Excessive gaming now an illness - WHO

EmmetSpiceland

The WHO have come out and said that the type of “excessive” gaming is now to be considered an illness similar to other addictive “illnesses” such as gambling.

https://www.techradar.com/news/world-health-organization-officially-classifies-gaming-disorder-as-an-illness

I’ve long been of the opinion that these “immersive” games are not good for children. Hopefully now parents will sit up and listen. It’s time to turn off the computer and go outside for some exercise.

I can only suggest to the “grown ups” playing these games that they try to find help to get over this addiction. Sitting indoors staring glassy-eyed at the screen as day turns into night, and back to day behind the permanently closed curtains is no life.

My advice would be to take it slowly, try get outside for a walk. I mean, Rome wasn’t built in a day so I wouldn’t expect any obese adult to get running 5k straight off the bat. Diet would also play a part, crisps, jellies and chocolates should be cut out and replaced with fresh fruit and veg.

I know there may be a some backlash on here, considering the demographics of the “users” but you can’t argue with the WHO’s research. Also, before someone starts bleating about sports like soccer, GAA and rugby being “childish” just remember that they, at least, get people out of the house and interacting.

Oh, and they haven’t been classified as an “illness” by the WHO!

Greyfox

EmmetSpiceland wrote: »

I can only suggest to the “grown ups” playing these games that they try to find help to get over this addiction.

It's only a very small minority that get addicted and every good pastime has a minority that get addicted. Getting into a really immersive game and getting lost in the story is one of the best experiences in life, it's more enjoyable and rewarding then a great film or a great book. Obviously spending too much time gaming is a bad thing but we already know that. Everything in moderation, too much of anything is bad for you.

Boom_Bap

If only the parents would take their eyes off their phones and iPads to take notice of their kids.

Korvanica

EmmetSpiceland wrote: »

It’s time to turn off the computer and go outside for some exercise.

Sitting indoors staring glassy-eyed at the screen as day turns into night, and back to day behind the permanently closed curtains is no life.

Join Date: Mar 2019

Posts: 560

Maybe take your own advise there lad

scamalert

if only OP walked out outside, during his lunch that would been great, otherwise who gives a ****, bigger issues in this world to focus on.

branie2

I take a walk in the garden every day

TerrorFirmer

Gaming hasn't been classified as an illness. It's addiction that's been recognised.

I'm not sure what your post is trying to achieve. Tackle a recognized illness/chronic addiction by saying "Sure, open the curtains and get outside"?

Addiction, whatever the vice, is hardly that simple. That's like telling an alcoholic that it's time to put down the pint and go out for a walk.

Gaming isn't some weird, niche hobby, it's one of the biggest interests in the world. The vast majority of people who play games have normal, balanced lives, no course-correction is required.

One eyed Jack

EmmetSpiceland wrote: »

I know there may be a some backlash on here, considering the demographics of the “users” but you can’t argue with the WHO’s research.

It looks like you started the thread with the intent of winding people up, admitting that you expect a backlash but people can’t argue with the WHO’s research. Of course people can argue with the research.

I wouldn’t bother though as I stopped taking them seriously as a health organisation when they removed gender identity disorders from the mental disorders category and moved them to the sexual health category for political reasons. They then became known to me as the World Political Organisation.

Their latest stunts include promoting vegan politics, and now this shìte? How is anyone supposed to take them seriously as an independent organisation concerned with international public health? They’re a joke.

Korvanica

TerrorFirmer wrote: »

Gaming hasn't been classified as an illness. It's addiction that's been recognised.

I'm not sure what your post is trying to achieve. Tackle a recognized illness/chronic addiction by saying "Sure, open the curtains and get outside"?

Addiction, whatever the vice, is hardly that simple. That's like telling an alcoholic that it's time to put down the pint and go out for a walk.

Gaming isn't some weird, niche hobby, it's one of the biggest interests in the world. The vast majority of people who play games have normal, balanced lives, no course-correction is required.

Similar to saying "Just cheer up" to someone who has depression.

OP i sincerely hope noone you know suffers from any kind of mental illness if this is how you see them.

Hector Savage

Korvanica wrote: »

Join Date: Mar 2019

Posts: 560

Maybe take your own advise there lad

averages out at just under 7 posts a day ????

What advice?

kowloon

They're definitely addictive, like plenty of other past times, but they've crafted it to a fine art. They have the reward system figured out in some of the mobile games that people are able to spend thousands on them. As addictive as gambling but with none of the risk to the developers of having to make a big payout. Like everything else though, it's only a problem for the extreme cases. It just happens that the virtual world is becoming more interesting than the real one. Which is why I'm on the internet right now and not outside.

ILoveYourVibes

Greyfox wrote: »

It's only a very small minority that get addicted and every good pastime has a minority that get addicted. Getting into a really immersive game and getting lost in the story is one of the best experiences in life, it's more enjoyable and rewarding then a great film or a great book. Obviously spending too much time gaming is a bad thing but we already know that. Everything in moderation, too much of anything is bad for you.

Its true.

KSU

But I thought we were all being encouraged to do more sport

https://www.bbc.com/sport/olympics/46495396

EmmetSpiceland

Korvanica wrote: »

Join Date: Mar 2019

Posts: 560

Maybe take your own advise there lad

I didn’t realise boards.ie was a “game”. I post a handful of posts a day, mostly between the hours of 9-5. I don’t see anything wrong with that.

scamalert wrote: »

if only OP walked out outside, during his lunch that would been great, otherwise who gives a ****, bigger issues in this world to focus on.

I walk every day, weather permitting, on my lunch break.

TerrorFirmer wrote: »

Gaming hasn't been classified as an illness. It's addiction that's been recognised.

I'm not sure what your post is trying to achieve. Tackle a recognized illness/chronic addiction by saying "Sure, open the curtains and get outside"?

Addiction, whatever the vice, is hardly that simple. That's like telling an alcoholic that it's time to put down the pint and go out for a walk.

Gaming isn't some weird, niche hobby, it's one of the biggest interests in the world. The vast majority of people who play games have normal, balanced lives, no course-correction is required.

It would be a step in the right direction. I also suggested that the “gamers” suffering from this affliction should get help.

I never said it was a “weird, niche hobby” but when your life revolves around playing games for the majority of the day it’s just not healthy and should be addressed.

Anyway, it’s more the young people I’d be concerned about. I don’t think a lot of the older “gamers” will be hanging up theirs joysticks anytime soon.

topper75

Top Irish pscyh guy on the radio this morning decrying the move, claiming it is the underlying reason for the addictive behaviour that must be investigated.
He said there is a lot of research backing his opinion and I personally found him quite convincing.
Used a great analogy of someone with depression lying in bed all day. Suggesting that they were addicted to the bed would be laughable, but this is what WHO is claiming about gaming.
It is not an illness in itself as they are claiming.

kowloon

topper75 wrote: »

Top Irish pscyh guy on the radio this morning decrying the move, claiming it is the underlying reason for the addictive behaviour that must be investigated.

Seems sensible, sometimes the symptoms of the problem can vary. Addiction to gaming might be less harmful than substance abuse but they could stem from the same cause.

Guy:Incognito

branie2 wrote: »

I take a walk in the garden every day

Specifically the bit between the gate and the front door?

xckjoo

topper75 wrote: »

Top Irish pscyh guy on the radio this morning decrying the move, claiming it is the underlying reason for the addictive behaviour that must be investigated.
He said there is a lot of research backing his opinion and I personally found him quite convincing.
Used a great analogy of someone with depression lying in bed all day. Suggesting that they were addicted to the bed would be laughable, but this is what WHO is claiming about gaming.
It is not an illness in itself as they are claiming.

Wonder if it's the same thing that keeps us hooked to our phones.

JohnnyFlash

xckjoo wrote: »

Wonder if it's the same thing that keeps us hooked to our phones.

Probably is. Games are designed to be addictive, and have a reward structure that gets the old dopamine firing.

Boom_Bap

JohnnyFlash wrote: »

Probably is. Games are designed to be addictive, and have a reward structure that gets the old dopamine firing.

Similar to likes/thanks/shares/hearts on social media

DEFTLEFTHAND

Any snooker fans on here will know about Neil Robertson's intense battles with online gaming and trolling addiction. It nearly cost the man his career, wife and young child.

Shocking altogether. Away at snooker tournaments he'd be holed up in his hotel room trolling 'noobs' when all his colleagues would be practicing.

JohnnyFlash

DEFTLEFTHAND wrote: »

Any snooker fans on here will know about Neil Robertson's intense battles with online gaming and trolling addiction. It nearly cost the man his career, wife and young child.

Shocking altogether. Away at snooker tournaments he'd be holed up in his hotel room trolling 'noobs' when all his colleagues would be practicing.

It was cited as the main reason for marriage breakdown in over 200 divorce cases in the UK last year.

Bobblehats

DEFTLEFTHAND wrote: »

Any snooker fans on here will know about Neil Robertson's intense battles with online gaming and trolling addiction. It nearly cost the man his career, wife and young child.

Shocking altogether. Away at snooker tournaments he'd be holed up in his hotel room trolling 'noobs' when all his colleagues would be practicing.

Wasn’t it World of Warcraft?!

Wow. Just wow

sk8erboii

Can you get welfare for it?

screamer

Great, more ****e for employers to have to deal with.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

Excessive anything is an illness. All sorts of behavioural addictions out there.

And (based on the first few posts I read) people seem to think it only effects teenagers. Most certainly not the case.