Wow... (And I don't mean WoW)

The volume of phone calls and emails I have been receiving from people struggling with compulsive gaming behavior is surprising...even to me. Therapists have been calling to consult about their clients, their own kids, and increasingly to discuss their personal history as compulsive gamers. The conversations are generally very encouraging - we're all learning from each other and people are finding ways to unhook from detrimental actvities they could not control. Many people are getting clearer on defining what a healthy and balanced lifestyle is and making positive changes.

Then there are the other kinds of calls, - the very disturbing ones - in which gaming behavior has been a factor in family violence. Sometimes the incidents are between parents and children, sometimes adult partners - but people are getting hurt, law enforcement and child welfare services are involved, and again I am struck by what an entirely new phenomenon this is.

I don't think anyone was prepared for this.