiction. Even famous psychological effects such as the sunk cost fallacy can influence the addictive cycle. This fallacy occurs when a person feels compelled to continue performing a certain behavior because he has previously invested time in the behavior and does not want to feel as though his investment was wasted (9). Similarly, Dr. Timothy Miller, a clinical psychologist, states that many video game players may feel that they have wasted their efforts if they do not reach the next goal in a game, which may lead to additional time spent playing the game that the person otherwise would have spent in a more constructive task (4).

According to Dr. Orzack, the Director of Computer Addiction Services at McLean Hospital, social pressure or lack of social skills can also lead to video game addiction (4). Dr. Orzack suggests that many video game addicts have struggled with finding their place in society and as a result play video games in order to become part of a crowd. The players then may feel compelled to reach the next level of achievement in the game in order to flaunt their abilities in front of their peer group (4). While these social effects are important to consider when investigating the development of excessive video game playing, it is equally important to discuss the neurological effects as well.

Not only can excessive video game playing cause behavioral and social changes in a person, but it can also result in neurological changes as well. A recent study utilized positron emission tomography in order to show that levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine increased while playing video games (10). Dopamine is believed to mediate several behaviors, one of which is the experience of pleasure. For example, dopamine levels increase in emaciated rats when the rats are presented with food, and similar effects are found when water deprived rats are presented with water. Despite the positive effects of dopamine, high levels of the neurotransmitter have also been associated with addictions to drugs and substances (11). Because increased levels of dopamine have been found in people who are playing video games and because these effects are similar to the increased levels of dopamine in drug addicts, some researchers have hypothesized that higher levels of dopamine can produce a dangerous cycle leading to addiction of video games (11). However, because this research is fairly novel, studies replicating the data are necessary. Furthermore, the possibility of involvement of other neurotransmitters during video game play should be explored since it is possible that multiple neurotransmitters may interact in addictive behaviors. Finally, because this area of research is fairly new, many interesting questions can be raised. For instance, does excessive playing of video games cause a fundamental and permanent change in the dopamine system? If so, what are the subsequent effects on the pleasure systems of these individuals? Do these people require more dopamine to be released as a result of a decreased sensitivity to dopamine that was caused by the excessive play, in a way similar to other addictions (10)? If future studies demonstrate these patterns, and if they are considered in unison with the psychological and social ramifications of excessive video game playing, it can be concluded that the video game addiction can and does exist. In that case, the answer to the initial question of "Do we need a Video Gamers Anonymous?" is most certainly yes.

What to do about it (The part I wrote): I think you should slowly get out of the cycle of playing these games. Now unlike this article i'm not talking about no Super Mario Brothers. I'm talking about games like Counter Strike, World of Warcraft, Battlefield 2... or any addicting modern game. Ask yourself what you really want to do with video games in the future. Do you want to become a pro in CPL or WCG and make money? Or are you just seeking approval from those of your online community that you are skilled? I find it unless you want to make money and go pro, then why spend so much of your time doing nothing but a video game? Well it's entertaining of course, but I find if you take up an activity that is partially similar to the video game except it's an active non-embarrassing good thing to invest your time in, then you will slowly get out of the habit of playing video games and into the new habit. For example: What type of video games do you play? Counter Strike....ok so for Counter Strike you may want to start an interest in paintball, since it has similar dynamics and most likely you'll get into it. You like sports games...Amped 2 on the xbox. Well go out and try snowboarding for yourself and get lessons and get good at that and make it a habit. You like RPG's...go try and become a movie creator for type of subject your interested in. There's lots of alternatives you can do other than playing video games that attractive women would also be proud that you have a passion in. Also while your at it, go and get some David DeAngelo books and learn how to meet women and attract them, then once you get good at this it will become another main interest plus a very high confidence level.

Hope that helped.
 

realsmoothie

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Because video games are addicting and take time away from things you SHOULD be doing.

I have this problem sometimes. Video games give you control that you don't have in real life. When I play Civ or Madden I'm the guy who directs the tanks or throws the football.
 

Nighthawk

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I'm currently addicted to Marvel Ultimate Alliance. Luckily so is my girlfriend, so we can go beat up Dr Doom as Thing and Ms Marvel. How romantic.

I used to play them alone, but it felt a bit sad after a while. Playing with friends is good, your woman even better.
 

Mandiblard

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Like almost everything, just do it in moderation and it doesn't hurt. A bit of Wii every day has to be healthy. :D

Stuff like online PC games are what most people get addicted to, and are pretty pathetic because they aren't even really "games", just stat wankfests. You aren't even benefiting in any tiny way. Also unlike real multiplayer games you aren't actually interacting with people in the same room.
 

CactusMcDougal

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They are, however, good ways to make money if you know how to cheat the system. Many addicts are willing to pay several thousand dollars for a million Star Wars Galaxy Credits on eBay!
 

Mandiblard

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Oh yeah and I know some people who go online pretending to be girls and all the horny nerds give them heaps of stuff they sell back.
 

sparky0000

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Mandiblard said:
Oh yeah and I know some people who go online pretending to be girls and all the horny nerds give them heaps of stuff they sell back.
so which one are you? the "horny nerd" or the guy pretending to be a girl?
 
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sparky0000 said:
so which one are you? the "horny nerd" or the guy pretending to be a girl?
being the guy pretending to be a girl isn't bad IF and ONLY IF you're doing it over the internet because you know some poor nerdy sucker will pay for you.
 

Lion

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NFS-carbon is very addictive to me, I've learnt to just not play it at all. It takes up too much of my time! I think games are v. good socially, for 2 players +
 

RestoretheROAR84

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Yeah I'm pretty much addicted to the madden franchise, but so are a lot of my friends and maybe if I get good enough I can go pro haha.
 

Jack McCrack

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World of Warcraft is my addiction of choice.
 

realsmoothie

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Jack McCrack said:
World of Warcraft is my addiction of choice.
Ouch, talk about the nerdiest game of all time. Have you seen that South Park episode with the wannabe WOW?
 

dj ben2

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well too all u nerds playing WOW world of warcraft i beg u to quit i played for almost 2 years it took over my life i went from 95 to 105kg and i felt like **** looked pasty spent tonnes of mony on monthly bills and it got to the point were i played so much i nerly ****ed up my eyes and needed glasses..... i quit 3 times and couldnt stay away form it so i did the only thing i thought i could do i sold my account for $200AU broke the disks and threw em in the bin now im feeling great ive taken up lifting im getting up in the morning and going for runs im on the punching bag all the time and im renovating the house dong handy work for my mum it may be hard quitting the game as it is smoking but when u get over the initial phase of craving it (first month) u think to yourself why o why did i ever play that game .... i now know there is SO MUCH MORE TO LIFE then computer games
 

Precursor

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im addicted to "Okami". i also play warcraft3 with my buddies.. its so easy to tell whos a internet gangster once you've gained the perspective of the dj bible
 

diplomatic_lies

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I'm addicted to Tetris. But its worth it, cuz thats a seriously cool game.
 

oakraiderz2

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What do you do about anything thats addicting? Samething applies here. I read that an hour or two of video games is a good way to relax. I used to play college football everyday before i went to work...not addicting, just a stress reliever i suppose.
 
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