Whew! I thought I was in trouble.
Doctors backed away from a controversial proposal to designate video game addiction as a mental disorder. The move would have also paved the way for insurance coverage of video game addictions. (Oh great, another co-pay!)
While occasional use of video games is harmless and may even help with some disorders like autism, doctors said in extreme cases it can interfere with day-to-day necessities like working, showering or even eating. (OK, that is extreme.. we all need our showers!! I once played a board game with a bunch of friends for 3 days straight. Am I at risk now? And I must admit, one Friday night, many years ago, I started up a computer game, and suddenly, my back hurt, I was very hungry, and it was Sunday night!! That was freaky, but a one time deal.)
But addictive or not, too much time spent playing video games takes away from other important activities.
"The more time kids spend on video games, the less time they will have socializing, the less time they will have with their families, the less time they will have exercising," Kraus said. (On the other hand, those who have not socialized well anyway, would find this kind of escape a pleasant break from the day to day discomfort, wouldn't they?)
If you consider escape from reality for short bursts of time a disorder, we are all in a mess, but this article touches on the more extreme scenario, that for now, is being put on the back burner.
reuters.com is where the article is.
Doctors backed away from a controversial proposal to designate video game addiction as a mental disorder. The move would have also paved the way for insurance coverage of video game addictions. (Oh great, another co-pay!)
While occasional use of video games is harmless and may even help with some disorders like autism, doctors said in extreme cases it can interfere with day-to-day necessities like working, showering or even eating. (OK, that is extreme.. we all need our showers!! I once played a board game with a bunch of friends for 3 days straight. Am I at risk now? And I must admit, one Friday night, many years ago, I started up a computer game, and suddenly, my back hurt, I was very hungry, and it was Sunday night!! That was freaky, but a one time deal.)
But addictive or not, too much time spent playing video games takes away from other important activities.
"The more time kids spend on video games, the less time they will have socializing, the less time they will have with their families, the less time they will have exercising," Kraus said. (On the other hand, those who have not socialized well anyway, would find this kind of escape a pleasant break from the day to day discomfort, wouldn't they?)
If you consider escape from reality for short bursts of time a disorder, we are all in a mess, but this article touches on the more extreme scenario, that for now, is being put on the back burner.
reuters.com is where the article is.
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