Latest Expert Witness News

Do online games trigger a new psychiatric disorder?

"I'm 31 years old. I should be out there achieving something, but I can't . . . Right now I'm hooked to this digital version of an IV drip with cocaine in it, and I can't break free for the life of me."

So ends one of the confessions on a website where people addicted to the computer game World of Warcraft seek support. Known to be particularly habit-forming, World of Warcraft launches players on elaborate adventures in a virtual universe, often in the company of buddies that they meet inside the game. In some cases, players become so invested in their virtual lives that they lose jobs, stop showering, or rig up impromptu "toilets" near their computers.

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Dr. Jerald Block, a psychiatrist in Portland, USA., specializes in treating those who've spent years living as warlocks, ogres, or spaceship commanders. He believes that psychiatry needs to do a lot of catching up in order to understand why people get stuck in games like Warcraft. One problem: Most therapists have no idea what a "guild" is or what it means to hit Level 60. Because of this language barrier, many gamers wind up begging for help in online support groups rather than seeking out mental health professionals.

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