Tuesday, January 2nd 2018
WHO Classifies Gaming Addiction as a Psychological Disorder
The World Health Organization (WHO) has now officially classified gaming addiction as a disorder, thus being listed as a mental health condition that is diagnosable. The WHO announced the new disorder today, which is bound to be included in the organization's 11th International Classification of Diseases (ICD) guide, which is due to be published this year.
Despite having its inclusion in the ICD confirmed, gaming addiction as a disorder still doesn't have a finalized transcript. It's still in the draft stages, and at this time, gaming addiction is being described as a pattern of persistent or recurrent gaming behavior so severe that it takes "precedence over other life interests". From the draft, the WHO is looking at extended diagnosing periods of at least 12 months until it can be confirmed that someone suffers from this disorder, though the diagnosis time frame can be reduced "if symptoms are severe".
Symptoms for this disorder include:
Source:
BBC
Despite having its inclusion in the ICD confirmed, gaming addiction as a disorder still doesn't have a finalized transcript. It's still in the draft stages, and at this time, gaming addiction is being described as a pattern of persistent or recurrent gaming behavior so severe that it takes "precedence over other life interests". From the draft, the WHO is looking at extended diagnosing periods of at least 12 months until it can be confirmed that someone suffers from this disorder, though the diagnosis time frame can be reduced "if symptoms are severe".
- impaired control over gaming (frequency, intensity, duration)
- increased priority given to gaming
- continuation or escalation of gaming despite negative consequences
33 Comments on WHO Classifies Gaming Addiction as a Psychological Disorder
Thing about disorders is, several of them have to negatively impact your life to be diagnosed. There are things in the DSM that several here would not consider disorderworthy at all: the key is context.
Source: I suffer from one such disorder. Fortunately in my case it has been deemed non-harmful.
Right amount of food - healthy life. Too much/too little - eating disorder
Right amount of painkillers - improved quality of life. Too much - drug addict
Etc.
The problem with digital interaction is it's is far from real. I often refer to AoL's move to unlimited internet / and "handles" as the end of modern civilizations. That day marked the day of the online asshat, where people could mouth off with no filter and no responsibility. I remember the time well .. till then Compuserve was the major online conduit for forums and discussions I staffed some of the TimeWarner Forum, PC Building forums / DOS / Windows and Utility Forums and when someone "registered" they were vetted, name and address confirmed. Any instance of flaming, profanity was met with 'elfing" (reference to the L key which when added to your online account locked you out.