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    Your Elvenar Team

Gaming disorder

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DeletedUser5800

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This conversation is over?
Sure, us going back and forth while neither will/can move is fairly pointless so I will leave you with this:
May you never have nor witness an experience that changes your mind.

Footnote: I like discussion and debate, I'll even on occasion tell someone they are blatantly wrong (especially where provable math is involved), but at the core of my belief is the one and single truth that we all live our lives within the boundaries of our own locked room. (A sum of our genetics and experience) From this room we have a unique perspective and interpretation of things that is only ours and no one else can ever have nor understand. This makes me above all attempt to abstain from critical judgment even when I really want to. Where I consistently fall short on this is when others are handing out judgment, triggers my eye for an eye reflex if you will, I judge them back, but somewhere along the way I remember they really don't have a choice either. No one does. :p
 

DeletedUser12423

Guest
Please do not take this lightly
Well, being completely outnumbered here, I still stand my ground. It could be 1,000 to 1. And one day, it may be. Soon, being normal or having faith will be considered a strange disorder...I don't know what to say that I already didn't say. On this disorder thing, it is serious, and I know it is dangerous. But its not playing games that is the problem, which is why this thread started. Addictive personality is the disorder and it can lead to addictions of anything you can think of. Playing games isn't the issue. I give up.

I actually found something even more rediculous then calling a hobby a disorder. That people actually believe it.
 

DeletedUser2959

Guest
I can agree with the notion that we tend to put too many bad behaviors under the umbrella of "illness", and then the bad actor can claim he's not a slacking irresponsible jerk, he has a "disease". But the same way we realize that gambling addiction is a problem I think we can agree that gaming addiction is. The difference comes with deciding if the bad actor is responsible for his actions or if he is a victim.
 

DeletedUser5800

Guest
I was never saying that there aren't loads of people that just play games too often, but I'm also not saying that there isn't a group that literally have no control over it for various reasons.
Addictive personality is the disorder and it can lead to addictions of anything you can think of.
That is valid, but gaming is in the list of things. If a person stops smoking crack but starts playing games 60 hrs a week instead, it's an equal problem that, yes, both have the same roots (whatever that may be) but this addiction or that do have root causes that are not just people making bad choices. No one ever said there wasn't a group just doing it because they can, just that there is also a group doing it because they can't stop.
 

SoggyShorts

Mathematician par Excellence
Remove God from school and what do you get? This sad generation who consistantly blames others for their life.
Let's not give teaching about your god credit or blame for how a generation behaves. There have been schools without religion for a very long time, without any evidence that faith based teachings are required for making better people.
Addictive Personality is a disorder. Sloth is a Sin, not a disorder. Addiction is a behavior, and finally, Playing Games is a Hobby. So unless you want tax payers to start flipping the bill for people that choose to play games rather then handle their responsibilities, This conversation is over?..............Addictive personality is the disorder and it can lead to addictions of anything you can think of. Playing games isn't the issue. I give up.
We know that emotions come from different levels of chemicals in the brain, and we know that substances and behaviours can alter those levels.
If you perform an action or take a substance often enough, those levels can be changed for extended periods, even after you stop the action.
The body(and mind) will desire to return to ideal levels, and this is what's called "cravings"
Furthermore your body naturally produces Dopamine, Serotonin, Endorphins and Oxytocin, but if you artificially add them, your natural levels can be reduced.

What would you say if I told you I know someone who had an addiction to chapstick? Sounds a little crazy, right? Like they just have a bad behaviour, and not an addiction? Wrong. It very much is an addiction. By repeatedly using chapstick that formed a moisture barrier, their lips stopped producing enough moisture on their own. This meant that they suffered from extremely chapped lips very quickly between applications, and a very slow and painful process of weaning themselves off was required. That constitutes an addiction.

It is no different than using cocaine to increase dopamine levels, and then feeling like crap when it wears off. Use it enough, and your body relies on it to raise those levels, and won't bother doing it on its own. This leads to addiction, where repeating the action is the easiest or even the only way to get those levels back to where your body wants them.

Obviously both applying chapstick and snorting coke are choices and behaviours, but that doesn't mean they can't lead to very real addiction.

Apply this knowledge to gaming. Video games, especially ones with an element of chance, are specifically designed to make you happy when you win. Why else would casinos work when everyone knows the house has an edge? Is it such a leap to think that some people may fall too deeply into this and become dependant on that chemical rush released by getting that unique drop from a boss in game, or getting a higher rank in some online shooter?
Elvenar is a very low energy game, more pretty than exciting, but just yesterday I figured out that after winning all my desired set buildings I still have enough keys to be guaranteed the 3rd GP. I felt myself grinning, and was pretty happy about an ultimately meaningless bunch of pixels. That grin was a shot of chemicals released into my brain. Multiply that by 1,000 fold for people who play action packed fast-paced competitive games for many hours as entertainment. Those spikes in chemical levels can lead to an imbalance over time.
Again, yes, playing games too much was a choice in behavior, but once your body becomes addicted to those chemical levels, the choice becomes less your own.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Your views on depression seem to be a little uninformed as well. I used to be of the old-school opinion that depression was BS, and everyone "gets sad" you just need to "get over it".
Then I met someone with clinical depression who was getting help through medication. At a social gathering two of us had the brilliant idea one night that if her depression pills make a depressed person normal, then for a normal person they'd make us super happy, right? Oh so wrong.
It turns out that her depression medication was about chemical balance, and when we messed up ours, we both got a real glimpse into what depression is. Thankfully we weren't alone and didn't hurt ourselves, but from how I felt for the next several hours, ending everything seemed like a better option than continuing on.
I hate that I can't better put into words how horrific an experience it was, like 10x the worst moment of grief over the death of a loved one that lasted for hours without diminishing, but for no reason, and I think that might have been the worst part. Because there was no external reason to be depressed, no event that had occurred, no trauma, nothing, there was therefore no reason to feel that it would ever end. There was nothing to "get over" there was no reason for it to get better, and desperately clinging to the idea that a pill is temporary, and the effects must eventually wear off was the only pinpoint of light in the darkness.
I can't even imagine what life is like for those who have depression as their normal state, but I can have empathy.
 
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DeletedUser12423

Guest
There have been schools without religion for a very long time, without any evidence that faith based teachings are required for making better people.
And there is much more evidence of the lack of faith making people much worse. Agree to disagree, but many good points my friend *salutes*
 

DeletedUser12423

Guest
lol Sog, you know I can't link the News Channels of the entire world! I want to play you chess, sometime, man ^ ^ I'm a knight player. I love those L's

Adding/Edited: I do agree about what you said concerning depression, that is real, and it can be fatal. I apologize for sounding like a jerk. Sometimes, I use the wrong words, or it just comes out wrong.
 
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SoggyShorts

Mathematician par Excellence
lol Sog, you know I can't link the News Channels of the entire world!
I'm glad you brought up the "entire world"
Countries like Norway, Iceland, Australia, Canada, Sweden, Switzerland, Belgium, Japan, the Netherlands, Denmark and the United Kingdom are among the least religious societies on Earth. According to the United Nations’ Human Development Report (2005) they are also the healthiest, as indicated by measures of life expectancy, adult literacy, per capita income, educational attainment, gender equality, homicide rate and infant mortality. Conversely, the 50 nations now ranked lowest in terms of human development are unwaveringly religious. Other analyses paint the same picture: The United States is unique among wealthy democracies in its level of religious literalism and opposition to evolutionary theory; it is also uniquely beleaguered by high rates of homicide, abortion, teen pregnancy, STD infection and infant mortality. The same comparison holds true within the United States itself: Southern and Midwestern states, characterized by the highest levels of religious superstition and hostility to evolutionary theory, are especially plagued by the above indicators of societal dysfunction, while the comparatively secular states of the Northeast conform to European norms. These facts prove that atheism is perfectly compatible with the basic aspirations of a civil society; they also prove, conclusively, that religious faith does nothing to ensure a society’s health.
 

DeletedUser12423

Guest
That information changes periodiocly, Sog, you know that. The same information today is much different then when we were kids, or when our grandparents worked to build our current country. Let's not forget that civilization would cease to exist if everyone only had sex with the same sex. Faith has always kept mankind from falling into the darkness. And that my friend, will never change. Faith is the only thing that will save this world when the nukes hit. Also, thank you for the information. I've learned alot from you, more then from Gems of Knowledge, for sure.

(Like the other gentlemen said, I would like your post if I could, but lounge doesn't let us)

Confusion comes from the gray area, the area between the light and dark. Confusion says wrong is right, and right is wrong. That just about anything can be a disorder, instead of what is causing the disorder. Or creating laws that force people to accept immoral and evil things. Jumbling all beliefs into one category, just to confuse people about what faith is. Or what it does to them to not have it.
 
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DeletedUser5800

Guest
Can we just get one freaking solar flare yet? o_O
upload_2018-1-3_22-39-4.png
 

DeletedUser12423

Guest
Then I met someone with clinical depression who was getting help through medication. At a social gathering two of us had the brilliant idea one night that if her depression pills make a depressed person normal, then for a normal person they'd make us super happy, right? Oh so wrong.
It turns out that her depression medication was about chemical balance, and when we messed up ours, we both got a real glimpse into what depression is. Thankfully we weren't alone and didn't hurt ourselves, but from how I felt for the next several hours, ending everything seemed like a better option than continuing on.
Now, see this is different then the example used in the start of this thread. Clinical Depression is real, and I honestly do not mind if some of my tax dollars went to helping true disibililities. So I don't want you to misunderstand what I said about gaming. Maybe I worded it wrong? Playing games is not the disroder, the disorder is having an Addictive Personality - and that can lead to an addiction of almost anything. So don't blame the game! That's what I meant.
 

SoggyShorts

Mathematician par Excellence
That information changes periodiocly, Sog, you know that. The same information today is much different then when we were kids, or when our grandparents worked to build our current country.
I'm not so sure about that. At what point in modern history (say the last few hundred years) have the more religious societies made more progress than the less religious ones? For arguments sake let's define "progress" as an increase in the average standard of living, if that suits you as well.
Let's not forget that civilization would cease to exist if everyone only had sex with the same sex.
1. Religion does not do a whole lot to stop people from having same sex relations(at least not in modern societies)
2. If religion instantly vanished, it wouldn't suddenly make everyone gay.
3. Even if 100% of humans were gay we have technology, and don't even need sex to procreate anymore.
Faith has always kept mankind from falling into the darkness. And that my friend, will never change. Faith is the only thing that will save this world when the nukes hit.
This sounds nice, but what does it mean?
 
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DeletedUser12423

Guest
At what point in modern history (say the last few hundred years) have the more religious societies made more progress than the less religious ones? For arguments sake let's define "progress" as an increase in the average standard of living, if that suits you as well.
Society has increasingly become immoral in the last 20 years, since the removal of God in our schools and the laws that have been written in this time period saying it is okay to do drugs and especially concerning things like same-sex marriage that even animals get right. Why that's so hard for some humans I will never know.
Religion does not do a whole lot to stop people from having same sex relations(at least not in modern societies)
Man shall not sleep with man - written over two thousands years ago
If religion instantly vanished, it wouldn't suddenly make everyone gay.
Religion can vanish, it is another creation of man. Do not confuse religion with faith. Faith is believing in God, not dressing up in some kult.
Even if 100% of humans were gay we have a neat little thing called technology, and don't even need sex to procreate anymore.
If at any point in time in history over 100 years ago, had all mankind been gay, we would not exist.

Replacing faith with technology is another good example of the Signs of the Times. But anyway, we strayed off topic, my friend. Most people do not agree with me, about Gaming not being a disorder. So I can't "win" the argument, anyway. And on that, I may just be wrong ^ ^
 
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HJK84

Well-Known Member
Talking from past and recent experiences. I believe this to be true.
The disorder that is.

Years ago, I was addicted to a online game, spent thousands on it. Although, I was held at the highest respect within that gaming community, due to my knowledge of the game, advancements and my help/advice to others and even the developer.
One of the breaking points was, when I realized my gf/future fiance (in those days...) was laying on my bed with lingerie and I was oblivious to the fact and just kept gaming, while talking to her about things but not even looking in her direction :oops:

Due to the game, I was promoted to mediator and part of the staff of that gaming community. Later down the road, miscommunication, favoritism, etc. I was stripped of it all. Which then led to me quitting the game and vowing to never spent such $ on a game again. Corrupted staff...

2 years ago, I started a free app game. I was one of the 1st to start playing it.
Similar to this one, but with PvP where FS', fought, back stabbed, lied, etc to be #1. All that time, my personal rank was ~ 3-15. I never partook in PvP though, cause I despise it. Every time I was up in top 3, ppl knock me down. In that game also, I was probably the 2nd most advanced in research, note I had accomplished all this without spending a cent.
Anywho, I finally got tired and quit.

As I've stated before, this game is similar but without the PvP, which is why I love it so. I have grown due to past experiences, and I was comfortable to spend some $ on this game. Because, as others stated, it bring me joy. And not because I'm depressed far from it. People should spend $ or do whatever brings joy to their lives, of course if this doesn't take away from another.

Some might say that I have a addiction to gaming, that I jumped from 1 to another. But it's simply untrue. The 1st game I mentioned was the only one. The rest where just something I/we enjoy doing.

Most who realize a addiction, can help fix the situation, if they want. The ones who do not, those Imo. are the ones who need help.
It's how I do what I do IRL, people who aren't ready and willing for a change, a change not pressured onto them, but of their own realization, that's when they can be helped.
Sadly most of these addiction issues, have medications and "useless" cures or whatever you want to call them tied to it. Sad.

My my, I've said alot about myself :eek:
Hopefully I didn't go much off topic, but I did see some talks about religion and that whole mumbo jumbo lol, so I think I'm ok.
Good thread.

Yeah, I totally agree my friend!

I think that's what the others were trying to explain to me, but I was listening with closed ears and an iron heart. I'm realizing that now.

:)

Nah, communication from 1 to another differs, due to... well so many things, haha, not going to get into it.
Sometimes a stern, but respectful slap to the face (figure of speech) is what some need. I've realized this in life.
 
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DeletedUser12423

Guest
People should spend $ or do whatever brings joy to their lives, of course if this doesn't take away from another.
Yeah, I totally agree my friend!
Most who realize a addiction, can help fix the situation, if they want. The ones who do not, those Imo. are the ones who need help.
I think that's what the others were trying to explain to me, but I was listening with closed ears and an iron heart. I'm realizing that now.
 

SoggyShorts

Mathematician par Excellence
Society has increasingly become immoral in the last 20 years, since the removal of God in our schools
How do you come to this conclusion? Other it becoming more widely accepted to love whomever you love, what morals do you think have changed?
Man shall not sleep with man - written over two thousands years ago
Yes, the bible does have a line about man lying with man but there's more:
  • Eating a cheeseburger or anything that mixes meat and dairy (Exodus 23:19).
  • Eating leavened bread (bread with yeast) during the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Exodus 12:15).
  • Eating fat (Leviticus 3:17).
  • Eating pork (Leviticus 11:7–8).
  • Eating aquatic creatures lacking fins or scales (Deuteronomy 14:9–10).
  • Eating any meat not killed according to the Kosher practice (Deuteronomy 12:21).
  • Being a male who is not circumcised (Genesis 17:14).
  • Breaking the Sabbath (Exodus 31:14, Numbers 15:32–36).
  • Performing any work on the Sabbath (Exodus 20:10).
  • Planting more than one kind of seed in a field (Leviticus 19:19).
  • Wearing clothing woven of more than one kind of cloth (Leviticus 19:19).
  • Cutting the hair on the sides of your head or clipping of the edges of your beard (Leviticus 19:27)
Now before you dismiss any of these as Old testament, don't forget
Jesus did not explicitly say the old laws were now invalid, on the contrary, Jesus endorses Mosaic Law in Matthew 5:18, where he says, "For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished."
I've never understood why some religious people are so focused on the one mention of sexual rules but don't judge people for eating cheeseburgers (mixing dairy and meat) or wearing a cotton poly blend (clothing of 2 kinds of fabrics)
Religion can vanish, it is another creation of man. Do not confuse religion with faith. Faith is believing in God, not dressing up in some kult.
I don't understand how you can seperate faith and religion, but then use the bible for justifying your judgement of peoples sexual orientation.
If I'm confused, it's because you are confusing lol.
 
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