Net Compulsives

The American Medical Association is preparing to recognise 'Internet/video game addiction' as a 'formal diagnostic disorder'.

This move would have wide ranging implications within the law as the ever-growing list of lawyers attempting to blame 'sick videogames' for crimes ranging from street robbery to mass murder, call on a medically-recognised disorder to bolster their defence. It will also inevitably lead to pharmaceutical companies coming out with a range of high-priced and pointless cures that can be dumped inside people. The proposal comes in the form of a 'Report Of The Council On Science And Public Health: Emotional and Behavioral Effects, Including Addictive Potential, of Video Games" chaired by Mohamed K. Khan, MD, Phd. Included in the report is the AMA's definition of a 'gamer': "A gamer is a term used to describe a person who plays games. Historically, a gamer was someone who played role-playing games or war games, but more recently the term has come to include computer and video game players. Although the term technically includes those who do not necessarily consider themselves gamers (ie, casual gamers), it is a commonly used colloquial term to identify persons who spend as much of their leisure time as possible playing or reading about games. Video gaming has traditionally been a social experience, and most video games are playable by more than one person. Multi-player video games can be played either competitively or cooperatively online by using multiple input devices, or by “hotseating

The American Medical Association is preparing to recognise 'Internet/video game addiction' as a 'formal diagnostic disorder'.

This move would have wide ranging implications within the law as the ever-growing list of lawyers attempting to blame 'sick videogames&#...

"Over a three-month period, he sent about 8,000 emails," he said. "On any one day, he was sending about 300, mainly to his girlfriend. He was texting

"Over a three-month period, he sent about 8,000 emails," he said. "On any one day, he was sending about 300, mainly to his girlfriend. He was texting every day, and probably spending £20 to £30 a week on texts." The problem came to light when one of the emails intended for his girlfriend was accidentally sent to work colleagues. He was put in touch with the trust by the union, but at a later stage resigned from his job rather than face disciplinary procedures, Mr Irvine said. The relationship ended, and much of the text and emailing problem ended with it. "It was related to the relationship difficulties he was experiencing," said Mr Irvine, who is seeing the teenager once a week. "In terms of an addiction, that isn't unusual - there are often underlying problems, problems at work, relationship problems, stress or not coping, or mental health difficulties. For him, it was all about gaining reassurance from his girlfriend, knowing where she was, and knowing what she was doing." Mr Irvine added: "He has been very successful in cutting down the texts and the emails. He is spending no more than £10 a week on texts, which is the goal we set, and he has cut down on the emails altogether."

"Over a three-month period, he sent about 8,000 emails," he said. "On any one day, he was sending about 300, mainly to his girlfriend. He was texting

"Over a three-month period, he sent about 8,000 emails," he said. "On any one day, he was sending about 300, mainly to his gi...