Am I addicted to computer games? How can I overcome it?

[Justin_Bailey]

@JustinC

I’m not aware of young men dying from reading too much, or watching too much tv, or other hobbies/activities where they might forget to sleep. They die from too much drugs, driving too fast, too much drink or a combo of the above. I get that driving too fast is probably the result of a mental disorder, drink/drugs are addictive, so ‘technically’ video game playing would be more along the lines of driving recklessly than a drug, but there are psychological addictions as well as physical. Maybe we’re just arguing about semantics?

Driving too fast is the result of a mental disorder? What?

[Randy_Seltzer]

@SC2Maar

What would you suggest to someone like me?

What video game do you play the most? The practical advice differs based on what type of game it is.

For example, if your main problem is an MMORPG like World of Warcraft (as is usually the case), then there are various well-worn strategies to help you quit or cut down on your playing time. Whereas if your biggest problem is Call of Duty, Angry Birds, or online poker, those strategies won’t be as effective and a different approach will be needed.

[JustinC]

@Justin_Bailey

Driving too fast is the result of a mental disorder? What?

Speed usually means going too fast for the prevailing conditions, and is a reflection of the driver’s judgement. Cognitive errors, perceptual problems, misinterpretation of the actions of other road users, looking but not seeing, inattention and distractibility are the major human errors (Sabey, 1999). As can be seen, therefore – alcohol aside – cognitive or psychological difficulties are the major causes of accidents.