Maressa Orzack

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Maressa Hecht Orzack
BornFebruary 5, 1924
Boston, Massachusetts
DiedNovember 10, 2010(2010-11-10) (aged 86)
Mystic, Connecticut
Alma materColumbia University
Known forComputer Addiction
Scientific career
FieldsPsychologist

Dr. Maressa Hecht Orzack (February 5, 1924 – November 10, 2010) was an American psychologist who was clinical associate in psychology at

Newton Centre.[2]

Orzack's research included various forms of

MMORPG games.[5]

Career

Orzack studied at

gambling addiction.[7] Her research into computer addiction started at around 1994 while she was treating patients for gambling addiction and substance abuse at McLean Hospital.[8] From discussions with her colleagues and patients referred to her, in 1996.[9] Orzack went on to found and coordinate computer addiction services and a study centre at the hospital.[4] When the clinic first opened Orzack would see at most two patients a week, but later expanded to dozens a week.[9] After that time, Orzack expanded her research from online sex to computer gambling addiction, through to computer game addiction.[8]

Computer addiction

Maressa Orzack became aware of the concept of computer addiction when trying to learn how to use a new item of

solitaire. After a time she started using the computer more for playing the card game than actual work. From her previous experience, she recognized that she was demonstrating addictive behaviors.[7] Orzack listed several symptoms of computer addiction, including using the computer for pleasure and relief from stress, feeling out of control and depressed when not using it, neglecting real life responsibilities and failure in attempts to cut down usage.[7]

Following from this, Orzack continued her research in this area and contacting other academics in this field. Reactions towards her beliefs were mixed, as some stating she was crazy, yet other scientists were also concerned about the issue. She compared computer addiction to other forms of addiction, such as gambling and alcohol addiction, and eating disorders.[7]

Internet addiction

Continuing from her studies in computer addiction, Maressa Orzack moved on to look at

withdrawal, loss of control, and compulsive behavior being some of them. She also described that one in ten people become addicted to the internet, with the figure being compared to that of gambling and alcohol addiction.[10] Many of her patients were later referred to a psychiatrist for prescriptions for antidepressant and antianxiety medication.[11] Orzack believed that treatment for internet addiction should be carried out without the aid of computers, and argued that computer-based treatment would be like "having an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting in a bar".[3]

Computer gaming addiction

Following her work in internet addiction, Orzack returned to the area that originally started her research into addiction and started re-examining computer games. Orzack believes that the root of gaming addiction comes from the need of excitement in life, stating that "these people are avoiding their own problems. Some of them want excitement, some of them want relief". She also stated that the numbers of computer game addicts in the United States is high, although actual figures are unclear.[12] Orzack felt that many of those she treated for computer game addiction were in their 40s or older, with them being almost exclusively male. She stated that she almost always heard of a case of this type after it has caused problems with someone's job or marriage.[4]

Multiplayer game addiction

Orzack's continued research into computer game addiction started to focus on

roleplaying and feel part of an organisation, something they may lack outside of the game.[13] She also stated that some patients have been known to take drugs in order to continue playing, making her feel that the addiction is worse than that of drink or drugs.[13] Withdrawal from gaming is not something Orzack recommended, as she felt this could lead to depression and violence.[13]

On August 8, 2006, Orzack was quoted in an interview that she felt that over 40 percent of all World of Warcraft subscribers were addicted to the game.

MMORPGs like World of Warcraft should carry warnings in a similar way to cigarettes.[14] There was disagreement about Orzack's conclusions, with it being described a "ridiculous claim" that an addiction to an enjoyable activity and describe it a “serious mental disorder”.[15] Other commentators were concerned that the term "addiction" was being used too frequently, and noting that at the time gaming and internet addiction were not included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.[16]

Orzack later described the 40 percent figure as an unscientific estimate,[17] based on a group study of gamers called the Daedalus project and conducted by Nick Yee in California.[5] She then went on to add that it may still be 40 percent who are addicted, but that she was willing to "cut back", concluding that "If you take over eight million people who play World of Warcraft, even if you cut it down to 10 to 15 per cent, that is a fair number of people".[5]

Orzack died November 10, 2010, in Mystic, Connecticut, after a long illness.[18]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Psychology Clinical Training Faculty". Maclean Hospital. Retrieved 8 March 2008.
  2. ^ "Computer Addiction Services". Retrieved 8 March 2008.
  3. ^ a b Belluck, Pam (1 December 1996). "The Symptoms of Internet Addiction". New York Times. Retrieved 2008-03-08.
  4. ^ a b c Marriott, Michel (12 March 1998). "When Love Turns to Obsession, Games Are No Game". New York Times. Retrieved 8 March 2008.
  5. ^ a b c Ferguson, Dylan (28 March 2007). "World of warcrack — The addictive power of role-playing games". The Manitoban Online. Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 21 November 2010.
  6. ISBN 0-8058-0322-X
    . Retrieved 2008-06-17.
  7. ^ a b c d Cromie, William J (21 January 1999). "Computer Addiction Is Coming On-line". Harvard University Gazette. Archived from the original on 5 March 2008. Retrieved 8 March 2008.
  8. ^ a b "Internet Addiction". Washington Post. 14 November 2006. Retrieved 8 March 2008.
  9. ^ a b Kershaw, Sarah (1 December 2005). "Hooked on the Web:Help Is on the Way". New York Times. Retrieved 8 March 2008.
  10. ^ a b c d Spring, Tom (14 January 1999). "Are You a Web Junkie?". PC World. Archived from the original on 22 April 2008. Retrieved 8 March 2008.
  11. ^ Goldman, Lea (9 May 2005). "This Is Your Brain On Clicks". Forbes. Archived from the original on 7 December 2007. Retrieved 18 June 2008.
  12. ^ Richards, Chris (5 October 2004). "Addicted Gamers, Losing Their Way". Washington Post. Retrieved 8 March 2008.
  13. ^ a b c d Weinstein, Farrah (26 June 2006). "Gaming 18 Hours A Day? Pricey New Rehab Clinic Promises Help". MTV. Retrieved 8 March 2008.
  14. ^ a b c Wright, Rob (8 August 2006). "Expert: 40 Percent of World of Warcraft Players Addicted". Tom's Games. Retrieved 8 March 2008.
  15. ^ John M. Grohol, Psy.D (10 August 2006). "Expert: 40 Percent of World of Warcraft Players Addicted". PsychCentral. Retrieved 8 March 2008.
  16. ^ Raimer, Jeremy (9 August 2006). "Doctor claims 40 percent of World of Warcraft players are addicted". Ars Technica. Retrieved 8 March 2008.
  17. ^ Bray, Hiawatha (2 September 2006). "Computer addictions are a serious glitch in online play". Boston Globe. Retrieved 8 March 2008.
  18. ^ "Maressa Orzack Obituary". The Day. 13 November 2010. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
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