...Gaming stimulates the brain's "reward centers" which stimulates the same high a drug addict or alcoholic feels. While most people associate addiction with substances, such as drugs or alcohol, doctors recognize online gaming addictive behaviors as well. When a child is admitted to the Elk River Treatment Program (ERTP) of The Pinnacle Schools, a full medical and psychological evaluation begins. An Individualized Treatment Plan is developed for your child and a Treatment Team is formed to address your child's specific needs. Online gaming is often a symptom of an underlying core issue. The child needs the escape or the feeling of reward that online gaming provides because something else is missing in their life. Through group and individual therapy on a consistent basis, the child may eventually identify the core issue(s) and begin recovery. Some gamers exhibit severe withdrawal symptoms, becoming angry, violent, or depressed if a computer is taken away. Residential treatment is a safe setting for withdrawal from any addiction. The Psychological Factor. Unlike with substance abuse, the biological aspect of video game addiction is uncertain. Research suggests gambling elevates dopamine, but there's more to addiction than brain chemistry. The addict suffers from a psychological component to the addiction. Online gaming allows a person to escape the real world and change the perception of self worth. An online gaming...
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...ENCEPHALOS 51, 10-14, 2014 INTERNET GAMING ADDICTION. REASONS, DIAGNOSIS, PREVENTION AND TREATMENT ARGIRIS V. KARAPETSAS*, VASILIOS A. KARAPETSAS**, NIKOS X. ZYGOURIS***, APOSTOLOS I. FOTIS**** Abstract We define electronic games addiction as the excessive and morbid use of electronic games (especially those taking advantage of social networking to become accessible to many users). In cases of addiction, this excessive use tends to interfere with everyday reality and to significantly influence it. Researches on the excessive use of internet structures and the problems it causes appeared as early as the 1989 (Shatton, 1989). The rapid development of the computer science and the improvement of the computer-user interaction can fully justify both the massiveness of the problem as well as the plethora of researches on the issue. Roles Video games with an international (thanks to modern technology) appeal tend to be considered as the most addictive ones. This games category includes the creation of a virtual world in which each user is represented through a character that acts on a personal or group basis. Such online games are of extreme popularity. According to the latest (2012) report by an entertainment software company, a 72% of American households with an internet connection have at least a member participating in online gaming. Such high rates tend to raise concerns given the fact that online games are scientifically proven to cause among others:...
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...Computer Game Addiction Stats and Research * Personality traits like trait anxiety, sensation seeking, neuroticism, and aggression appear to be related to the development of gaming addiction. Mehroof, M et al. (2010). Online gaming addiction: The role of sensation seeking, self-control, neuroticism, aggression, state anxiety, and trait anxiety. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 13, 313-316. * Regions of the brain associated with cravings in substance abuse also appear to be activated in gaming addicts when they view images of video games. Ko, C. et al. (2009). Brain activities associated with gaming urge of online gaming addiction. Journal or Psychiatric Research, 43, 739-747. * There is a difference between "excessive gaming" and "addictive gaming". Two gamers may play for an identical number of hours each day, but their psychological motivation and the meaning that gaming has within their lives can be very different. Gaming addiction should be defined by how much the game negatively impacts others areas of life, not by how much time is spent playing. Griffiths, M et al. (2010). The role of context in online gaming excess and addiction: Some case study evidence. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 8, 119-125. * In a volunteer sample, 41% of online gamers acknowledged that they use gaming as an escape. In the same sample, 7% were viewed as "dependent". These gamers possessed several behavioral attributes that...
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...Online Addictions: Gaming and Social Networking COM/156 August 18 Online Addictions: Gaming and Social Networking Every year hundreds of people are victims to addiction. People around the world perform several activities like going to work, going to school, socializing (in person or online), gaming, ETC, throughout the course of their day. Some of these people become dependent to these endeavors to the point it becomes a condition that can threaten their welfare. By establishing the concept of addiction, this review will give specific data of two of the many types of addiction that currently exist. Specifically, the focus of the review is geared toward online gaming addiction and online social networking addiction. Thus, giving information pertaining to symptoms and effects these addictions cause on people. Addiction to online networking and online video gaming, impact society as a whole and especially the younger part of society. People suffering from addiction can be helped, and this help may come in the form of information to prevent harm to their life and wellbeing. While addiction comes in different types, understanding the concept of addiction is important to acknowledge the impact in society. Furthermore, it will be established the type of addictions that will be evaluated throughout the course of this review. Common knowledge teaches that addiction is a condition of dependency to a certain “drug”. According to the American Psychological Association (APA) website...
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...I am really intrigued to bring specific Facts out to an audience about my research topic which is “VIDEO GAME AND CAFFIENE ADDICTION” There is a whole realm of articles concerning my research topic that is why I stuck to areas where I knew my way around untrusted material sources that only lead me to dead ends or material that was not trusted due to certain dates not matching. I have to say that before I commenced my outline setting for this research I thought I had lived through similar setting and had exclusive access since I had experienced a family member dealing with this sort of problem at hand, and let me tell you it is a rough to see your family go through this type of particular situation, I‘m keeping my thoughts and opinions at rest In order to give an audience an opinion that is not bias. Ever since gaming has become a viral for by becoming viral all over the internet there has been a monumental boom in the gaming industry. Imagine when you first got your hands on gaming materials that you are new to, a gaming system such as xbox or Playstation 4,that provide you with scenery and graphics you would never though would even be a possibility of being a part of in your lifetime. Now picture that and add the possibility of you playing a strategic and integrated game online, with a voice as clear as can be to follow commands specified by a the game process. Ok now add the formula of one self being able to take part...
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...Introduction Online gaming It’s highly likely you’ve played a game before on a computer or a console, against the artificial intelligence of the computer as your only obstacle. And while gaming this way is still (as it has been for a very long time) very popular, your broadband connection gives you instant access. Online gaming addiction, is now based in Melbourne. The introduction Since 1990s a number of computers, video and online games have been developed. Some of gaming dangers online gaming addiction opens kids up to other dangers, too. Chatting online with other game players may expose them to online. Seemingly addicted to games. Although video game addiction is not a new observable fact, the introduction of an online component in the current generation of games. Online gaming addiction is caused by the constant updates and the never ending game play; this is solved by limiting online game. In fact do not know they are addicted to the online games or its harmful effects. The consequence of online game addiction could be serious. Gaming achievements its more of an addiction than an innocent little game. The slope between a gaming addiction and gaming for fun is a slippery one. Video games. The aim of this research is to find out the BSIT 2A‟ attitude towards the effects of addiction in online games. This research will focuses on finding the student’s attitude towards online games and also finding the significant difference between BSIT 2A attitudes towards online games with...
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... Inc. DOI: 10.1089/cyber.2012.0034 Online Gaming Addiction? Motives Predict Addictive Play Behavior in Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games 1 Daria J. Kuss, M.Sc., M.A., Jorik Louws, M.Sc.,2 and Reinout W. Wiers, Ph.D. 3 Abstract Recently, there have been growing concerns about excessive online gaming. Playing Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPGs) appears to be particularly problematic, because these games require a high degree of commitment and time investment from the players to the detriment of occupational, social, and other recreational activities and relations. A number of gaming motives have been linked to excessive online gaming in adolescents and young adults. We assessed 175 current MMORPG players and 90 nonplayers using a Web-based questionnaire regarding their gaming behavior, problems as consequences of gaming, and game motivations and tested their statistical associations. Results indicated that (a) MMORPG players are significantly more likely to experience gaming-related problems relative to nonplayers, and that (b) the gaming motivations escapism and mechanics significantly predicted excessive gaming and appeared as stronger predictors than time investment in game. The findings support the necessity of using measures that distinguish between different types of online games. In addition, this study proves useful regarding the current discussion on establishing (online) gaming addiction as a diagnosis in future categorizations...
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...Effects of Video Game Addiction on the Body and Mind Ryan Wootton 7th Hour Psychology 10-22-12 Abstract For most young people, playing games on a computer, video game console, or handheld device is just a regular part of the day. Most are able to juggle the multiple demands of school, sports, work or chores, and family life. Gaming becomes an addiction when it starts to interfere with a person's relationships or their pursuit of other goals, such as good grades or being a contributing member of a sports team. Computer and video games, especially the massive multi-online role-playing games (MMORPGs) such as "World of Warcraft," allow players to behave very differently from their normal persona. A shy child can suddenly became gregarious; a passive child can become aggressive. Young people, who often feel powerless in their daily lives, suddenly have the ability to command armies, drive (and crash) cars, and wreak havoc on a virtual world with no real-life consequences. This is seductive! And when that boy or girl is already finding it a challenge in the "real world" to make friends, computer and video games offer a way to interact with others in their "virtual world," without the distress of face-to-face interactions. What Makes a Video Game “Addictive”? Most adolescents like to spend at least part of their free time playing video games. But for some, what starts out as innocent recreation can become an addiction. Soon, friends, family, school, and even personal hygiene are...
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...Addiction is one of the things that undermines traditional values. It puts the person’s health at risk and alters his behaviour dramatically. One of the most underestimated addiction in today’s society is online gaming. Online gaming addiction is the excessive use of computer and video games that interferes with so called normal life (Chan, 2006). Although taking risks and experimenting with a variety of activities is considered normal, those who are at high risk of being dependent of this addiction are more prone to engage in sensation-seeking behaviours (Mehroof and Griffiths, 2010). The transtheoretical model of behaviour change outlines the person’s precontemplation and contemplation stage of having this type of addiction. When a person is in the precontemplation, the first stage of the transtheoretical model of behaviour change, he does not consider his behaviour to be a problem. This is because he has not yet experience any negative consequence of his behaviour or it is a result of denial about the impacts of the behaviour. Segana et al. (2006) suggested that a person on this stage is often not interested in hearing about the negative consequences or advice to quit his addiction. The person usually considers his addictive behaviour as a pleasant experience at this point. An addict of online gaming at precontemplation stage is often in denial of his behaviour. He ignores comments from family and friends and spends more time on the computer to hide emotional loneliness...
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...Video game addiction An Assignment Submitted by ______ ITT Composition I (EN1320), _/_/_ Video game addiction Video game addictions is a rather new syndrome since the computer games are relatively young – the oldest being only slightly older than twenty years. Video game addiction is a dangerous phenomenon and is detrimental to the realization of reality by a human being. The official definition of the syndrome is the following: video game addiction is a severe compulsive use of either video or computer games. Indulging in using the games excessively may hinder one’s everyday life. Video game addiction may display itself in the following way: social isolation, excessive amounts of time spent on gaming, diminished imagination, irregular mood swings, too much focus on the in-game achievements, behavior, which is modeled by the rules and realities of any given game (Lindsey 2007). Video game addiction is not going anywhere, as it recently acquired enough infamy to make it worthy of inclusion into the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, under the “Conditions for Further Study” heading. It was deemed worthy of inclusion by the American Psychiatric Association, due to enough evidence, as well as, the fact that video game overuse results have similar symptoms and effects as seen in other psychological addictions. It has been noted that video game addiction bears many similarities to impulse control disorder and compulsive gambling...
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...\ The Addiction of Online Gaming Online gaming is becoming a major concern in the world today. Online gaming is becoming more and more popular among various ages in today’s society. Along with this becoming popular, it is starting to become known as an addition as well. . The addiction of the game is causing serious negative psychological effects. These negative psychological effects are not only affecting the life of the one playing, but it is also affects the life’s of the ones closest to them. Online gaming is affecting people’s health and physical ability. It is also causing negative affects in the gamers’ mental state of mind, both socially and emotionally. These are just a few of the negative psychological affects that online gaming is casing in the life of the gamer and his family. These characteristics are why online gaming can be considered to be an addition. In today’s society, millions of people play online games with more and more becoming addicted to the online world every day. The majority of those people are trying to escape their own lives and don’t have to deal with reality while they are playing games online. The online world can be whatever they choose it to be with them being whoever they want to be. In order to level up in these online games, gamers are almost forced to have as many “friends” as possible. Gamers, then become friends with other people, whom they have no idea who they really are in reality. Online gamers can become whoever they want to...
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...rings, another jolt from reality. It’s your buddy and it is now 6:00 p.m. and you still haven’t slept. He wants to know if you want to hang out, go get a bite to eat, or maybe have a few beers at the bar. You tell him you’re not feeling well and you don’t feel like going out. He’s doesn’t say anything, but he knows you’re playing that game and says, “Alright man, well get better.” Back to the game once more to continue your goal. This is the life of an Online Video Game addict. Relationships between friends, family, and lovers start to degrade. The job you once had has now turned into an Unemployment check. Massive Multiplayer Online games, or MMO, have taken a serious spot on the addiction scale. For a lot of people, it is an outreach to a world that isn’t their own, allowing them to be in a fantasy world, where they can be who or whatever they want. Being able to act the way they normally wouldn’t be able to act IRL (in real life). That freedom of expression and the non-judgmental society of the virtual world becomes an addiction....
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...Internet and Gaming Addiction: A Systematic Literature Review of Neuroimaging Studies Daria J. Kuss * and Mark D. Griffiths International Gaming Research Unit, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham NG1 4BU, UK; E-Mail: mark.griffiths@ntu.ac.uk * Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: daria.kuss@ntu.ac.uk; Tel.: +44-789-111-94-90. Received: 28 June 2012; in revised form: 24 August 2012 / Accepted: 28 August 2012 / Published: 5 September 2012 Abstract: In the past decade, research has accumulated suggesting that excessive Internet use can lead to the development of a behavioral addiction. Internet addiction has been considered as a serious threat to mental health and the excessive use of the Internet has been linked to a variety of negative psychosocial consequences. The aim of this review is to identify all empirical studies to date that used neuroimaging techniques to shed light upon the emerging mental health problem of Internet and gaming addiction from a neuroscientific perspective. Neuroimaging studies offer an advantage over traditional survey and behavioral research because with this method, it is possible to distinguish particular brain areas that are involved in the development and maintenance of addiction. A systematic literature search was conducted, identifying 18 studies. These studies provide compelling evidence for the similarities between different types of addictions, notably substance-related addictions and Internet...
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...Video Gaming Addiction and its Effects on Job Performance, Interpersonal Social Interaction, and Marriages Western Governors University Video Gaming Addiction and its Effects Within society there are several addictions that plague us and are mainly associated with substance abuse. There are addictions to drugs, alcohol, food and multiple others that are too numerous to list. However, within this century we have seen the rise of video game addiction among the young, the old, male and female. Video game addiction is related to other underlying disorders such as depression, obsessive-compulsive disorders, other anxiety disorders, and impulse control disorders (Oggins, 2012). The American Medical Association has considered adding this addiction to their manual of mental disorders (Northrup, 2014). There have been several studies on the addiction to video gaming. These studies correlate the negative effects of excessive time spent playing video games with the associated risks that result from this behavior. Research shows that video gaming has become one of the new addictions of the 21st Century due to the loss of interpersonal social interaction, negative effects on job performance, and the debilitating effects on marriages or relationships. Video game addiction is a direct result of the great leaps that we have made in technology. With the invention of the personal computer and following the inception of the internet this has spawned a new addiction that now plagues...
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...Computer Game Addiction - Symptoms, Treatment, & FAQs By Dr. Brent Conrad Clinical Psychologist for TechAddiction What is computer game addiction? Computer game addiction generally refers to an excessive, unhealthy amount of playing computer games. Rather than engaging in the real world, an addicted user devotes the majority of his or her time to gaming. The addicted gamer often isolates him/herself from others, ignores more important responsibilities, and is often obsessed with obtaining higher status / rankings / achievements in his/her favorite computer game. Is computer game addiction a diagnosable disorder? According to the DSM-IV (the current manual for classifying emotional, psychological, and mental disorders), no. Although there have been calls from some mental health professionals (and parents) to recognize computer game addiction as a "real" disorder, it has not been granted official diagnostic status. As more research on the effects of excessive gaming is conducted, many believe that it is only a matter of time before computer game addiction is classified as a compulsive behavior similar to gambling addiction. What are the symptoms of computer game addiction? Because there is no official diagnosis of computer game addiction, there is obviously no universally agreed upon list of symptoms. Psychologists and other mental health professionals initially adapted the diagnostic criteria for gambling addiction and used this as a rough assessment tool...
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