Video game addiction now recognized as a mental health disorder by the World Health Organization

Video game addiction now recognized as a mental health disorder by the World Health Organization

  • The WHO now considers game addiction to be a type of mental health disorder
  • Those diagnosed often give priority to video games over other daily activities
  • Video game industry groups have since pushed back on the WHO’s decision

For many years, parents have raised concerns that their child might be addicted to video games. 

Now, a new ruling by the World Health Organization (WHO) gives credence to those beliefs, as the agency agreed this weekend to recognize gaming addiction as a mental health disorder.

To be diagnosed with this disorder, people must be playing video games so much that it ‘takes precedence over other life interests.’

 

A new decision from the WHO has recognized ‘gaming addiction’ as a mental health disorder. It gives credence to many parents long-held belief that their child could be addicted to gaming 

The change has been reflected in the WHO’s International Classification of Diseases (ICD), a list used by health providers as a guideline for diagnosing patients. 

Gaming disorder falls under the WHO’s list of ‘mental, behavioral or neurodevelopmental disorders’ and closely mirrors the language used by the WHO to describe ‘gambling disorder.’  

The definition says gaming disorder is characterized by a ‘pattern of persistent or recurrent gaming behavior (“digital gaming” or “video-gaming”), which may be online (i.e., over the internet) or offline.’

A person who suffers from gaming disorder may have trouble controlling how often they play video games, how long each session lasts, as well as quitting a game, among other things. 

More importantly, those with gaming disorder give increasing priority to video games ‘over other life interests and daily activities, as well as a ‘continuation or escalation of gaming despite the occurence of negative consequences.’

In most cases, a person is diagnosed with gaming disorder after showing symptoms for at least 12 months, according to the WHO.

Gaming disorder falls under the WHO's list of 'mental, behavioral or neurodevelopmental disorders' and closely mirrors the language used by the WHO to describe 'gambling disorder'

Gaming disorder falls under the WHO’s list of ‘mental, behavioral or neurodevelopmental disorders’ and closely mirrors the language used by the WHO to describe ‘gambling disorder’ 

During research, experts found that some of the most critical examples of gaming addiction included individuals who played video games for up to 20 hours a day and didn’t eat or sleep, as well as engage in normal activities like school or work, noted Shekhar Saxena, director of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse at the WHO. 

While gaming disorder isn’t likely to affect many gamers, if the described symptoms persist for more than a year, they could be diagnosed with the disorder, he added. 

The WHO’s decision has faced some criticism from those in the gaming industry, including the Interactive Games & Entertainment Association, which counts representatives from the US, UK, Canada, Australia and other countries around the world.

‘Gaming disorder is not based on sufficiently robust evidence to justify inclusion in one of the WHO’s most important norm-setting tools,’ the IGEA said in a statement.

‘We are concerned they reached their conclusion without the consensus of the academic community. 

‘The consequences of today’s action could be far-reaching, unintended, and to the detriment of those in need of genuine help,’ the organization added. 

Similarly, the Video Games Coalition told NBC News that their products were ‘enjoyed safely and sensibly by more than 2 billion people worldwide,’ adding that video games generate ‘educational, therapeutic and recreational value.’  

WHY HAS THE WHO CLASSIFIED INTERNET GAMING AS A MENTAL HEALTH DISORDER?

WHO classifies internet gaming as official mental health disorder

The World Health Organisation has classified playing video games on the internet as an official mental health disorder.

‘Gaming disorder’ is defined as ‘a pattern of gaming behavior characterized by impaired control over gaming, increasing priority given to gaming over other activities to the extent that gaming takes precedence over other interests and daily activities, and continuation or escalation of gaming despite the occurrence of negative consequences.’

To be diagnosed with gaming disorder, the individual must:

(1) Experience significant impairment in personal, family, social, educational, occupational or other important areas of functioning

(2) Have experienced this impairment for at least 12 months

WHO advises gamers to be mindful of how much time they spend playing, especially if it is to the exclusion of other daily activities.

They should also be alert to changes in their physical or psychological health and social functioning which could be attributed to gaming. 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk