
- Psychiatric Times Vol 24 No 8
- Volume 24
- Issue 8
Compulsive Gaming
From our Readers
I would like to voice my support for Dr Block's reluctance to label compulsive computer gaming an addiction in his article
When a patient complains that he or she feels "addicted" to an activity we should take this seriously. When a significant other uses the term it may be to attack or criticize. For professionals to label this activity "computer addiction" or "Internet addiction" is like referring to heroin addiction as syringe addiction. While there may sometimes be metaphorical utility in application of the concept of addiction to gaming or sexual gratification for which a computer or the Internet is little more than a conduit, the notion of addiction to an inanimate object, or even a network of such objects, betrays a lack of appreciation of both the term "addiction"and the behavior in question. Undeniably, compulsive gaming can have negative consequences, but success in this activity may be associated with development of complex skills, at least some of which can be transferred to real-life activities. In addition to the computer's role in the psychological life of the individual, a complete picture will only be revealed when its role in the family or social network is explored.
Dismissing compulsive gaming as an addiction serves neither patient nor psychotherapist.
Articles in this issue
about 18 years ago
The Brain That Changes Itselfabout 18 years ago
The Human Heart of Psychiatryover 18 years ago
Postpartum Depression Bill Likely to Move Forwardover 18 years ago
Clinical Manual of Geriatric Psychopharmacologyover 18 years ago
Violence Against Mental Health Professionals: A Reader Respondsover 18 years ago
Medication Discontinuation Difficult in First-Episode Schizophreniaover 18 years ago
Mental Illness on the Screenover 18 years ago
Keeping the Beatover 18 years ago
Faith in Psychiatryover 18 years ago
Shelter-Based Collaborative Mental Health Care for the HomelessNewsletter
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