Over the past few years, several people have died while playing video games, most notably StarCraft and now World of WarCraft. One man became dehydrated while playing StarCraft for several consecutive days and died because of that, and a small girl in South Korea was neglected by her parents while obsessively playing World of WarCraft, and she too died as a result. These are just several unfortunate stories that have defined the newly coined “video game obsession” that medical professionals are just beginning to study, and World of WarCraft addicts are at the top of that research.
Comparison
World of WarCraft addiction is comparable to other forms of addiction in certain individuals. While most people certainly don't have any trouble with this popular game, a very small number literally become addicted to it. If they are away from the game, they express withdrawal symptoms. They become irritable and anxious to get back to the game. Currently, they are believed to have deeper psychological issues which set them up for addiction in the first place, and the games themselves can hardly be blamed for causing only a few dozen people out of many millions to become addicted.
Other symptoms of World of WarCraft addiction can be seen when school aged children and young adults start missing class regularly and completely avoid homework, although it's important to avoid mistaking World of WarCraft addiction for depression, although the two may be linked. The best thing that friends and family can do for the suffering individual is to seek help for them if they believe them to be suffering from this addiction, as the first and foremost goal is to restore all addicts to what can be called for all intents and purposes a normal, healthy life.
Death caused by World of WarCraft addiction is admittedly only a small chance for those addicted, which is itself a very small percentage of players, but addicts are still unable to function properly in everyday life. Things like school, work, and hygiene will suffer or be completely forgotten, and sleep is the first aspect of life that will likely be infringed upon. While psychologists and other medical professionals are just beginning to study the causes and effects of World of WarCraft addiction (and addiction caused by other video games as well), many hospitals are beginning to develop programs to cope with this addiction and get those suffering from addiction back into a healthy lifestyle. If any of your family or friends are suffering from video game addiction, it would be preferable to contact a psychologist as soon as possible.
Comparison
World of WarCraft addiction is comparable to other forms of addiction in certain individuals. While most people certainly don't have any trouble with this popular game, a very small number literally become addicted to it. If they are away from the game, they express withdrawal symptoms. They become irritable and anxious to get back to the game. Currently, they are believed to have deeper psychological issues which set them up for addiction in the first place, and the games themselves can hardly be blamed for causing only a few dozen people out of many millions to become addicted.
Other symptoms of World of WarCraft addiction can be seen when school aged children and young adults start missing class regularly and completely avoid homework, although it's important to avoid mistaking World of WarCraft addiction for depression, although the two may be linked. The best thing that friends and family can do for the suffering individual is to seek help for them if they believe them to be suffering from this addiction, as the first and foremost goal is to restore all addicts to what can be called for all intents and purposes a normal, healthy life.
Death caused by World of WarCraft addiction is admittedly only a small chance for those addicted, which is itself a very small percentage of players, but addicts are still unable to function properly in everyday life. Things like school, work, and hygiene will suffer or be completely forgotten, and sleep is the first aspect of life that will likely be infringed upon. While psychologists and other medical professionals are just beginning to study the causes and effects of World of WarCraft addiction (and addiction caused by other video games as well), many hospitals are beginning to develop programs to cope with this addiction and get those suffering from addiction back into a healthy lifestyle. If any of your family or friends are suffering from video game addiction, it would be preferable to contact a psychologist as soon as possible.
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