[Shyguy88]

hi everyone, its been awhile since i was last on this site, so hi everyone. I turned 21 years old couple months ago and for the past year I been playing world of warcraft to escape reality and it seems to be doing more harm then good now... I'm Bipolar with Borderline personality disorder as well. Reason why i say im addicted to World of Warcraft is because I seem to take no responsibility for anything- no job, not talking to my old girlfriend, and a year ago i weighed 130 pounds and now im almost 200 pounds, and i just started to realize that i need help... in past half year i checked the days played on my characters in the game and it came out to 100 days played, thats of total time actually playing. I used to go to college in the fall of 08' but i dropped out because the stress got to me and I still dont know how to manage stress well at all without having a mental breakdown. I was thinking about going on a diet and go to the YMCA and exercise to loose the weight that I gained and something else as well to keep me busy that isnt stressful. Suggestions are greatly appreciated, thanks.

You're not alone in this

My brother is the same way, in that he uses games like WoW to escape reality...but he is 19 years old, and he doesn't want any help. I'm glad you see and can admit to having a problem. Exercising at the Y sounds like a great idea! Do you have a therapist to talk to about how other ways to handle stress better?

I'd recommend writing and drawing because that's what I do. Sometimes I do arts and crafts and make different things, but you're a guy and I don't know if guys are into making bracelets and stuff

[Taonuviel]

It's so easy, huh? VR is so much nicer. But we just can't live there. For starters, take some walks and breathe the fresh air. Might help you feel more like getting offline, if only a little.

You should join us in the internet addictions forum, I'm sure this will get moved there when a mod finds it.

My "drugs" of choice are Gaia Online and now Second Life. It interferes... but I have suspicions that I'm really only into it so badly when I can't concentrate on coursework regardless, and I'm at my lowest. Which means maybe it doesn't interfere, but it's the mental illness that's interfering. Either way, VR is only a temporary and incomplete relief. We need to find in reality what we're searching for in VR.

[thelionkinglives]

Originally Posted by Shyguy88

hi everyone, its been awhile since i was last on this site, so hi everyone. I turned 21 years old couple months ago and for the past year I been playing world of warcraft to escape reality and it seems to be doing more harm then good now... I'm Bipolar with Borderline personality disorder as well. Reason why i say im addicted to World of Warcraft is because I seem to take no responsibility for anything- no job, not talking to my old girlfriend, and a year ago i weighed 130 pounds and now im almost 200 pounds, and i just started to realize that i need help... in past half year i checked the days played on my characters in the game and it came out to 100 days played, thats of total time actually playing. I used to go to college in the fall of 08' but i dropped out because the stress got to me and I still dont know how to manage stress well at all without having a mental breakdown. I was thinking about going on a diet and go to the YMCA and exercise to loose the weight that I gained and something else as well to keep me busy that isnt stressful. Suggestions are greatly appreciated, thanks.

As for advice the best thing I can say is that you came to the decision that it's a hinderance on your own. In dealing with any kind of addiction that's the most crucial step.

I'm older than you so I'm not sure about the current games. My escape for years was Madden football. I could play for 21 hours straight at time. It never interfered with my work but when I think back to all the time I wasted when I was in my 20's on that game I could have taken college courses. It started out as a distraction after my son was killed but it eventually became a great way of avoiding life.

Your plan to excersise is a great start. Just make sure you have daily goals that are attainable. Don't set your sights too high at first. build your confidence with some easy wins first.

[KathyM]

Congratulations on recognizing this as a problem and deciding to switch to the game of life.

Regardless of their complexity and high-tech graphics, I've always viewed video games as a simple game of solitaire. The goal is to finish the game and declare yourself Number One. Even when there is group participation, the goal is the same. It's a way to pat yourself on the back when the world won't, and it's a way to gain control when life seems out of control. Games can be a useful tool, but only if used to stay strong in the real world - not when used to replace the real world.

I'm not aware of the game you play, but I hope you enjoy reconnecting with the character God has chosen for you. Good luck on whatever level you play, and I hope you enjoy your adventure.

When you're old and decrepit and taking your final breaths, what would you like to say to the young people about yourself and your adventures in life? You could tell them you were a champion at Solitaire, but chances are they might not be impressed and respond with "What's Solitaire?"

[artie]

Many medications for bipolar can cause weight gain, (like zyprexa which I'm on) the weight gain may have nothing to do with the time spent sitting playing the game ( I'm not sure, I think you were blaming the game).

I think we're programmed to play games, many animals have contests, largely non-violent displays and battles to determine who's boss, in my opinion sports and games are remnants of these instincts (yes I made this up but I do believe it).

I'm not saying it's wrong to want to quit or cut down, just there are good reasons why it is hard, not because you are "bad", "weak" etc

When I quit my addiction to smoking I needed substitues like popcorn, bad, but not as bad as smoking, now 4 years later cold water is still a bit of a substitute for smoking.

Hi there,
As someone who has an addictive personality and also plays Wow, I get this. Here is what I do - I do one month on, one off. So i get a card for one month, and then not buy one for the next month. Its painful at first, but eventually it got me to playing a more reasonable level. I wonder if you could contact them to see if they could limit your playing time to certain times of the day or week - like only weekends or only 2 hours in the evening.

Also, When you play, remember that it is bad for your eyes and brain if your playing for long hours. Every hour take a 15 min break. Go outside, breathe some fresh air, pee,(or poop :P) get a drink, call a freind.. try to get involved in something else, and if you get involved, see how long you can continue it. For instance call a friend and get in a long conversation. Try starting with 15 min and then working up to longer periods of time.

Its also good to develop other hobbies - what do you like to do thats interesting for you? have those things accessible at all times, so you can choose other activites. Do something goal oriented - like painting or writing or drawing or even cooking and baking!

if it has become a serious issue for you - contact them and have them block your account altogether. I have heard of them doing this for people before. Contact a therapist or an addiction center - dont be ashamed because its not a drug - they have heard of this addiction before, trust me.

Take it one day at a time. You can do this!

[artie]

Perhaps a conventional sport like ping pong or tennis will get you some of the same kicks as wow and help you loose weight.

You don't hear about people being addicted to physical sport much, I'd like to know why.

I'm not personally interested in sport or computer games, I generally seek harmony and equality in my interactions with others so dislike competition and domination ( I imagine such preferences are largely genetic).

War games do scare me more than most sports when there is realistic simulation of killing other people, the less a game resembles real killing the better I think it probably is for people, but this may be unfair.

Keep using that self-insight and ability to think critically about yourself and my guess is you 'll be fine.

[thelionkinglives]

Originally Posted by artie

Perhaps a conventional sport like ping pong or tennis will get you some of the same kicks as wow and help you loose weight.

You don't hear about people being addicted to physical sport much, I'd like to know why.

I'm not personally interested in sport or computer games, I generally seek harmony and equality in my interactions with others so dislike competition and domination ( I imagine such preferences are largely genetic).

War games do scare me more than most sports when there is realistic simulation of killing other people, the less a game resembles real killing the better I think it probably is for people, but this may be unfair.

Keep using that self-insight and ability to think critically about yourself and my guess is you 'll be fine.

I read your post & it got me thinking about the whole competion thing a little more. First, let me state that I am bringing the perspective as somone who has coached played sports over the years. In particular football. To each there own in finding their balance point. Where I choose to get off the boat is with the sport of hockey because they promote fighting more as much as the game. While football is aggressive & violent it is with in the constraints of rules.

I personally value competion and sport as a valuable teaching tool...the key is keeping it in the proper perspective. Learning how to compete developes an inner fire to be your best & how to over come failure...
when not taught right or kept in the proper perspective it can foster a survival of the fittest mentality. I think it's something parents & coaches need to look at on an independent basis for each kid participating.
Having coached in some very rough areas, it is a great outlet that keeps kids out of situations that are alot more violent & undiscilplined.
I know, in particular with football after coaching for a few years I personally had to take a break because I didn't like the side of me it was bringing out. I have an 11 year old son that plays baseball, football & basketball. He watches hockey & professional wrestling. He also plays chest, I have allowed him to play some of the more violent video games out there. But I know him, he's a straight A student, he is respectful to everyone at school & has a kind heart. I have not seen an ounce of a negative impact on him.
However, my 13 year old daughter is very impressionable. She has a hard time seperating reality from fiction. She watches a horror movie & gets ideas of harming her self. So I make a point to get her into non violent activities...art work, dancing, cooking...

The key is knowing your kid & what has a positive or negative on them.

As for the it being genetic. I'm not quite sure what you mean there. Unless you mean male/female. because males tend to be more into physical competition but even with girls, I've seeen plenty that have been positively impacted by sport. Heck, I even had a girl as the starting middle linebacker on one of my middle school football teams.

[artie]

Originally Posted by thelionkinglives

As for the it being genetic. I'm not quite sure what you mean there. Unless you mean male/female. because males tend to be more into physical competition but even with girls, I've seeen plenty that have been positively impacted by sport. Heck, I even had a girl as the starting middle linebacker on one of my middle school football teams.

I think by mentioning genetic I was partly trying to say such preferences for competition vs harmony are probably not worth trying to change to a great degree , that's the way you are, it should be respected.

I doubt there are many people with absolutely no competitiveness, I'm a male visual artist, all day long I'm seeking to create harmony and beauty in my work but am highly competitive with other artists, it probably does make me do better work.

As long as it's sportmanlike competition may well be very healthy and good for society.