Brandon H Posted October 20, 2008 Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 Apparently Dr. Phil's show today is going to discuss the evils of gaming addiction. Here's his audit of how to identify if you are an addict: 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? Whatever. I've no doubt there are people with severe gaming problems but you could replace "gaming" with ANY behavior on that list and define someone as addicted. Hell, if that list were based on college football, I'd be committed to a detox program somewhere. I personally, thjink Dr. Phil is a hypocritical @sshole, but I figured someone else might get a laugh out of this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunnerX Posted October 20, 2008 Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 Is he a legit Dr. or can I also attach a Dr. in front of my name and do what he does? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeyN Posted October 20, 2008 Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 Well my answers are all no so I guess I'm not an addict :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whooter Posted October 20, 2008 Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 He's a jackass, but yes he has a doctorate in clinical psychology. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisBardon Posted October 20, 2008 Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 Whatever. I've no doubt there are people with severe gaming problems but you could replace "gaming" with ANY behavior on that list and define someone as addicted. Hell, if that list were based on college football, I'd be committed to a detox program somewhere. Actually, I'm pretty sure that most of those are from a pretty standard list of signs of addiction, so you're right, you probably could sub just about anything. #7 is the dead giveaway-come on, how many gaming addicts have ever had a sexual relationship Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OzzelsCousinFred Posted October 21, 2008 Report Share Posted October 21, 2008 It's like anything else you can get addicted to doing it, but like anything else you don't necessarily have to be addicted to enjoy it. Really it's all relative. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnthonyVolpe Posted October 21, 2008 Report Share Posted October 21, 2008 Would it be hypocritical for Dr. Phil to do a show on television addiction too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlbertA Posted October 21, 2008 Report Share Posted October 21, 2008 Would it be hypocritical for Dr. Phil to do a show on television addiction too? He's addicted to watching television?? :eh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derrik Draven Posted October 21, 2008 Report Share Posted October 21, 2008 heh, wonder where I fit in? I'm pretty much losing my current gf for a few reasons, and one of them is feeling absolutely smothered in that I can't do ANY gaming as long as she's in the house. The only reason I've been able to play Dead Space to the point where I'm almost finished with it is because I haven't seen her since last Wednesday. If she's in the house, my life is sitting on the couch watching her tv shows. If I get up to go down to the theater room, she makes the comment, "what; ain't I good enough to sit with"? Of course she says she's kidding but, I don't get that vibe at all. So, I've actually enjoyed this week without her there. Feel like I have breathing room! Not "walking on eggshells". And I'm quite a bit more excited about Far Cry 2 coming out tomorrow than the thought of her coming back home. So, gaming addiction? Prob not. Just the effect of never getting to enjoy my hobby. Of course, she thought it was great that my hobby kept me at home and not out at the bars, but she felt that way BEFORE she moved in! Funny how that changed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordan_E Posted October 21, 2008 Report Share Posted October 21, 2008 When I jump real high and then look around for an achievement, does that make me an addict? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreenMonkey Posted October 21, 2008 Report Share Posted October 21, 2008 So, gaming addiction? Prob not. Just the effect of never getting to enjoy my hobby. Of course, she thought it was great that my hobby kept me at home and not out at the bars, but she felt that way BEFORE she moved in! Funny how that changed. Everyone needs some independent time to do what they like to do. There's nothing wrong with that. You need a healthy balance, of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlbertA Posted October 21, 2008 Report Share Posted October 21, 2008 heh, wonder where I fit in? I'm pretty much losing my current gf for a few reasons, and one of them is feeling absolutely smothered in that I can't do ANY gaming as long as she's in the house. The only reason I've been able to play Dead Space to the point where I'm almost finished with it is because I haven't seen her since last Wednesday. If she's in the house, my life is sitting on the couch watching her tv shows. If I get up to go down to the theater room, she makes the comment, "what; ain't I good enough to sit with"? Of course she says she's kidding but, I don't get that vibe at all. So, I've actually enjoyed this week without her there. Feel like I have breathing room! Not "walking on eggshells". And I'm quite a bit more excited about Far Cry 2 coming out tomorrow than the thought of her coming back home. So, gaming addiction? Prob not. Just the effect of never getting to enjoy my hobby. Of course, she thought it was great that my hobby kept me at home and not out at the bars, but she felt that way BEFORE she moved in! Funny how that changed. Then dump the beyoatch... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted October 21, 2008 Report Share Posted October 21, 2008 (edited) Edited October 22, 2008 by Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlucci Posted October 22, 2008 Report Share Posted October 22, 2008 Call me when he cures Croyt. Carlos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christopher Posted October 22, 2008 Report Share Posted October 22, 2008 Gaming fixation could be linked to Ont. boy's disappearance: parents The parents of an Ontario boy who has been missing for over a week said Tuesday they believe their son's obsession with a video game had something to do with his disappearance. Brandon Crisp, 15, had been spending virtually every waking hour playing the Xbox game Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, his parents said. Steve and Angelika Crisp had, as a result, revoked his video game privileges on numerous occasions, they said. On Oct. 13, after an argument over the amount of time he spent playing the game, Crisp jumped on his bicycle and sped away from the family home in Barrie, Ont. Dr. Phil nails it again. Be afraid, very afraid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exile Posted October 23, 2008 Report Share Posted October 23, 2008 Everyone needs some independent time to do what they like to do. There's nothing wrong with that. You need a healthy balance, of course. The problem is I know a bunch of folks who were not finding a healthy balance. I'm sure gaming guys here don't fall into that but I have met a ton of EQ addicts that easily said yes to all the above and it really did affect their personal lifes. They simply failed to want another life. They simply played EQ 18-20 hrs on each weekend day and 40 hours per week while also working 40 hours per week. That kind of behavior in EQ was not rare at all. Plus the usual 12-14 hours after they got home on Fridays. I think most of us if not all of us would agree that the amount of time they were playing was NOT healthy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandon H Posted October 23, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 23, 2008 Of course some people engage in unhealthy behavior. My issue is really the undercurrent behind the overt message -- the unspoken but implicit whisperings that "look at the guys with Peter Pan syndrome" and "why would anyone their age play kids' games," etc. -- the assertion that even responsible gaming is a dirty, regrettable hobby in line with internet porn, etc... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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