Video Game Addiction

SILVER SPRING, Md. (WUSA) -- We all know people can become addicted to gambling, but now, a new study says young gamers can be just as addicted to video games. The study found nearly 8.5% of young gamers were addicted, or pathological gamers.

"There's the lights, there's this score at the top that continue to flash, " says Psychiatrist Dr. Abby Morris.

She is not surprised by the study's findings. The video games are a lot like slot machines, she says.

"You start the game, there are lights, the noise, and win, it flashes. You get the response and reward."

And the reward, she says, stimulates endorphins in the brain, making the addicted gamer want more and more; just like with gamblers.

The study was conducted by researchers at Iowa State University and the National Institute on Media and the Family.

To determine if the kids were pathological gamers, they had to display six of eleven symptoms including lying about how often they play video games, becoming restless or irritable when attempting to stop playing, and skipping homework to play video games.

Rockville gaming center X30 Vice President Nicholas Fitzsimmons says it's not the video game that's the problem, "I think that the games can be addictive, but so can any form of entertainment. If you do it in moderation, you should be OK.

He agrees with the doctor that parents need to be involved with their kids and set limits for them. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents limit their children's 'screen' time to under two hours a day.

Dr. Morris says if you think your child is really addicted to video games, you should seek professional help for them.