by Raven Lebeau

Created on: January 05, 2008

Video game "addiction" is as much a problem as drug addiction or alcoholism. In other words, it is not a problem at all, but merely a result of a fundamental dissatisfaction with one's life. By focusing on the means by which a person escapes his or her problems, we fail to address the problems themselves. These problems are without exception external and correctable, so it is tragic indeed that we blame the "addict", punishing him with insults and emotional abuse.

I never wanted to be an actuarial. I have severe adult ADHD and hate doing tedious calculations. When my husband constantly pressured me to finish my masters degree so I could get a tedious, lucrative full time job, video games were an effective escape. When his emotional abuse continued, I had a full-blown mental collapse and he had a change of heart. With no pressure to work a full time job, I still enjoy games but they are only a small part of my life.

I have become interested in options and love researching trades. Even the calculations, the same sorts of calculations I could never handle in a job setting, are an acceptable activity. Because I do not have to spend countless hours fussing over the appearance of my spreadsheets or filling out forms to explain and document my work, the work itself is not so bad. The parts I enjoy, reading the news, making qualitative judgment calls, and adjusting positions to take advantage of sudden price fluctuations are enough to make up for the mild tedium incurred by calculations. Most importantly, I can work at my own pace and take breaks whenever I need to. I am not constantly under stress from having to interact with co-workers, and I have no paperwork since I work exclusively on the computer. By finding something I am actually interested in doing, I have relegated video games to their rightful place as a form of entertainment rather than a way of life.

Unlike alcohol or drugs, however, games can actually teach lessons and improve mental skills. When a person avoids responsibility by playing a game, he is exactly as productive as an alcoholic. However, unlike the alcoholic, the gamer is learning about life and about himself.

When I was at my worst, working nearly full time and totally suicidal, I went to a councilor who encouraged me to "do better". Of course this made me feel even worse. Here I am, feeling horrible because all I do is work hard at things I hate just so I can please others, and then he tells me I can "do better"? Deeply depressed, I ignored

• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next Page >>