Is Gaming addiction a mental health condition ?

mmj_uk said:
I think with gaming a lot of people just do it out of boredom rather than outright addiction, similar to TV. If they have something better to do they can happily go without. I'd be more concerned by people addicted to social media and the need for attention and those who can never put their phone down in public/social spaces when you're trying to have a conversation with them.
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I agree. I think it's just boredom/escapism as they have nothing better to do. Those that do become addicted, like @BuffetSlayer put it, is just a manifestation of an underlying health issue.

The social media aspect is a problem. People actually reaching for their phones mid conversation. There's nothing on it, no messages or alerts, just an unbelievably cringeworthy need to fiddle with it. Ugh
 
Gaming addiction?
My arse!

Simple cure, unplug / remove gaming device.

An addiction is something like drugs / alcohol where your body physically demands the stimulus from whichever abused substance.

To my mind, anything else is purely in the mind and down to the “addicts” personality, they either do it or not.

And before I’m shot down in flames, I used to be heavily into gambling, tried G.A. to no avail, I very nearly ended up in prison because of it (and arguably should have!) the only thing that cured me was the realisation that nobody other than me was making me take a bet and therefore it was down to me to sort it, I did.
 
Scania said:
Gaming addiction?
My arse!

Simple cure, unplug / remove gaming device.

An addiction is something like drugs / alcohol where your body physically demands the stimulus from whichever abused substance.

To my mind, anything else is purely in the mind and down to the “addicts” personality, they either do it or not.

And before I’m shot down in flames, I used to be heavily into gambling, tried G.A. to no avail, I very nearly ended up in prison because of it (and arguably should have!) the only thing that cured me was the realisation that nobody other than me was making me take a bet and therefore it was down to me to sort it, I did.
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What do drugs do? Give you a buzz. That same buzz can be had from gaming and gambling. So I'm willing to bet it is an addiction just like any other.

Like some people are addicted to training, working, etc.
 
I would say so, although unlike say, depression or schitzophrenia it's a mental health condition that should be
in the " absolutely pathetic lack of willpower" big crazy filing cabinet of nuttiness.

I remember Masood from Deadenders was afflicted with the gambling thang and in a display of momumental despicableness
used his own son's university savings to bet on the gee-gees, this addiction was a storyline for about 5 episodes then completely
forgotten about in Masood's further storylines and it was never mentioned again.

Soaps eh , just like real life innit ?
 
Scania said:
My own personal experience makes me disagree but hey, what would I know?
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People say the same about cigarettes though and they are definitely physically addictive. You managed to go cold turkey from gambling and presumably have felt no need to relapse which is very impressive and extremely commendable, however there will be others who haven't managed to quit or, have managed to knock it on the head and then relapsed.

The main issue for me is regardless of whether or not gaming is addictive in exactly the same way as heroin of nicotine is where there is a statistically significant number of people exhibiting damaging behaviour related to gaming and can reclassifying it as either a mental health issue or an addiction allow for effective treatment that meets a public health need? If the answer to this is yes then i have no issue with it.

There's a good amount of evidence that the strategies used by social media and gaming companies are potentially habit forming so this isn't really that surprising to me, but i'd imagine that the gaming is probably only one aspect of a larger problem, as substance abuse often tends to be.
 
I reached 'peak' gaming in the 16-bit era around ages 11-13. Spent a lot of hours playing games, but that time was spent playing a variety of games. Most games were quite arcadey, or had limited save points, so you would soon move on to something else. Local multiplayer tended to last longer but was a perfect medium for some sibling rivalry.

Compare it to recent times where game designers know everything there is to know about the psychology of addiction. A few years ago I installed Civilization 5 GOTY, and proceeded to lose an entire weekend on it. I can't afford to play time sinks like that despite them being enjoyable and giving a sense of progress. I haven't played anything in a couple of years, but if I did it would probably be something single player that has an end game like Doom or Sonic Mania.
 
It can be, but most of the time the label is used by people who have a problem with video games.

Usually the same people who see nothing wrong with somebody watching TV/sports/soaps all day. All activities have a cost, the key as to if it's really an addiction is if your missing work, causing problems with friends and family, unable to sleep/function properly.

In that case when it may fit into that field, but saying that - when I'm in the zone with painting I'll miss sleep, avoid social interactions to get it finished. It's just a case of focus for many and games are good at pulling that lever.
 
There's a difference between gaming is your only hobby so spend a few hours a day doing it and gaming getting in the way of your normal life, ie missing work, not washing/ eating properly etc. The first is someone who just plays a lot, latter is probably an addiction.
 
MikeTheNative said:
There's a difference between gaming is your only hobby so spend a few hours a day doing it and gaming getting in the way of your normal life, ie missing work, not washing/ eating properly etc. The first is someone who just plays a lot, latter is probably an addiction.
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Thing is though if your even spending a few hours every day it is an issue.

Other things will be getting neglected like your physical health, relationships, living conditions, etc.

If you play a few hours every other day then that could be fine. Is it as addictive as heroin, no I think everyone can agree on that. However it is addictive and that is proven by the number of sweaty obese nerds who are absolutely stinking they can be smelt from 10 feet away who turn up at comic con.
 
Psycho Sonny said:
Thing is though if your even spending a few hours every day it is an issue.

Other things will be getting neglected like your physical health, relationships, living conditions, etc.

If you play a few hours every other day then that could be fine. Is it as addictive as heroin, no I think everyone can agree on that. However it is addictive and that is proven by the number of sweaty obese nerds who are absolutely stinking they can be smelt from 10 feet away who turn up at comic con.
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2/3 hours a day is fine. How many people sit down in the evening and watch that much TV and no one will bat an eyelid? Depends of your life/work balance but I have that much free time a day, even combined with going to the gym, cooking/ cleaning and going to bed at 10.30 waking up at 7. I do work 9-5 with a 5 minute commute which many don't have though.
 
No, however in the case of children the parents are to blame.

Exposing unsocialised kids to games, unlimited internet when they have no other goals, hobbies or interests is not a good idea.
 
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