General

I barely play games, way less than I used, ever since grade 11. Got more important things to worry about.

@Nashi: They sure are.

DSM-IV Criteria for Substance Dependence

A maladaptive pattern of substance use, leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by three (or more) of the following, occurring at any time in the same 12-month period:

1. tolerance, as defined by either of the following:
- a need for markedly increased amounts of the substance to achieve intoxication or desired effect
- markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of the substance
2. withdrawal, as manifested by either of the following:
- the characteristic withdrawal syndrome for the substance (refer to Criteria A and B of the criteria sets for Withdrawal form the specific substances)
- the same (or a closely related) substance is taken to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms
3. the substance is often taken in larger amounts or over a longer period than was intended
4. there is a persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control substance use
5. a great deal of time is spent in activities necessary to obtain the substance (e.g., visiting multiple doctors or driving long distances), use the substance (e.g., chain-smoking), or recover from its effects
6. important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of substance use
7. the substance use is continued despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem that is likely to have been caused or exacerbated by the substance (e.g., current cocaine use despite recognition of cocain- induced depression, or continued drinking despite recognition that an ulcer was made worse by alcohol consumption)

Specify if:
With Physiological Dependence: evidence of tolerance or withdrawal (i.e., either Item 1 or 2 is present)
Without Physiological Dependence: no evidence of tolerance or withdrawal (i.e., neither Item 1 nor 2 is present)

@Omegathorion: but then addictions in general are a disorder o.O

Not addicted to games. Addicted to internet.

[quote=Nashi]I don't think anyone treats video game addiction a "disorder", but simply an addiction.[/quote]
The latest version of the DSM, a compilation of psychological disorders, has opened the possibility of adding internet gaming disorder to its list in its most recent version (DSM 5).

http://www.dsm5.org/Documents/Internet%20Gaming%20Disorder%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf

[quote=Keane]My brother is addicted to LoL. Is there a cure for him?[/quote]
Would you try to cure someone who's addicted to playing basketball?

I don't think anyone treats video game addiction a "disorder", but simply an addiction. I guess that some places do treat it though it's rather rare, after all it came to attention that people get addicted to games as well as internet - and the old one: Gambling.

Personally I used to be addicted, now I just enjoy playing occassionally when I got the nerve for it. It's not a must or a need but it's something I like to do.
I've been playing MUCH more since I got my PSP, before that I hardly had anything to keep me entertained so I spent my time listening to music, reading Manga or being on Basil
Now I'm busy playing FFVIICC, Locoroco, Lumines II etc. I can hardly get to play though cause I got appointments nearly every day right now.

Video games are fine but playing several hours DAILY is imo already kind of at the verge of addiction, ESPECIALLY when you can't go a day or two (or more) without it.

i can't really play a game for too long in one sitting
otherwise i'll lose interest.

[quote=Keane]My brother is addicted to LoL. Is there a cure for him?[/quote]

I'm sorry for your loss.

I'm not addicted to video games, they are just a good source of entertainment for me. I'm not going to say something like "I can stop whenever I want" because I don't want to stop playing games, that would be boring lol. I'm sure someone is going to say "just hang out with friends" but guess what we do when we hang out. That's right we play games lol.

Not trying to bash on you or anything, but you should tone down those 3-4 hours to 2 hours.

[quote=Omegathorion]I actually just wrote a psychology paper about internet gaming disorder.

With that said, I have a question: for those of you who think they might even slightly be addicted to video games, which video game?[/quote]

lol. I've done a project about video games and how they harm you. It's only when you actually suffer of epilepsy or anything that's written in the safety booklet.
They're also bad only if you make it a priority to play, as in like, wake up, think about playing that game. Wow.. my project is a few words.

I actually just wrote a psychology paper about internet gaming disorder.

With that said, I have a question: for those of you who think they might even slightly be addicted to video games, which video game?

@Keane : If there are any, it's not intentional or didn't notice.

Or when you don't have plans, that's fine. But then over here, not having any plans is suddenly bad and playing video games suddenly makes you retarded and distracted.

I play games when I don't have any plans.

Which is everyday for the past 8 years.

I wouldn't say they distract from my real life, but I do play games for an extended period of time (6+ hours a day).

Vidya = video..

And because I angri