Hello Sarah: Yes, I think that is a proper useage. If it is factual that video games can have, as their natural consequence, the result of feelings of loneliness, addiction, and depression, then indeed, these are symptoms, or symptomatic of this behavior. In much the same way, one might state that Fear, Anger, Deep Resentment, and Selfishness, seem to be symptomatic of Alcoholism and so forth. I think you have a good grasp of the concept.--Warm regards, Bruce

Yes, I know. You are right Craig. Those things weren't factual. I just wanted to make a statement to use symptom of. :)

I have a problem with this. I don't agree with it. An upset stomach, feeling tired, could be the symptoms of a virus. Alcoholism and anti-social behaviour could be the symptoms of an unhappy home life. Playing video games isn't a bad thing, it's a past-time, a hobby. OBSESSIVELY playing video games would cause problems like, tiredness, mood swings, anti-social behaviour, and physical problems from a lack of exercise, but depression and loneliness would make games appealing, it wouldn't be the games making the person lonely or depressed. So addiction for me, would be the only symptom of obsessive game playing, along with the physical things like not sleeping properly or with a schedule, not eating properly etc. For me, there are no symptoms of game playing. There are consequences, but personally, your sentence doesn't sit well with me. I don't agree with the sentiment, and I don't agree with the choice of words. I'd say loneliness and depression are alleviated by playing video games, and they seem very appealing to people who suffer from those feelings, but addiction which leads to health problems, as well as masking underlying problems, is one of the negative symptoms of playing video games obsessively. How can people feel lonely when they can play with thousands of other people online? A symptom is like a trail which leads you to the cause. Doctors ask your symptoms, "sore head, no appetite, feel sick", oh well those symptoms seem to suggest a virus. The virus is the problem, the symptoms are what lead us to the problem. Loneliness and addiction, and depression, do not lead people to games playing. I'd take the addiction out of it, and look at their home and school life, before I said something stupid like the games are the problems. (Not that I say your statement is stupid, it's not, and you are the polar opposite of stupid, you know how clever I say you are).

Symptoms

Thank you Thejen for your help.