Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[South Korea increases counseling programs for compulsive gamers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/29/south-korea-increases-counseling-programs-for-compulsive-gamers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/29/south-korea-increases-counseling-programs-for-compulsive-gamers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/29/south-korea-increases-counseling-programs-for-compulsive-gamers/#commentsFiled under: ,

Stories of internet and gaming addiction in South Korea are, unfortunately, not that unusual. The South Korean government has been working with its teenagers for several years through counseling programs, and the success of these programs is shown in the decreasing numbers of teens showing symptoms of internet addiction.

While teens have been getting the help they need, another part of South Korean society has not -- those in their 20s and 30s. A series of tragic stories, like that of the 32-year-old man who died of exhaustion after a five-day gaming spree, has the government looking for a solution.

According to the New York Times, the South Korean government has "plans to open rehabilitation centers for adult addicts and expand counseling for students and the unemployed, groups considered the most vulnerable to compulsive gaming."

It's certainly a growing problem; psychiatrist Dr. Ha Jee-hyun says that he is currently treating an average of four adults a month for this problem, as opposed to one a month two years ago. Take a look at the New York Times article for the full story.

MassivelySouth Korea increases counseling programs for compulsive gamers originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 29 May 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>compulsive-gamingcounselinggaming-addictiongovernment-counselinginternet-addictionsouth-koreaSat, 29 May 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Chinese game addicts seek help in progressive Internet addiction centers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/10/chinese-game-addicts-seek-help-in-progressive-internet-addiction/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/10/chinese-game-addicts-seek-help-in-progressive-internet-addiction/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/10/chinese-game-addicts-seek-help-in-progressive-internet-addiction/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

As the Chinese race ahead to catch up with the West, they do so with the intent of creating better lives for themselves. The past several years have been characterized by rapid progression, but all those perks of modernization come with a price, which some of China's citizens are beginning to pay.

As incomes rise, so does the prevalence of the various maladies of modernization we've come to know well -- not limited to obesity, substance abuse, and addiction. While an addiction to a substance has a physiological aspect to it and is rarely disputed as a true addiction, non-material addictions to work, sex, and even shopping are on the rise in China. Such issues have been difficult to officially label as actual mental illnesses in the country. Others, like Internet addiction, have only recently been classified as such in China.

Continue reading Chinese game addicts seek help in progressive Internet addiction centers

MassivelyChinese game addicts seek help in progressive Internet addiction centers originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 10 Jan 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abuseaddictaddictionbeijingchinachristian-science-monitorgame-addictioninternetinternet-addictionjonathan-adamsmental-illnesspsychologySat, 10 Jan 2009 15:00:00 EST