Gaming
A doctor from Bolton University says that game addicts become so concerned with maximising their playing time that they regularly miss sleep and meals.
Dr John Charlton, who studied almost 400 regular players of online role-playing game Asheron's Call, said those players who edged closer to becoming addicts also showed traits of low self-esteem, introverted behaviour and anxiety.
The behaviour shown, claims Dr Charlton, is found in Asperger's syndrome, a type of autism in which sufferers find it difficult to socially interact with others.
“Our research supports the idea that people who are heavily involved in game playing may be nearer to autistic spectrum disorders than people who have no interest in gaming," said Charlton.
Dr John Charlton, who studied almost 400 regular players of online role-playing game Asheron's Call, said those players who edged closer to becoming addicts also showed traits of low self-esteem, introverted behaviour and anxiety.
The behaviour shown, claims Dr Charlton, is found in Asperger's syndrome, a type of autism in which sufferers find it difficult to socially interact with others.
“Our research supports the idea that people who are heavily involved in game playing may be nearer to autistic spectrum disorders than people who have no interest in gaming," said Charlton.
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