Dangerous Addiction or Innocent Game?

[HeDiedxILive]

Recently, I have been playing VMK for hours at a time.

Yesterday while I was playing, I felt the "call of nature" but continued playing anyway, without taking a simple 2-minute break.

A good while later, the problem had escalated and I began to feel awful pains in my stomach. I finally gave in and dashed up the stairs to my bathroom, used it, and dashed back down the stairs only to realize I had been disconnected.

Sometimes I worry myself. If I keep negelecting my normal bodily functions because of a computer game, I am in big trouble.


Can anyone else relate?

 

[ElectricLime]

I'm guessing you haven't played World of Warcraft yet.

 

[JeanJoe]

...snip...If I keep negelecting my normal bodily functions ...snip...

Just call it me, but this is an example of More Than I Needed To Know

 

[threeboysmom]

Sorry, Be, but yeah, I've been there, done that too!! I also forget to eat, neglect my kids, forget to cook (who needs dinner anyways?), forget I even have kids.... LOL!

I vote it is a dangerous addiction for me. And Blue would WHOLEHEARTEDLY agree with that statement....

Hey, at least I can admit it!

 

[Empare]

I'm guessing you haven't played World of Warcraft yet.

LOL! Now that is an addiction. I had my husband remove it from the computer and give the game away! We were both really into it. It's a fun game don't get me wrong but I could play for hours on end.

 

[jazstar87]

LOL, i was that way with the sims, for some reason could stop playing, now it is like that for vmk...My parents aren't pleased...

Which i sould stop saying stuff about addictions, they like to snoop around the dis reading my posts, they have no idea what they are missing....

 

[HeDiedxILive]

I'm guessing you haven't played World of Warcraft yet.

No, I haven't. Is the addiction that bad? Like, VMK bad?

It's a good thing the game isn't open 24 hours a day. I would neglect sleep...

 

[SeaSpray]

As much as CapeCAD and I enjoy VMK we are definitely not addicted to it. Then again, all of this online game playing and chat stuff is *very* old news to us; we've both been online for well over 13-14 years now.

I think the OP makes a valid point here though; many people do get addicted to the internet and online games.

I've had to keep an eye on my DS15 to make sure he doesn't stay up too late on his computer. He's an Honors student though, and his grades are still excellent, so I'm able to gauge his online time, to a degree, by that (in other words, if a person's grades or other important things in life start to slip, that'd be a huge red warning flag), and he still spends time with friends, playing music, etc. but some nights (weekends) I'm tempted to pull the plug on him. lol

But not taking a break to use the bathroom... yikes! lol If I ever found out that my DSs were addicted to the internet/computer games to the point that they wouldn't get up from their desks to use the bathroom, in all seriousness, I would remove the computers from their rooms for a while, so they could get back in touch with the real world.

 

[HeDiedxILive]

Yes, well... I think I've learned my lesson.
Now I am being distracted from VMK by the Dis!

 

[tigressjewel]

Just call it me, but this is an example of More Than I Needed To Know

Was thinking the same thing actually.. can anyone say TMI?
I haven't been on vmk yet today, but I have been working on my new signature for a couple of hours. I prefer to call it a hobby though, not an addicition.

 

[Dis-Wiz]

It is very hard to not get addicted at my house. My whole family plays VMK! So when I am on VMK for a long period of time, my parents understand, and don't hackle me like I can image some parents would. Though I am not on VMK nearly enough to call it addiction.

I did a research paper on online addiction in my health class last year, so I know the signs of becoming addicted. When I notice that I am neglecting certain things, such as homework, then I know that I need to take a break. I guess there is a point to research papers....

 

[Loves Disney]

Nope, I am certainly far from being addicted to vmk. I don't even really have interest in the game much anymore. I suppose as things start getting busier around the house and at school and as the weather improves (I'm loving the warmer weather coming in!) I find myself doing more other things to occupy my time.

Of course, my family would argue that I am ALWAYS on the computer playing vmk or reading the dis. They would only be 1/4 correct. I can admit to being on the computer for a great deal of time but I am hardly playing vmk anymore and I only check on the Dis every so often while I am here by my computer. The time I spend typing away, is time I spend writing either journalistic stories for my class, working on other equally important assignments, or just writing for the sake of being creative. (I find it easier to type a paper or any sort rather than writing it because I type faster than I write and it allows me to say exactly what is running through my mind...however, I LOVE the good old pen and paper!!!!) ANYWAY, that is getting off-topic.

I am very much new to this whole online gaming thing as well as being more active in the internet (before last summer, I very, VERY rarely went on the internet. I would only use the internet for class assignments. If I ever got to the point of neglecting life...I would stop on a moment and never return to the internet! LOL. I am such a "carpe diem" type of girl, so I would never let it get to that point lol.

 

[Dragonlord11_7]

I would call this addiction an... "Innocent addiction", as long as it has taken it's toll as bad as mine... I have isomnia now because of VMK... (Isomnia is restlessness)

SeaSpray, I couldn't agree more with you. My parents should follow your example... They DO let me enjoy my few precious moments on my laptop, but once in a while they have to remind me I have a life outside of the DIS and VMK... Also, seeing as they believe straight "A"s is the road to a scholarship, I have to remind them I go to a catholic school and they do give out scholaships not solely for the reason of grades, but also leadership (which I really want, and have a bright future for), compassionship, and other christian qualities.

In short, do I think addictions like this are bad? No, but I think parents should have the right to lower your online time if you have falling grades. This helps, because us kids are prompted to work harder in school. (Believe me, I have worked the bones off my fingers typing five page long reports while I only have a two-page minimum.)

 

[Disney Dreams]

Have never been hooked to anything before like I am to this. Not sure why, but it is definitely addictive.

I'm guessing you haven't played World of Warcraft yet.

My husband has been a subscriber for two years! His friends have all joined. That game is truly the devil. He just cannot play it enough, they talk about it when not playing, and it is just cheap enough that it is not a huge cut in the budget.

I never understood until I discoved vmk.

We have a great marriage, but I swear to you - there we are on an evening at home with both laptops on the coffee table - me vmking and he Warcrafting (or WoWing, if you know the game).

Me: "Time for dinner?"
He: "Not yet. I am in a battle."
(Hour and a half later)
He: "Battle is done. Ready for dinner?"
Me: "Can't. Just got in queue for staff event."

The one major difference: WoW never closes. Guess what he is doing now?

Now - serious note - There have actually been studies done on the brain waves, chemicals, etc... that take place in the brain when someone plays these multi-player on line games. The study I read included three games, one being World of Warcraft.

They found that after continous play for over some very large number of hours, the chemicals in the brain and the waves triggered, etc... resembled that of someone addicted to cocaine. Whereby showing the addictive nature of the game is actually physiological, not just psychological.

I found that fascinating.

 

[Kingsfoil]

Well you could always do what i do.

Jungle cruise,
you could have made an extra 20 credits and probably not dc'd ...
There is actully quite a lot you can accomplish while nedding.

 

[threeboysdad]

It is very hard to not get addicted at my house. My whole family plays VMK! So when I am on VMK for a long period of time, my parents understand, and don't hackle me like I can image some parents would. Though I am not on VMK nearly enough to call it addiction.

I did a research paper on online addiction in my health class last year, so I know the signs of becoming addicted. When I notice that I am neglecting certain things, such as homework, then I know that I need to take a break. I guess there is a point to research papers....

Please email me a copy of your paper! I would love to read it... and Threeboysmom is correct... I am concerned and have noticed that she has become addicted to on line chat in the form of VMK.... She does nothing else with her free time now... It gets a little embarassing all the time when people say "what's kim doing?" and I have to say "uh she is at home on the internet..." Honey? Does this mean I can move my hobby table up to the game cave and put your scrapbooking stuff in the attic?

Edit: I should have mentioned that we both are a bit obsessive compulsive and can tend to get "hooked" easily...

The scary thing about an addiction is that you find ways to justify it...
I need this...
They are my friends...
It's just fun and there is nothing wrong with it...

How do you REALLY know the difference between and addiction or obsession and a hobby?

That old story about putting a frog in cold water on the stove is soooooo true...

 

[nmudisneyfan]

Recently, I have been playing VMK for hours at a time.

Yesterday while I was playing, I felt the "call of nature" but continued playing anyway, without taking a simple 2-minute break.

A good while later, the problem had escalated and I began to feel awful pains in my stomach. I finally gave in and dashed up the stairs to my bathroom, used it, and dashed back down the stairs only to realize I had been disconnected.

Sometimes I worry myself. If I keep negelecting my normal bodily functions because of a computer game, I am in big trouble.


Can anyone else relate?

Nope, when nature calls I answer.
I must say that I am not addicted to VMK. Sure, I enjoy getting on and hanging out with other DISers and my Zeta gals, but I don't have to do it everyday. Nor do I get all upset if I disconnect while on VMK, it doesn't bother me at all it I do. Sometimes, I'll sign back on, but other times I get distracted and go off and do like things, like washing the dishes or making my bed.

 

[kutekiley]

i play VMK everytime i get the chance.be it after school, i'd hurry through my homework but now that its summer i NEVER STOP PLAYING.i dont know if its an addiction or an obsession or whatever. but i get on every morning at opening and leave only when it closes.i eat when im hungry and stuff but i'll eat it in my room, and i always tell my mom i promise i'll do shores later....i do them, but VMK is still up on my computer. thats me.

 

[Dis-Wiz]

 

[HeDiedxILive]

That is amazing!