the bird on fire

The Bird is the Word: Sophisticated Schoolyard Shenanigans

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Holden Rants About a Topic Does Anyone Still Read This Title Part 5

by Leave a Comment

What is Gaming Disorder?

By Holden Hartle, who has played video games

In our pursuit this week of everything gaming, Holden uncovers a surprising disorder.

Image result for gaming disorder

I’ll be completely honest, I didn’t think this was real when I first heard about it. But, it’s a real mental disorder that the World Health Organization (WHO) added to the 11th Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) and that the American Psychology Association (APA) added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manuel of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-V) .

What does Gaming Disorder look like? Some of the symptoms according to psychiatry.org include, “preoccupation with gaming, withdrawal symptoms when gaming is taken away (sadness, anxiety, irritability), inability to reduce playing, unsuccessful attempts to quit gaming,  and the use of gaming to relieve negative moods, such as guilt or hopelessness.” These are the same symptoms that someone might go through if they were addicted to a drug of some sort, i.e. the inability to stop and the feelings of sadness and anxiety when it is taken away from you.

Now, if you’re an incessant gamer like me, these symptoms scare you. But fear not, only a very small portion of the population actually has the disorder. The criteria is very specific and needs to last for a certain amount of time in order for someone to be diagnosed. A case study in the International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction states that, ”The diagnosis of IGD is not easy,” and, “[Gaming disorder’s] psychological, social, and health consequences require further study.” The study goes on to explain that little research has been done into the effectiveness of the various types of treatments of Gaming Disorder and which treatment is best.

Another case study, this time from Yale, explains that the dopamine boost in a cocaine addict’s system after a hit is the same dopamine boost from someone who has Gaming Disorder. Furthermore, when a video game addict plays video games, he has conditioned his hypothalamus to reward him every time he plays video games. This makes sense when you consider the fact that a video game addict goes through similar withdrawals to that of a drug addict. When he isn’t playing video games, his body feels empty without the constant string of dopamine flowing through his system

To remind you, a very very very small percentage of the population actually has Gaming Disorder. The screening process is very scrupulous in order for a psychologist to actually diagnose someone. If you feel like you may have this disorder, however, contact your local psychologist, and they may be able to help.

Video Game Editor: AJ Patencio

every boy and every girl, spice up your life

by 1 Comment

By Unofficial “Spice” Girl, Makena Behnke

Editor Holden solicits his fellow sentient bloggers as to what spices up their everyday lives. Makena replies . . .

first things first, i like my life. some aspects are rather mundane (washing my face, doing my homework, blah, blah, blah), but i like to think some aspects of my daily life are interesting. i’m not here to tell you what the interesting aspects are because that’s not what this post is about–not a makena-life post. i’m here to tell you how to spice up your life–every boy and every girl.

there are plenty of well-known ways to mix it up–color your hair, buy a whole new wardrobe, travel to Spain spontaneously. i’m all about spontaneity, but not a lot of us are able to pick up and go to a different country or buy a new closet. i present to you a non-list of simple things to refresh your daily life.

research something you don’t know much about. let’s say your great grandfather was from Sweden, but you don’t know anything about Sweden other than IKEA. maybe research what’s happening in their politics or cool Swedish inventions. or, look up some ancient religions and something you’re completely clueless about.

i’m a coffee fan. i’m not picky when it comes to types of beans or where they were grown, etc. i like what i like, and i usually stick to it, but i like trying new things. mix in some protein powder (make sure you actually like the protein powder) or powdered collagen in your morning coffee–provides a health boost, and, maybe just for me, but when i change something small in my daily routine, it makes me a bit happier.

wake up five minutes earlier or set aside five minutes before bed to do some light stretching, or stretch morning and night, whatever you please. stretching before bed would loosen up your muscles before sleep, and stretching in the morning would energize you a bit and get the blood flowing.

maybe you’re completely content with your life, and you don’t need me telling you how to make your life more interesting, but maybe try a couple of these suggestions out and see how you feel. If you hate them, sorry for wasting your time; if you don’t, you’re welcome.

Spice-Up-Your-Life Editor: Holden Hartle