How to you know if you’re addicted to video games?

Recently, I tried out a few games of Chess on the computer. However, I didn’t enjoy getting beat almost all of the time by the computer.

So, when I saw my grandchildren playing Hearts, I thought I’d try it. Years ago, I played Hearts with my friend from high school and her husband. They were very competitive and quite the card players.

In the last few days, I’ve been playing Hearts all the time. I’ve played 24 games and won five, a rate of 20 percent wins.

When I got up this morning, rather than checking my blog stats, the first thing I did was play Hearts. I’m not getting very much else done.

Am I addicted to video games?

Here are the top five signs you need help with gaming or Internet addiction from Video Game Addiction.com:

1. You feel really happy when you're online or when you're playing games, but as soon as you have to stop, you get angry or upset.
2. You think about going online or playing when you are supposed to be focusing on other things, like doing school work or having dinner with your family.
3. You spend more time with your keyboard or controller than physically hanging out with your friends.
4. Your friends or parents ask what you spend all your time doing, and you lie about it or laugh it off, but inside you know they may have a point.
5. You get up in the middle of the night to check your e-mail or your MySpace comments because you're having a hard time sleeping.

Well, I’m not in trouble yet with video games. However, I could be addicted to blogging…

See Video Game Addiction.com for other information about gaming and Internet addiction.

Copyright 2010, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Comments

[Things to do in York]

Oh! Well too much of everything is not good. Video games are good only for pastime :) And you are right you're not getting very much else done if this is the first thing you'll gonna do :D Its good that you have noticed this and you are not having much trouble yet.

[Ashen]

Video games are one of the most addictive things that are currently present in the market. It is difficult to find out whether or not you are addicted to video games. It is also very difficult for a person to come out of this addiction.

[Business Marketing Video]

Video games are becoming increasingly complex, detailed, and compelling to a growing international audience of players.

[A.J]

I sometimes play video games for a long period of time, my mother calls me addicted, but...I have a 3.7 GPA, I play sports and love outdoor activities. What I want to know is where the line is between addiction and enjoyment. Because I just think of gaming of a time consuming, but fun hobby.

[norbert]

No your not addicted and no matter what others say they are wrong. Just because you enjoy it doesnt mean your a addict. If your able to STOP playing with your own will then you are under control of yourself.

Most sites and "clinically proven" garbage is false, wana know if your addictive ask your self this: are you mad or depressed when your not playing it or other video games.

I for example play/watch anime for at least 10-15 hours a day but when its time to go PT (joining marine corp) i stop the moment a curtain time hits and im out the door. Also during vacations i dont even take my phone with me. I prefer camping and sports over any video game ever thats why im in process of joining marine corp.
So even playing a amount that is shocking it doesnt mean anything, i only play cause im bored or have nothing better to do (kills time, what else can kill 15 hours a day)