CREDIT: ADDICTION-TREATMENT.COM
Video games can be fun in moderation, but when they start to take over your life, you just might be addicted.

Video games are a great way to pass the time and relax after a hard day at work or school. It's a way to temporarily let your mind relax and forget about the stresses of real life. I'm sure many of us have had a game that we were nearly addicted to at some point.

When I was growing up, any time I got a new game for my Nintendo 64, I would just spend hours trying to beat the next level, and I wouldn't be able to put down the controller until I did. Then, when I did make it to the next level, I had to keep going until the next level and so on. It was so easy to waste away my summers playing video games in my living room. Before I knew it, I'd look at the clock and my day was gone. I didn't see any of my friends or even talk to my family all that much. It was so easy to be consumed by the games. Don't get me wrong, video games can be great, but there needs to be a limit.

As much as it can be fun sitting and playing video games all day, it can lead to many different problems. First off, it can create social problems. Having a lack of real social interaction at a young age can lead to underdeveloped social skills, which could lead to more problems later on in life. For adults, video games can become all-consuming, causing people to neglect and put strain on the relationships in their lives. Also, the hours spent playing video games can lead to a lack of sleep, causing irritability and moodiness. These games can become addictive and extend to other problems like getting behind in school or work.

There are other consequences that go along with too much gaming aside from the social costs. There are physical problems that can go along with too much gaming, like carpal tunnel syndrome, insomnia, headaches and migraines, body aches, irregular eating patterns and poor hygiene. Spending such extensive periods of time sitting in the same position and staring at a screen can lead to serious health problems.

A website sponsored by CRC Health Group has put out some key signs to look for if you think that you or a friend is getting too involved and consumed in their video games.

- Lying about the amount of time spent playing video games.

- Spending increasing amounts of time playing video games to get the same levels of enjoyment.

- Withdrawing from friends, family or loved ones where it begins to disrupt family, social and work/school life.

- Experiencing feelings of anger, depressions or anxiety when you're not gaming.

- Thinking obsessively about gaming when you are doing other things.

These are just a few of the signs that maybe you or someone you know has taken their love of video games too far.

Video game addictions can be like any other addictions; they are serious and there are things to do to help someone who may be experiencing these issues. More information on this addiction and treatment can be found at video-game-addiction.org.
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.