gamers

[jhellie_baby]

this would classify to those gamers that spend time playing with there favorite games, don't bother to eat or even take a break to rest just to finish what they are playing. do people like this admit that they have problems with their own self?

[Blender]

Gaming is fun, and it has been beneficial for some. Some families and groups of friends hold gaming parties, where they play Guitar Hero or some other game. Scientifically, gaming has been known to improve hand and eye coordination, increase motoro and coordination skills, boost self discipline and improve logic and problem solving skills. But as you said, Jhellie, some people just take it too far!

[zen]

Addiction experts say that the there are not hard black and white proof of addiction to gaming. It is purely subjective. The person has to take time to evaluate how his or her gaming is affecting work, love or play. If relationships are suffering, or school work is below par, then there might be a problem

[LiveWIRE]

That is why it's difficult to gauge a person's addiction isn't it? Unlike drugs, it's easy to identify physical dependence, gaming and other behavioral addictions don't have a clear cut criteria to look out for.

[zen]

One criteria I always tell my kids to follow is called the want/should ratio... if they do a lot more things they WANT to like games and surfing the Net, and it is disproportionate to the things they do because they SHOULD do it, then it's time for a talk with me.

[Blender]

I've read before that too much gaming leads to epileptic seizures, musculoskeletal disorders and increased metabolic rate. That does not include having increased propensity for aggression that has been associated with violent games!

[Peruvian]

I've heard about that. I think the report came from the American Medical Association. The report also claimed that too much gaming can cause a person to withdraw socially and exhibit antisocial behaviour.

[AmitaLaSalle]

I thought the AMA does not recognize gaming as an addiction?

[DocMon]

Well, officially, they don't. But they still think too much gaming is a bad idea.

[AmitaLaSalle]

back to the original question, gaming addiction is characterized by certain behaviors that are indicative of addiction. I think the symptoms of addiction have been discussed in these forums too.