Gaming fanatics show hallmarks of drug addiction
Excessive computer gaming has the hallmarks of addiction, suggests new experiments on “drug memory”. The researchers argue it should be classified as such, enabling “addicts” to start seeking help.
“We have the patients and we have the parents and …
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One further thought…
If you have noticed a number of “symptoms” in a gamer’s behavior that look similar to symptoms of something else, you’re not alone. In fact, if you carefully comb through the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), you’ll find a great deal of symptoms which fall under multiple disorders. That’s what makes reliable diagnosis a sometimes challenging task, even for skilled professionals.
Researchers often start with this premise — that this set of behaviors looks similar to something else we already know. But that smacks a bit of circular reasoning and doesn’t appear to be the best or most reliable method for determining whether something new actually exists.
Hi DocJohn
Loved the line about the veracity of online stories and using alien abductions as a fine example!
These days everyone’s “addicted” to something – shoes, chocolate, ice cream etc. I believe it’s imperative to use the clinically accurate term of “dependence” and sticking to clearly defined diagnostic criteria as found in the DSM IV or ICD 10.
Thanks for the entertaining take on Gaming “addiction”!