As many as one in 30 computer game players have symptoms similar to those of gambling and drug addicts, psychologists say.
Gaming formed such a large part in the lives of three per cent of gamers in a study that they missed meals and went without sleep to spend more time playing.
They suffered withdrawal symptoms and had difficulties cutting back on their hobby, and were found to be more introverted, emotionally unstable and have lower self esteem than average.
Psychologists, presenting the research at the British Psychological Society conference in Dublin yesterday, said gaming addicts had personality traits similar to people with Asperger’s syndrome.
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), cover a range of developmental disorders that impair the ability to interact socially and communicate, including more severe cases of “classic” autism and milder forms including Asperger's.
Estimates of the numbers of children with ASDs vary from 0.6 per cent to 1.2 per cent of the UK population.
Lead researchers Dr John Charlton, of the University of Bolton, said: “Our research supports the idea that people who are heavily involved in game playing may be nearer to autistic spectrum disorders than people who have no interest in gaming.”
“Our analysis show that personality characteristics tend to become more negative as group membership increasingly approximates to addiction.
“We found the people who were addicted were less emotionally stable or neurotic, and generally more anxious, had lower self esteem.
“At the extremes these are personality characteristics associated with Asperger’s syndrome.”
A group of 391, 86 per cent of whom were male, people who played an online fantasy role-playing game called Asheron’s Call completed personality questionnaires.
They were also assessed for measures associated with addiction such as whether they experienced withdrawal symptoms such as agitation when not playing, inability to cut down, and whether they missed sleep or meals to play.
Overall three per cent of the gamers were defined as being so addicted that their lives suffered as a result of their hobby.
The more addicted they were, the higher they scored for introversion, emotional instability and low self esteem – all traits described by the researchers as associated with Asperger’s.
Dr Charlton suggested those who found computer games to be taking over their lives should see their GPS or possibly seeking counsellings.
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There right ,on no, what am i going to do.
i'm addicted.im emotional unstable,and oh my god, am i neurotic
OK
thanks dr. ill take 2 of these a day. if that dont work ill take 3 of these.Then if i still need to play video games ,ill come back and you can give me some more pills to take.
I needed this this morning.I fill better
every one have a good day and have fun.
CoFree
