Seriously, I’m NOT Addicted … the Experts say so! Now lemme get back to WoW

By Michael Santo
Executive Editor, RealTechNews

Guess this South Korean who died after a 50 hour nonstop gaming session really wasn’t addicted. At least that’s what the AMA says.

Doctors backed away on Sunday from a controversial proposal to designate video game addiction as a mental disorder akin to alcoholism, saying psychiatrists should study the issue more.

Addiction experts also strongly opposed the idea at a debate at the American Medical Association’s annual meeting. Source: Yahoo! News

We Say: Not an addiction, eh? Think this gaming detox center would disagree. As would my psychologist wife. In her opinion, this type of behavior is classic addiction. On the other hand, the AMA was looking at it more in terms of physiology, in that “complex physiological disease state akin to alcoholism or other substance abuse disorders,” and thus, in that point, they are likely correct. This seems to definitely be a psychological issue.

Don’t get me wrong, though. Video games, simulations, etc. have good points as well. For example, this simulation helps returning Iraq war veterans deal with PTSD. There are even ways games can be used in teaching, of course. But as with anything, even water, it’s all in moderation.