A new study by the University of Sydney has revealed that 1 in 12 gamers are "addicted". TVNZ have a high-level review of the report, which is based on a survey that went out to almost 2000 gamers around the world:

"Their whole lives revolve around this activity and there certainly seems to be a problem there - there is an addiction," Starcevic said.

"And it seems to us that these people seem to ... have other mental health issues, and it seems excessive video game playing is a manifestation of these underlying problems."

The problem gamers were found to be more likely to be socially isolated, have a higher risk of depression and be more prone to compulsive behaviour.

Starcevic said just over 70% of the problem gamers were playing for more than four hours daily.

They also reported cases of playing for longer than they planned, and at times when they "did not want to and despite knowing they should not".

The results were presented recently at the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists' Congress currently underway in Adelaide; hopefully the full report will be made available so we can dissect it later. Are YOU addicted?

KNetWalk

Simple puzzle game, but I can still see it when I go to sleep.

Is that bad?

Whats new?

They have not shown that computer games are bad for you, just that a lot of sad f***s tend to play them. Probably because they had to play against ME!

Or with me...

But yes, sometimes I play longer than I should because I don't want to let the team down. I am like that with project work and other group activities, so it's nothing to be concerned about. Sometimes it might be about me wanting a win or to achieve something, but that is just healthy determination.

KNetWalk

Simple puzzle game, but I can still see it when I go to sleep.

Is that bad?

ahaha I still remember in like 93-94 when I used to play Doom 24/7. I used to close my eyes going to sleep and I'd see the little Doom marine dudes running around corners. For f***ing real. It was really creepy.

Of course after that it just got worse; I used to strafe out of lifts. Now I see hunters pouncing everywhere.

These guys at my school go around playing counterstrike.

Literally.

"And it seems to us that these people seem to ... have other mental health issues, and it seems excessive video game playing is a manifestation of these underlying problems."

At least the blame is going the right way.

I blame the government.

In all honesty, gamers get addicted to games because it fits their psychological profile. As introverts, usually it is an easy way to reduce the challenge of socialising with people (which introverts loath) at the same time getting a particular level of social interaction.

Because the games are so satisfying and convenient the feedback loop is very tight and frequent. I can understand why computer games and online culture in general is addictive.

last edited by infi at 21:08:03 27/May/09

I gave up gaming cause I just couldn't focus on them so I'm huzzah for me... I also started exercising which is >>> gaming.

</life-story>

They also reported cases of playing for longer than they planned, and at times when they "did not want to and despite knowing they should not".

Funny, i work longer then what i planned despite knowing i shouldn't and not wanting to, damn work addiction

Why does the University of Sydney waste their time? Honestly, we have so many problems with alcoholics and drug addicts and they focus on people with no life who are never going to cause any trouble because they never leave their house?

Sick of people making $$$ from saying something is bad for you. hell if we listened to everything thats bad for us, what would i be doing right now? masturbation bad... drinking bad... computer games bad... over working your self bad.... smoking bad... steak bad... chicken bad... potatos bad... meat pies bad...

I for one can vouch as an eye witness on the additional drain on the Electricity Grid by WoW lusers...

I consider myself to be dedicated gamer but i reckon i'm far from being an introvert and/or addict.

I'm juggling full time work, part time study, family, friends, indoor soccer, gym and even the spiritual aspects of my life on top of my mandatory daily 2-3 hours of gaming/internet time and i'm managing just fine.


But hey, not everyone can reach self-actualization like i can :O

I'm a professional online video gaming superstar and I see this addiction all the time. Thing is, even if you put in the hours you still are going to struggle to top the K-D ratio when I'm on the scoreboard.

I blame the government.

In all honesty, gamers get addicted to games because it fits their psychological profile. As introverts, usually it is an easy way to reduce the challenge of socialising with people (which introverts loath) at the same time getting a particular level of social interaction.

Because the games are so satisfying and convenient the feedback loop is very tight and frequent. I can understand why computer games and online culture in general is addictive.

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http://www.ausgamers.com/images/sigs/10027559.png

I'm one of the twelve I reckon ~

As icewyrm said, at least they have it sorted right.

+1 for the depressionaholics

Addiction exists in everything, it shouldn't be suprising that it also exists in gaming. I'm a complete workaholic, it's not great.

So its bad that I got a job to support the ability to play video games? Would I be more healthy if i were to get a job just for the sake of having one?

Would it be better if i substituted video games with TV or random other hobby?

As far as I'm concerned, until I have kids I see nothing unhelthy in videogames being the major driving force behind my work my study and my life. Sure i have other goals but they are in the distance for when games become less relevant to me.

"Most people who play video games are not problem video game players, to put it in simple terms, they're not addicted to video games.

So basically, what they concluded, is that most gamers don't have a problem, but some get addicted.

... This is new information how?!

I reckon it's bulls*** to say that games themselves are addictive. I've had the same sort of effect from a book as a game. I spend every bit of free time I have to read a bit more and look forward to it when I don't have free time, I spend longer then I wanted to reading at times making excuses like, "just 1 more chapter" and put off socialising to get in more reading time.

The difference is really that the book has an end and a lot of these multiplayer games don't. I think it's more the desire to be entertained then anything else and to try and put gaming in the same realm as Alcoholism or any other real addiction is counter productive.

And don't 1 in 5 people suffer from depression? If only 1 in 12 gamers are suffering from depression then maybe it helps more then it hinders.

How many people are addicted to TV? Imagine taking away TV - you'd hear the howls of outrage echoing around the nation.

Playing games > Mindlessly watching the idiot box.

People are addicted to anything! TV, messaging, facebook, twitter, reading, collecting stamps. The fact is, anyone who has a hobby they really love will spend a lot of time thinking about it. If people have an addictive or introversive personality they are going to find a medium to sate that trait. If it's not games it will be books or TV or some of the more deranged pastimes history has shown us. At least computer gaming now has a decent online community and video/voice are starting to come more into play so people will be part of a community

I only think it's a problem if you start shunning loved ones and skipping work to play games. Once it starts having a significantly detrimental effect on your lifestyle or of those around you then it's an addict. I bet one in 12 people weren't like that.

And kudos to Raider's post. I work long hours and work when I know I should be home with my kids so dammit I must be a work addict too. Some nights when I'm particularly busy at work,I even dream about work. lol

Playing games > Mindlessly watching the idiot box.

Funny that, because while you're playing your playstation you're still actually watching TV.