SPOnG reported earlier this month that doctors from the American Medical Association (AMA) are looking to get game addiction classified as a disease. Well, now it seems that they might have changed their minds.
American Medical Association members will vote on the matter later this week, which could see gaming addiction become classified as a mental disorder in the new American Diagnostic and Statistic Manual of Mental Disorders, due to be updated in 2012.
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"There is nothing here to suggest that this is a complex physiological disease state akin to alcoholism or other substance abuse disorders, and it doesn't get to have the word addiction attached to it," said Dr. Stuart Gitlow of the American Society of Addiction Medicine and Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in New York.
SPOnG fully agrees with fully backs Dr.Gitlow’s view, which is also backed by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA).
However, Dr. Thomas Allen of the Osler Medical Center disagrees, claiming that, "Working with this problem is no different than working with alcoholic patients. The same denial, the same rationalization, the same inability to give it up.”
We’ll bring you an update when the AMA makes its final recommendations on the matter later this week.
American Medical Association members will vote on the matter later this week, which could see gaming addiction become classified as a mental disorder in the new American Diagnostic and Statistic Manual of Mental Disorders, due to be updated in 2012.
.
"There is nothing here to suggest that this is a complex physiological disease state akin to alcoholism or other substance abuse disorders, and it doesn't get to have the word addiction attached to it," said Dr. Stuart Gitlow of the American Society of Addiction Medicine and Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in New York.
SPOnG fully agrees with fully backs Dr.Gitlow’s view, which is also backed by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA).
However, Dr. Thomas Allen of the Osler Medical Center disagrees, claiming that, "Working with this problem is no different than working with alcoholic patients. The same denial, the same rationalization, the same inability to give it up.”
We’ll bring you an update when the AMA makes its final recommendations on the matter later this week.
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Comments
hollywooda 25 Jun 2007 09:39
1/5
I wouldnt know..... i'm normally too drunk when i'm gaming...
Joji 25 Jun 2007 12:28
2/5
I think what's happening to us is that some feel the need to diagnose everything. It seems you aren't capable of just being a fan of something and enjoy whatever it is anymore.
What next? People being addicted to driving or walking? Are doctors addicted to being doctors, because they do work so much?
For the minority that play games for three days straight without toilet breaks and food are very rare beasts. As far as I'm aware games already come with enough warnings about taking breaks and potential epilepsy. Can't see what more you can do here.
What next? People being addicted to driving or walking? Are doctors addicted to being doctors, because they do work so much?
For the minority that play games for three days straight without toilet breaks and food are very rare beasts. As far as I'm aware games already come with enough warnings about taking breaks and potential epilepsy. Can't see what more you can do here.
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Earl 25 Jun 2007 16:32
3/5
Gaming addiction is very very real as any hardcore WoW players, if people let them games liek wow can destroy family life and social life, to the point of individuals becoming hermit never leaving there home.
Im an Addict, i freely admit im an adict as are a large group of my RL friends.
/wave
/5 LFG Shadow labs.70 shadow priest
Im an Addict, i freely admit im an adict as are a large group of my RL friends.
/wave
/5 LFG Shadow labs.70 shadow priest
hollywooda 25 Jun 2007 17:01
4/5
I suppose like all forms of addiction gaming is escapism, i can see how gaming could be considered addictive....because it is! haha, mainly because i (personally) find it very relaxing, when you're playing a game, you dont think about anything else, your in that game & thats it, all the s**t of the day, work stressing you out or whatever it's all gone. There are obviously diffrent levels of addiction, i mean if your phoning in sick for days to play games or neglecting things in your life, friends, family then thats a problem, & these are problems that are very commen with drug addiction. I'll get off my soap box now, as im off to do a few lines then get on Gears of war!!! hahaha... nahh only joking.......it's Call of duty.
Mike 28 Jun 2007 21:10
5/5
How ridiculous. Is watching TV a mental disorder? Playing sports? I guarantee about 80% of the world "chronically" does something in their life... they just like to attack gamers because they're easy to label and the content is often violent.
But so is TV! So is hockey! It just really pisses me off when people try to rub off bad kids or lack of discipline and blame gaming instead of their horrible parenting skills. I did an article on this in college about gaming addiction called "Mind Games" and got a unanimous response on my point of view.
But so is TV! So is hockey! It just really pisses me off when people try to rub off bad kids or lack of discipline and blame gaming instead of their horrible parenting skills. I did an article on this in college about gaming addiction called "Mind Games" and got a unanimous response on my point of view.