Video Game Addictions

Video Games and Computer Addiction

Electronic gaming and internet addiction is a new community problem.   A number of studies have been done to address these problems, but there is not a reliable treatment in which clinicians can rely on to diagnose and treat them.   Although there is not a valid empirical study that supports the treatment of video game and internet addition, some professionals have created useful assessment tools and treatments to address these types of disorders.
      Online video game addiction research has mostly been focused on negative effects, but according to Park & Lee (2011) this excessive gaming has some positive effects.   These positive effects have to do with the emotional satisfaction and concentration as well as, curiosity and enjoyment.   Video games, online gaming, and Internet become a problem when people start neglecting their daily responsibilities such as family, work, school, and start spending hours using these devices without noticing their excessive use.
      It is a fact that excessive video gaming causes health problems, and health professionals have stated several concerns regarding video game playing.   During the last twenty years rheumatologists have diagnosed gamers with “Pac-man’s Elbow.”   This is a condition characterized by muscle and skin problems from repeated small strokes while playing.   Gamers also complain of numbness on fingers, hands, and elbows due to excessive playing (Weinstein, 2011).   Additionally, hallucinations, wrist and neck pain, problems with tendons, strain injuries, and bed wetting are also health problems caused by excessive video game playing (Weinstein, 2011).
      Additionally, game addicted individuals may be at risk of suffering epileptic seizures. Doctors do not have enough evidence of the correlation between epileptic seizures and massive multiplayer online games (MMOGs) players, but they agree that MMOGs players need to be aware of the risk (Park & Lee, 2011).   Weinstein and...