China opens game-addiction clinic

My name is John, and I play computer games.

No, no, I don't have a problem, not like that. At least I don't think I do (although isn't denial the first stage of something or other?) But over in China, a new clinic is opening for people who show the "clinical" signs of video game addiction: "depression, nervousness, fear and unwillingness to interact with others, panic and agitation."

The Associated Press reports on the new clinic and others like it around the world, as well as the patients. Take the case of the 12-year-old boy who spent four days at an Internet cafe, barely eating or sleeping. Or the 21-year-old who used video games to escape from family pressures to study.

I'm not making light of this in any way. People can be badly hurt when their lives careen out of balance, in almost any way. A seductive platform like games can certainly help. So, like mom said, get outside, read a book, eat your vegetables. Really.