I really, really hope this doesn't become part of a victim-complex. I apologize if saying that offends anyone, because I myself went through high school totally ignoring my academic...
I really, really hope this doesn't become part of a victim-complex.
I apologize if saying that offends anyone, because I myself went through high school totally ignoring my academic responsibilities and just playing games from the time school ended to when school started the next morning (other than music classes) and saw my grades become total bunk, but I noticed when I stopped playing games cold turkey I merely replaced it with something else.
I would probably have been diagnosed with this as a kid, and the problem with the WHO actually identifying this is now companies will be allowed to medicate for it. Really kids like me back in high school just needed a good (and hard) push in the right direction; not fed pills.
The problem I think today is that games I played as a kid weren't designed to be life-encompassing endeavors. They had start and stop moments. There was a credit roll, there weren't DLCs, and there weren't any in-app purchases. It was a cartridge or a disc and that was it. Today companies rely on hook strategies, many coming directly out of ludological theories on gambling and addiction and how to design experiences to grab people in primal ways and convince them to empty their pocketbooks.
Given that games today are designed to actually create physical addictions, does this mean that "gaming disorders" (just because the WHO says a thing exists doesn't mean it does) can actually be medically treated? What about gaming rehab? Or is this something that can really only be fixed with physical and mental force from within?
I think this "gaming disorder" is missing the forest for the trees. As you say, the issue isn't the games themselves, it's the pattern of escapist behaviour. Games, in this context, can be...
I think this "gaming disorder" is missing the forest for the trees.
As you say, the issue isn't the games themselves, it's the pattern of escapist behaviour. Games, in this context, can be replaced with anything - I go on huge reading binges when overly anxious, for instance, to the point where it's unhealthy in exactly the same way. I used to do it with games, too.
If anything, this general pattern of behaviour is what should be given a proper name and a treatment - not a specific sub-example of it.
The volume, out this week, diagnoses the newly minted disorder with three key telltale signs: Impaired control over gaming (e.g. onset, frequency, intensity, duration, termination, context)...
The volume, out this week, diagnoses the newly minted disorder with three key telltale signs:
Impaired control over gaming (e.g. onset, frequency, intensity, duration, termination, context)
Increasing priority given to gaming to the extent that gaming takes precedence over other life interests and daily activities
Continuation or escalation of gaming despite the occurrence of negative consequences
Of course, these are just guidelines from the WHO. Not every gamer is an addict.
In spite of what may appear to be universal symptoms, however, the organization is quick to note that the prevalence of gaming disorder, as defined by the WHO, is actually “very low.” WHO member Dr. Vladimir Poznyak tells CNN, “Millions of gamers around the world, even when it comes to the intense gaming, would never qualify as people suffering from gaming disorder.”
I’m actually surprised it took so long for this particular disorder to be officially recognised. For me gaming is just another hobby that should be done in moderation, everything can become an...
I’m actually surprised it took so long for this particular disorder to be officially recognised. For me gaming is just another hobby that should be done in moderation, everything can become an addiction if not properly monitored and so the fact that it’s taken this long to be identified as a possible addiction considering how long gaming has been around for is rather unusual.
I really, really hope this doesn't become part of a victim-complex.
I apologize if saying that offends anyone, because I myself went through high school totally ignoring my academic responsibilities and just playing games from the time school ended to when school started the next morning (other than music classes) and saw my grades become total bunk, but I noticed when I stopped playing games cold turkey I merely replaced it with something else.
I would probably have been diagnosed with this as a kid, and the problem with the WHO actually identifying this is now companies will be allowed to medicate for it. Really kids like me back in high school just needed a good (and hard) push in the right direction; not fed pills.
The problem I think today is that games I played as a kid weren't designed to be life-encompassing endeavors. They had start and stop moments. There was a credit roll, there weren't DLCs, and there weren't any in-app purchases. It was a cartridge or a disc and that was it. Today companies rely on hook strategies, many coming directly out of ludological theories on gambling and addiction and how to design experiences to grab people in primal ways and convince them to empty their pocketbooks.
Given that games today are designed to actually create physical addictions, does this mean that "gaming disorders" (just because the WHO says a thing exists doesn't mean it does) can actually be medically treated? What about gaming rehab? Or is this something that can really only be fixed with physical and mental force from within?
I think this "gaming disorder" is missing the forest for the trees.
As you say, the issue isn't the games themselves, it's the pattern of escapist behaviour. Games, in this context, can be replaced with anything - I go on huge reading binges when overly anxious, for instance, to the point where it's unhealthy in exactly the same way. I used to do it with games, too.
If anything, this general pattern of behaviour is what should be given a proper name and a treatment - not a specific sub-example of it.
The volume, out this week, diagnoses the newly minted disorder with three key telltale signs:
Of course, these are just guidelines from the WHO. Not every gamer is an addict.
I’m actually surprised it took so long for this particular disorder to be officially recognised. For me gaming is just another hobby that should be done in moderation, everything can become an addiction if not properly monitored and so the fact that it’s taken this long to be identified as a possible addiction considering how long gaming has been around for is rather unusual.