Get your head out of the game

Video game addiction is seen by experts as a growing trend
Originally published in the Nov. 3, 2010 issue of the Coast Report
By Parker Shannon, Coast Report Staff Writer

Photo courtesy of Google

Most would consider video games a harmless hobby but for some people it grows into a life-altering addiction.

Although video game addiction is not recognized by the American Psychiatric Association, the condition is becoming widely recognized as more people reveal that their pastime has begun to consume their lives.

“I’ve heard of kids staying in their rooms playing online for very long periods of time,” Sylvia Worden, associate dean of Orange Coast College’s student health services, said.

Worden said that she had heard one case of a young man staying in his room for hours on end, and only taking his meals in front of the computer. She said that his mother would leave food on a tray outside his bedroom door so that he could get it during lulls in the games he played.

Video game addiction is not limited to young men living at home with their parents, though. Even successful athletes can lose themselves in the virtual world.

Quinn Pitcock, defensive tackle for the Seattle Seahawks, gave up a contract to play for the Indianapolis Colts in 2007 and spent most of 2008 locked away in his home playing video games, according to an article on fanhouse.com.

Pitcock said in the article that he eventually sought help from a counselor and overcame his addiction. He said he has broken and burned most of his games and doesn’t play at all anymore — aside from an occasional game of online poker.

Game addiction has only made it to the public eye a few times recently as a major issue but at OCC’s Student Health Center the disorder is still very rare.

“I have never seen any cases here on campus in my short time being here,” Karen McLucas, family and children’s counselor at the campus health center, said.

She verified with a therapist working in the health center that there have been no serious cases of video game addiction at OCC.

Still, some students on campus believe that addiction to video games is a serious issue.

“It’s obviously a problem, even if it’s not happening on campus. I think it’s important that people find out that there is a risk of addiction,” Marissa Marie a 21-year-old marketing major, said.

Finding help should be a priority for those who fear they may be addicted to games, according to Marie.

Another student agreed.

“I know kids who do that kind of thing,” Robert Magnus, 20, an English major said. “It doesn’t necessarily ruin their lives, but they treat it like a smoker treats cigarettes and it’s definitely unhealthy.”

For more information on video game addiction and assistance finding treatment options, visit On-Line Gamers Anonymous at www.olganon.org.

On-Line Gamers Anonymous uses a list created by gamers and professionals to help determine if excessive gaming is a problem. The website states that the list is not a diagnostic tool and that it will have more benefit if the responses are honest. To read the list click on this link.