Computer games are supposed to be fun, but when a hobby turns into an addiction, virtual fantasy worlds can wreck real lives and ruin real marriages.
Sixty-five percent of American households play computer and video games, and surprisingly, the average player is 35 years old. And, if these video games can wreak havoc in adult lives, imagine the effect they could have on children. Check the following list to see if you or your child is at risk:
1. Do you feel that you need to play online games as a way of dealing with anxiety or depression in your general life?
2. Are you preoccupied with gaming so much that you are distracted from the priorities in your life, such as relationships, school or jobs?
3. Have you lied to your friends or family to conceal your obsessive thinking about gaming?
4. Do you get restless and irritable when you are away from gaming or feel that you are restricted from your next gaming event?
5. Have you attempted to stop or cut back your gaming behavior, but failed because of the anxiety, depression or general stress you experience?
6. Do you feel you need to play online games because it gives you the self-esteem and confidence other activities don’t?
7. Have you lost or damaged a relationship, such as affectionate, sexual or parental connection because of your obsession, lying or distorting your behavior of gaming?
8. Have you diminished your goals, such as grades, sports, money, etc. because of your obsession with gaming?
9. Have you lost or damaged job opportunities because of your obsessive gaming behavior?
10. Have you lost or damaged family and community relationships because of your gaming behavior?
If you have answered “yes” or even “sometimes” to any of these 10 questions, it is highly likely you are dealing with an addictive behavioral pattern to gaming. It is recommended that you seek help for this issue so that you can develop a healthy balance of mental health to your life.
1. Do you feel that you need to play online games as a way of dealing with anxiety or depression in your general life?
Nope.
2. Are you preoccupied with gaming so much that you are distracted from the priorities in your life, such as relationships, school or jobs?
Not even close.
3. Have you lied to your friends or family to conceal your obsessive thinking about gaming?
Nope.
4. Do you get restless and irritable when you are away from gaming or feel that you are restricted from your next gaming event?
Hmm... Nope. I often have busted PC so I'm used to getting without it. I just play the guitar, read a book or something else when I'm not playing.
5. Have you attempted to stop or cut back your gaming behavior, but failed because of the anxiety, depression or general stress you experience?
Depression? Stress? I get more stressful when I PLAY, then when I don't.
6. Do you feel you need to play online games because it gives you the self-esteem and confidence other activities don’t?
Nope, I feel better when I get better at playing the guitar. It's better.
7. Have you lost or damaged a relationship, such as affectionate, sexual or parental connection because of your obsession, lying or distorting your behavior of gaming?
No.
8. Have you diminished your goals, such as grades, sports, money, etc. because of your obsession with gaming?
Haha... no.
9. Have you lost or damaged job opportunities because of your obsessive gaming behavior?
No?
10. Have you lost or damaged family and community relationships because of your gaming behavior?
Nice to see the questions already assume "Obsession".
This coming from the same Dr. Phil, who believes "social-networking" is pretty much the devil because it exploits privacy, all the while he makes his daily living exploiting peoples private lives on national TV.
Anything and everything can be addicting. Seriously. You could take those questions and in every single one of them, replace "gaming" with anything else you can think of.
1. Do you feel that you need to play online games as a way of dealing with anxiety or depression in your general life?
nope
2. Are you preoccupied with gaming so much that you are distracted from the priorities in your life, such as relationships, school or jobs?
nope
3. Have you lied to your friends or family to conceal your obsessive thinking about gaming?
yeah one time lol
4. Do you get restless and irritable when you are away from gaming or feel that you are restricted from your next gaming event?
yeah lol somtimes
5. Have you attempted to stop or cut back your gaming behavior, but failed because of the anxiety, depression or general stress you experience?
nope it was a sucsess
6. Do you feel you need to play online games because it gives you the self-esteem and confidence other activities don’t?
nope i play guitar n drums
7. Have you lost or damaged a relationship, such as affectionate, sexual or parental connection because of your obsession, lying or distorting your behavior of gaming?
nope never
8. Have you diminished your goals, such as grades, sports, money, etc. because of your obsession with gaming?
lol nope
9. Have you lost or damaged job opportunities because of your obsessive gaming behavior?
cant be arsed with a job so that would be a no xD
10. Have you lost or damaged family and community relationships because of your gaming behavior?
I'm addicted to caffeine, sex and red meat. I don't feel any need or pressing urge to take care of these addictions. Life is for living, not spending trying to conform to what tv doctors in search of the next quick buck define to be normal.
1. Do you feel that you need to play online games as a way of dealing with anxiety or depression in your general life?
- No
2. Are you preoccupied with gaming so much that you are distracted from the priorities in your life, such as relationships, school or jobs?
- Yes, unfortunatly
3. Have you lied to your friends or family to conceal your obsessive thinking about gaming?
- No, They know I have no life
4. Do you get restless and irritable when you are away from gaming or feel that you are restricted from your next gaming event?
- No
5. Have you attempted to stop or cut back your gaming behavior, but failed because of the anxiety, depression or general stress you experience?
-Why cut back on gaming?
6. Do you feel you need to play online games because it gives you the self-esteem and confidence other activities don’t?
- Yes, Cause I am not that good at many things.
7. Have you lost or damaged a relationship, such as affectionate, sexual or parental connection because of your obsession, lying or distorting your behavior of gaming?
- No
8. Have you diminished your goals, such as grades, sports, money, etc. because of your obsession with gaming?
- Yes, I 'wasted' money on gaming, And failed some tests, Not grades though
9. Have you lost or damaged job opportunities because of your obsessive gaming behavior?
- No, Me, Being 16, I did not have any job opportunities yet
10. Have you lost or damaged family and community relationships because of your gaming behavior?
1. Do you feel that you need to play online games as a way of dealing with anxiety or depression in your general life?
Nope, havent even played this whole week, because of homework.... lol
2. Are you preoccupied with gaming so much that you are distracted from the priorities in your life, such as relationships, school or jobs?
Nope, like i said above
3. Have you lied to your friends or family to conceal your obsessive thinking about gaming?
Nope
4. Do you get restless and irritable when you are away from gaming or feel that you are restricted from your next gaming event?
No
5. Have you attempted to stop or cut back your gaming behavior, but failed because of the anxiety, depression or general stress you experience?
Nope, i did play too much but that is because the game all new etc, i play less now
6. Do you feel you need to play online games because it gives you the self-esteem and confidence other activities don’t?
Ehh... NO?!
7. Have you lost or damaged a relationship, such as affectionate, sexual or parental connection because of your obsession, lying or distorting your behavior of gaming?
Non
8. Have you diminished your goals, such as grades, sports, money, etc. because of your obsession with gaming?
Nee
9. Have you lost or damaged job opportunities because of your obsessive gaming behavior?
Nein
10. Have you lost or damaged family and community relationships because of your gaming behavior?
Anything and everything can be addicting. Seriously. You could take those questions and in every single one of them, replace "gaming" with anything else you can think of.
I'm pretty sure that's exactly what he did. Those are pretty much the diagnostic probes for "addiction," period.
Gaming addiction is not recognized as an actual "addiction" here in the US by psychologists funny enough. Over in Asia I hear they actually have essentially detox centers for gaming addiction. This list could be true of a million hobbies though like racing, football, soccer, golfing, fishing... forum trolling.
Internet addiction is huge. Perhaps I'm the only one but I swear, when my ISP goes down for an hour I go crazy. I can't check my email, I can't get directions to that restaurant, I can't see what time that movie is playing, I can't read my favorite blogs... suddenly there is no bigger priority in my life then talking on that phone to Comcast again and asking WTF is going on!! I NEED MY FIX! Because my cell phone's screen is just too frickin' small.
I don't really understand how you can say gaming is a bad thing. If you enjoy it then do it to your hearts content. It is the same when sports freaks constantly watch and play sports or couch potatoes constantly watch TV.
If you enjoy doing it do it, don't let people tell you otherwise.
Computer games are supposed to be fun, but when a hobby turns into an addiction, virtual fantasy worlds can wreck real lives and ruin real marriages.
Sixty-five percent of American households play computer and video games, and surprisingly, the average player is 35 years old. And, if these video games can wreak havoc in adult lives, imagine the effect they could have on children. Check the following list to see if you or your child is at risk:
1. Do you feel that you need to play online games as a way of dealing with anxiety or depression in your general life?
2. Are you preoccupied with gaming so much that you are distracted from the priorities in your life, such as relationships, school or jobs?
3. Have you lied to your friends or family to conceal your obsessive thinking about gaming?
4. Do you get restless and irritable when you are away from gaming or feel that you are restricted from your next gaming event?
5. Have you attempted to stop or cut back your gaming behavior, but failed because of the anxiety, depression or general stress you experience?
6. Do you feel you need to play online games because it gives you the self-esteem and confidence other activities don’t?
7. Have you lost or damaged a relationship, such as affectionate, sexual or parental connection because of your obsession, lying or distorting your behavior of gaming?
8. Have you diminished your goals, such as grades, sports, money, etc. because of your obsession with gaming?
9. Have you lost or damaged job opportunities because of your obsessive gaming behavior?
10. Have you lost or damaged family and community relationships because of your gaming behavior?
If you have answered “yes” or even “sometimes” to any of these 10 questions, it is highly likely you are dealing with an addictive behavioral pattern to gaming. It is recommended that you seek help for this issue so that you can develop a healthy balance of mental health to your life.
1: Yes. Because every time I've encountered reality I've been kicked around like a football.
2: No. I've completely given up on reality. My priorities now only involves earning for a living and spend the rest of my life online.
3: I never lie. My family don't worry about me even if I tell them about my troubles. My big brother even laughed and called me weak once when I told him about it. I have no friends either.
4: I do. Since I can make nothing of reality I've begun making as much as I can of gaming.
5: Reality is scary. I once met a girl who made me wanna quit gaming since she was the first person who was interessted in me, but it turned out she was just betting that she would date the most useless guy in school. After she had won the bet I was back to being a loser to her.
6: My weak physics doesn't count on an online game so yes. I don't have to confront my weak appearance in a game.
7: No. I had none from the beginning.
8: I have goals, but they are more like wishthinking.
9: No I have not. I got a lousy job but I don't think I can get anything better.
10: Again: I have no relationships.
PS: To anyone who read this and thought I was weak: RED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GO you. You are some bastard to judge other peoples misery.
To anyone who felt pity with me: Sorry. I lied XD I know I know I'm somewhat of an asshole lol BUT: Certain things are true. The experience I had with a girl in number 5 for instance. It had nothing to do with gaming but it did happen to me anyways. I also have a physically weak appearance, however I still haven't lost an armwrestle lol.
1. Do you feel that you need to play online games as a way of dealing with anxiety or depression in your general life?
Heck, no. I play games because playing them makes me feel good, nothing more.
2. Are you preoccupied with gaming so much that you are distracted from the priorities in your life, such as relationships, school or jobs?
Um, hello? Gaming is my priority. I'm never distracted when I game, so nope.
3. Have you lied to your friends or family to conceal your obsessive thinking about gaming?
Never. When I'm with them, I constantly talk about gaming.
4. Do you get restless and irritable when you are away from gaming or feel that you are restricted from your next gaming event?
I used to, but I solved this by gaming 24/7. Hasn't happened since. So, um, nope.
5. Have you attempted to stop or cut back your gaming behavior, but failed because of the anxiety, depression or general stress you experience?
I can honestly say that I've never attempted to cut back on or stop my gaming behaviour, so that's a no.
6. Do you feel you need to play online games because it gives you the self-esteem and confidence other activities don’t?
Heck, no, man. I play to help others. Seriously, they need help from the master. I couldn't live with myself if I didn't share my gaming prowess. I may suck at everything else, but I freakin' ROCK at gaming. You should see some of these noobs play. I was out with a warrior with mending the other day. lolz. I mean, come on. lrn2ply!
7. Have you lost or damaged a relationship, such as affectionate, sexual or parental connection because of your obsession, lying or distorting your behavior of gaming?
Only once. But, I'm sorry, did she have to go into labor when I was almost finished vanquishing Drakkar Lake? I told her I only had a few mobs left, but noooo, she wanted to leave for the hospital right away. I gave her money for a cab--what more did she want? I learned my lesson, though, and took steps to ensure that it never happens again. I no longer have relationships.
8. Have you diminished your goals, such as grades, sports, money, etc. because of your obsession with gaming?
I don't see maxing titles in the list, and those are the only goals I have. So no, I haven't diminished any goals.
9. Have you lost or damaged job opportunities because of your obsessive gaming behavior?
I've never applied for a job. Too busy gaming.
10. Have you lost or damaged family and community relationships because of your gaming behavior?
Nope. I chat with the GameStop clerks every time I go into the store. And when family visits, I switch to console gaming so at least I'm in the living room with them. That's pretty thoughtful of me, I think.
Quote:
If you have answered “yes” or even “sometimes” to any of these 10 questions, it is highly likely you are dealing with an addictive behavioral pattern to gaming.
Whew! Sounds like I'm okay. Back to vanquishing...
(Seriously, while the vast majority of gamers don't have a problem, I've heard stories of gamers who have neglected their families and risked their jobs for games. It does happen.)
Internet addiction is huge. Perhaps I'm the only one but I swear, when my ISP goes down for an hour I go crazy. I can't check my email, I can't get directions to that restaurant, I can't see what time that movie is playing, I can't read my favorite blogs... suddenly there is no bigger priority in my life then talking on that phone to Comcast again and asking WTF is going on!! I NEED MY FIX! Because my cell phone's screen is just too frickin' small.
If my electricity goes out because of a storm, my heater doesn't work, no more lights, my garage doors don't open (have to use the manual override), water heater is down, do I feel irritable when that happens? YES!
Does this mean I am addicited to electricity? I suspect that I am addicted to water, air, and food too.
1. Do you feel that you need to play online games as a way of dealing with anxiety or depression in your general life?
Well hubby hasn't been hit with a pan lately so he's grateful
2. Are you preoccupied with gaming so much that you are distracted from the priorities in your life, such as relationships, school or jobs?
Not with the size of our mortgage, not to mention I like to eat
3. Have you lied to your friends or family to conceal your obsessive thinking about gaming?
pfft no they know I'm thinking about it
4. Do you get restless and irritable when you are away from gaming or feel that you are restricted from your next gaming event?
NO if there's an event I take a vacation day
5. Have you attempted to stop or cut back your gaming behavior, but failed because of the anxiety, depression or general stress you experience?
No I naturally need a break sometimes or it gets boring
6. Do you feel you need to play online games because it gives you the self-esteem and confidence other activities don’t?
no I like to win and it's a challenge
7. Have you lost or damaged a relationship, such as affectionate, sexual or parental connection because of your obsession, lying or distorting your behavior of gaming?
no
8. Have you diminished your goals, such as grades, sports, money, etc. because of your obsession with gaming?
no
9. Have you lost or damaged job opportunities because of your obsessive gaming behavior?
no been at this job forever sheesh I'm over 50 after all
10. Have you lost or damaged family and community relationships because of your gaming behavior?
no
And chocolate, starbucks, books, cross stitch addictions!!!
Dr. Phil is a quack and a know it all.
I like Judge Judy better
If you have answered “yes” or even “sometimes” to any of these 10 questions, it is highly likely you are dealing with an addictive behavioral pattern to gaming. It is recommended that you seek help for this issue so that you can develop a healthy balance of mental health to your life.