I have developed a physical aversion to gaming.

[quackerww]

More specifically World of Warcraft, PC and Console gaming.
Every time I play a game I get a head ache, arm pain immediate, pressure around the eyes and a horrible case of nausea.

Not to mention a mental sense of detachment; from people and reality.
Perhaps worst a depleted physical energy.

WTF is going on...

This has been happening for over a year!
My friend tried to get me into WOW with him; I cannot physically do it.

 

[CKent]

Sometimes if I haven't played FPSs in a while I feel very slightly sick after 15 minutes of playing one, the same feeling I get if I try to read on a plane, train or car. Generally if I stop, I can play it the next day without any problems. Sometimes it requires a second "treatment", and some games are worse than others (HL2 engine = bad, CryEngine = no problem). You sound much worse off though.

 

[Psynaut]

After 4 1/2 years of non-stop EQ I was the same way. I would sit down to log on and get a stomach ache and a head ache. It was a couple years before I could enjoy gaming again.

 

[coloumb]

Sounds like you need to go see a doctor [general health checkup], optometrist [to check your vision], and a psychologist [for your mental sense of detachment from people and reality]

 

[Zenoth]

I developed a physical intolerance to Diablo II, each time I play it for more than say... two or three hours non-stop, even if I hadn't played it in months at all, then during the following night I will have cold sweat, a small but annoying headache, and an ocular fatigue that makes me feel really sick. And the effect usually takes a good 48 hours to stop completely. I do remember not having that problem when I first started playing it. It developed over the course of years of playing it.

My theory, even if it sounds absolutely ridiculous, is that it simply is a reaction of my body or brain to the visuals of the game (semi-3D, isometric) and that my eyes have a hard time following the character's movements. In fact, when I think about it, most of the 2D games I used to play a lot during my 8-Bit and 16-Bit gaming years often made me feel very tired (unusually) after long gaming sessions. Although it never reached anywhere near the extent of which Diablo II causes.

 

[sandorski]

Early symptoms of RS(Reality Syndrome). Nasty disease, soon you won't even Log onto the Internet!

 

[strjms72]

Why don't you just quit playing? If it's happened for a year now, maybe it's time to take a break

 

[CP5670]

I never got any headaches or other motion sickness in games in the past (in fact, I grew up on the Descent series), but Mass Effect did cause some trouble for me recently. The post-processing shader used in Eden Prime and some other, similar planets creates a nasty looking directional blur at the edges of the screen, especially noticeable when you look at the ground. I became uncomfortable within just a few minutes if I moved around while looking at the edges of the screen. Fortunately, this particular shader is only used in a few planets though.

In some cases, games that use a lower FOV than the usual 90 (HL2 in particular is known for this) can cause people to get dizzy. There are ways to increase it though.

 

[invidia]

I use to get motion sickness and headaches from playing FPS or 3D games when I was a kid. It took a couple of years for me to adapt to 3D images on computer screens.

 

[TheNiceGuy]

Some people have a natural reaction to strobes/refresh rates etc. Some even have epileptic seizures from this in very limited gaming. You might want to see a doc if you are unsure.
I think more common is the whole physical and psychological effects games can have. If you sit and stare at something while doing repetative actions for hours on a daily or regual basis, you will get side effects over time. In extreme cases various posture/muscular/nerve type damage. We are designed to move around regularly. You see these problems in some office or assembly plant workers. Parapalegics get extreme complications that can lead to death.
On the psycological side, gaming often involves solitary withdrawl from society for extended periods. And there are addiction issues. Both can cause issues. Feeling down or depressed is VERY common when you combine these factors.
For everyone there is a very strong psychosomatic connection between mind and body, and we usualy only percieve some of it. For example, my back and posture are a bit screwed up after so much computer use, and this makes me a bit grumpy.
So balance is valuable.

 

[tk149]

Have you considered that maybe your posture or something is different when you game?

For example, Do you watch TV leaning back against the couch, and play console games leaning forward? Or do you websurf leaning back, and play videogames in a more upright or forward position?

Maybe you're doing something physically different when you play games, and maybe that is why you're experiencing these symptoms only when you game.

 

[SZLiao214]

Do you happen to get any exercise throughout your day? When i was more sedentary i would have the same issues as you though to a much lesser extent.

Anything from a brisk walk and above should work

 

[quackerww]

I am in great shape and perfect health.
Symptoms related to game play has made the situation unbearable.
I have not played any games in about 16 months, for this reason...
But my friend is wanting me to play wow with him, yet physically I am unable.

 

[TheNiceGuy]

Don't do it then.
Your body is probably trying to tell you something.

 

[Martimus]

Maybe you have epilepsy?