Europe’s Video Games Clinic for Addicted Gamers
June 1, 2006 by Ingrid Diaz
Filed under Gaming
In a month, Europe’s first video games clinic will be opening its doors to game addicts everywhere. If you feel that video games are taking over your life, Smith & Jones are here to help.
The Dutch consultants appear to be aiming the clinic at young gamers, but we all know that there are plenty of adults who also need the therapy.
According to BBC news, ‘the consultancy is already seeing about a dozen “outpatient” youngsters each month who have both a drug and computer game addiction – but increasingly there are calls from youngsters who have gaming as their primary problem.
Not sure if you have a problem? Want to know if you do? Well, watch for these symptoms, as outlined by the kind folk over at HEXUS.gaming:
- Arthritis ridden fingers .
- Blank, expressionless stare.
- The inability to stand up for more than 5 minutes.
- Lack of social skills.
- Poor concentration.
- Lying to family about how long you’ve been playing a video game.
- Obsessing and pre-occupied about being on the computer or console, even when not playing.
- Fantasy life on-line replaces emotional life with partner.
- Calling in sick to work on the launch day of a new game.
- Failure to eat regularly or at all
- Lack of personal hygiene – why wash or even get dressed when there are games to be played?
- Hundreds of friends, all of which you have never met.
- You fancy Lara Croft.
Mm. Well, I’m off to check myself in at the clinic. I’m sure there’s already a waiting list.
Hope I can check my WoW auctions from there…
(source)
I’m slightly guilty on this one – Calling in sick to work on the launch day of a new game.
I had called in sicked the day all my new computer parts arrived so I could assemble it and then play my new games.
Well I was going to make a smart arsed comment about you signing up (Ingrid not Matt), but you’ve taken the fun right out of that one now haven’t you? …
It’s all part of my plan to take the fun out of everything for you Cal.
Muahaha…
But since I’m a good hostess, next time I’ll let you make fun of me yourself. ;)
Thank you for your kind offer Ingrid, but that’s quite alright. :)
I have decided to take a new direction in commenting…
Oh? What direction is that?