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).
The Essay on Dealing With Video Games’ Problems
In present-day society, with the Internet technologies developing rapidly, video games have assumed an increasingly crucial role in people’s lives. Admittedly, video games may attract lots of people, and gaming industry has achieved a good success. However, there are many problems with video games such as game addiction of China’s youth and the utilitarian behaviors of the game companies so that ...
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 Lejoyeux (2010) stated that other internet addiction health problems are feelings of anger, social withdrawal, tiredness, lying, and decrease in work and or school performance (Weinstein & Lejoyeux, 2010).
Illnesses associated with Internet and Game Addiction
Anxiety disorders, as well as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and social anxiety are mental illnesses associated with Internet addiction (Weinstein and Lejoyeux, 2010).
In a study performed to students in Germany, 78% of them showed impulsivity and depression associated with Internet addiction. Hypomania, dysthymia, obsessive compulsive personality disorder, and avoidant personality were evident at a higher percentage in people Internet disorder. Internet disorder refers is the same as internet addiction. (Weinstein & Lejoyeux 2010).
Experts are trying to find treatments for internet addiction. According to Weinstein and Lejoeux (2010) a dose of 10mg of Escitalopram has help decrease the amount of hours spent in the internet. Escitalopram is commonly used to treat obsessive compulsive disorder (Weinstein & Lejoyeux 2010).
It is interesting how experts are finding their own ways to treat internet addiction. As the use of Internet increases the increase of studies and treatments will be on the rise too.
Psychological and Physical Symptoms of Computer and Game Addiction
According to Weinstein (2010) addictive behavior in general includes mood swings, withdrawal, symptoms, family problems, tolerance, and relapse. Weinstein suggests three mechanisms that are factors for excessive computer use. The first mechanism has to do with feelings of stress and frustration that are overcome by meeting the challenges and figuring out the strategies of the game. The second mechanism deals with the reinforcement that goes on while learning and coping with the excitement and frustration encountered while playing. Third, extensive computer playing is usually maintained by a positive response that comes from handling the emotional reward and frustrating sensations that come up while playing (Weinstein 2010).
The Homework on Internet Addiction – fact of fiction?
-The essay's broken down into different parts.... - Describing the Issue Getting On-line for a couple of hours is common. Normally, this is just an occasional thing, but for some it becomes and obsession. These people are addicted to the Internet. The Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD) is one of the many results of the widespread of the Internet. Although quite common, many people do not recognize ...
The reward sensation is the reason why obsessive players keep challenging themselves to continue playing. All these factors can lead to gaming becoming an important part of a player’s life. This is when gaming becomes an addiction.
Substance abusers and video game players experience the same rewarding feelings. Therefore, according to Weinstein (2010), video game players are learning to cope with stress in a negative manner similar to drug users. While more time is spent playing video games the social life of the gamer can decrease and therefore the gamer experiences social isolation.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Internet addiction does not exist in the Diagnostic and Statistics Manual IV, and there is no valid assessment to help diagnose this type of addiction (Weinstein and Lejoyeux 2010).
A recent study has shown that substance dependence questionnaires can be used to diagnose addiction. A new questionnaire that has been used to diagnose internet addiction is the Young’s Internet Addiction Scale (IAT) (Weinstein and Lejoyeux, 2010 (See Appendix A)
The Computer Addiction Treatment Program of Southern California developed a treatment program for individuals who are addicted to computer and video games. The treatment includes an assessment to diagnose computer/internet dependency or abuse. The symptom criteria for dependence diagnosis include: irritability, depression and anxiety symptoms, constant desire to limit computer use, lying about computer use, lack of sleep due to excessive use computer use, and relational problems. The symptom criteria for computer/internet abuse diagnosis include continuous computer use leading to failure to comply with school work, home responsibilities, children negligence, and problems with family in a six month period (www.computergamingaddiction.com, 2010).
The Homework on Computer Internet Games One
Of all of the technology that I use, my computer has had the biggest impact. It helps me do homework, allows me to communicate with almost anyone in the world, and give me an outlet for my creativity. This machine is one of the most flexible devices and greatest time savers ever built, and I have difficulty imagining my life without it. My PC's most practical use is helping with homework. Typed ...
Shaw and Black (2008) discuss Young’s proposed criteria to diagnose internet addiction. The criteria are classified in five different behaviors based on impulse control behaviors. The five classifications include individuals who download pornography and adult chats, individuals who become involved in sentimental relationships, individuals who gamble, individuals who spend a lot of time reaching and collecting information, and individuals who become addicted to computer games (Shaw and Black 2008).
These individuals become addicted because they have problems with impulse control. They experience a sense of pleasure that leads them to failure to control the impulse to stop playing. Therefore Shaw and Black recommend clinicians to use Impulse Control Disorder or otherwise specified to diagnose individuals who play excessively (Shaw and Black 2008).
Discussion
People don’t perceive online technology as a problem but as a solution to make our lives cheaper and efficient. They use Facebook religiously to keep in-touch with friends and family. They play Xbox Live to compete with other on-line players, people read online newspapers to get current events, buy event tickets, and use every internet resource available to find all types of information. Some people classify internet as a helpful resource, not an addiction.
Although there is not a research based method for specifically treating gaming and internet addiction there are some resources that can be used to treat these addictions. The methods discussed are only a few, but it is enough information to make the initial assessment and to make a diagnosis. One appropriate treatment for internet addiction is abstinence, and there are some studies which state that eight weeks of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder treatment is proven to be effective (Weinstein, 2010).
Internet addiction symptoms are similar to those of anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and depression. The lack of studies to treat this specific type of addiction has lead experts to also recommend interventions used to treat substance abuse disorders.
The Term Paper on The Internet 11
Introduction The Internet has received a great deal of attention recently as consumers, analysts and even government officials see it as the coming way that Americans will not only do business, but also shop, communicate and receive entertainment. From a small, geographically dispersed group of users only a decade ago, the Internet has added millions of users in the past years. Internet users ...
Reference
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Getting back in the game of life.
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