University: Gaming addiction is real but over-diagnosed

***wraggster*** · March 27th, 2007, 20:09

via joystiq

Research at the U.K's University of Bolton says that gaming addiction may be over-diagnosed up to 10 percent of the time because indicators that were previously thought to relate to a gaming addiction had been borrowed from gambling addictions; what are the odds? Those markers may not translate between the two behavior patterns as well as previously thought.

10 percent doesn't sound like a major mistake -- unless you're in that group -- but the study balances some recent reports that hype and overstate the problem. (Oh Tyra, we thought you were better than the local news.) Still, the research stresses that gaming addictions are real.

**wiredforpower** · March 27th, 2007, 22:20

Gaming addictions aren't real. I can quit any time I want to

**Dbgtgoten** · March 27th, 2007, 22:33

i doubt they are real its just the human mind trying to make addictions...lol...

**gronne** · March 27th, 2007, 23:03

It's funny how this side(the gaming side) ALWAYS and under no circumstances agree with the critics. I don't game as much as I used to, but sure as $#@! anyone ought to understand sitting in front of a videogame all day long will have negative impacts on you. It's by all means addictive to you. When you're in school only thinking about coming home to game, you're obviously addicted to it.

Human beings are not evolutionary built to sit in front of a TV all day. Soccer is lovely too kids, if you want to get a little older than 30, not dying from obesity.

**wolfpack** · March 27th, 2007, 23:41

Im not addicted, i just need something to do... yea thats it

Besides, better addicted to games than addicted to drugs

**Yobumtin** · March 27th, 2007, 23:45

Your mind can't become dependent on games..Unless it makes you feel better when your down or something. Then I guess a case might pop up. You could really love games and hate not playing them..But you can't be addicted.