University: Gaming addiction is real but over-diagnosed
by Zack Stern 
{ Mar 27th 2007 at 2:40PM }
Research at the U.K's University of Bolton says that gaming addiction may be over-diagnosed up to 10 percent of the time because indicators that were previously thought to relate to a gaming addiction had been borrowed from gambling addictions; what are the odds? Those markers may not translate between the two behavior patterns as well as previously thought. 10 percent doesn't sound like a major mistake -- unless you're in that group -- but the study balances some recent reports that hype and overstate the problem. (Oh Tyra, we thought you were better than the local news.) Still, the research stresses that gaming addictions are real.
See also:
Game addiction battled with silent sound
Dutch game addiction clinic is "swamped"
Gamer addiction patient says he "peed in a bottle"
Faux News investigates WoW addiction
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Lewis @ Mar 27th 2007 2:49PM
First. Um. Games ARE crack. Till you find a girl. Then games suck.
Field Anony-mouse @ Mar 27th 2007 3:02PM
Of course gaming addiction is real. I have pictures of someone's computer area, and they're a true WoW addict. I'll put it this way, her room is most like a dumpster that hasn't been emptied in months.
Jack of No Trades @ Mar 27th 2007 3:13PM
"First. Um. Games ARE crack. Till you find a girl. Then games suck"
Nope. First You play games alot. Then you find a girl that loves to play games every once in a while(Mario games) and also likes to watch you play games. Then you got the best of both worlds.
Cheesehead @ Mar 27th 2007 3:26PM
I know that there are some chemically caused, REAL mental disorders, but please, why must we continue to treat bad judgement and lack of self control as if they were unavoidable diseases?!!?
I love games, and sometimes I DECIDE to play games instead of doing work, or tidying up etc. But I don't for a second pretend that its because I have some affliction that removes my capacity for free will.
You can get addicted to cigarettes, you can get addicted to heroine, but you can not get addicted to slacking off, you just choose to do it!
Jb @ Mar 27th 2007 7:33PM
My fiance plays games more than I do and im considered the gamer in the relationship. She has level 70+ characters on FFXI and WOW. I play more console games but since we are both in college for game related degrees it makes it fun to get to know all the genres and systems.
LunarDuality @ Mar 27th 2007 3:35PM
Wait...a real problem that is overdiagnosed and scapegoated for way too many problems. Couldn't be. I mean, that never happened before. Especially not with ADD (or ADHD or whatever the hell they wanted to call it).
I say, just get 'em all on drugs like Ritalin. Helped so much with those crazy hyper kids.
/dripping sarcasm
moominsean @ Mar 27th 2007 3:49PM
why aren't people who read all the time addicted to reading? or a hiking addcition? if it's considered 'trash' then people who enjoy it must be addicted.
fcogzz @ Mar 29th 2007 10:24AM
Correction....
1 - Games are crack.
2 - You find a girl and forget about games.
3 - You get married and you don't even consider a game.
4 - After a while, Games are crack.
hvnlysoldr @ Mar 27th 2007 4:03PM
Games can be crack. Not all gamers are addicted that it ruins their lives. ADD can be caused by aspartame poisoning.