World Health Organization classifies gaming addiction as a mental disorder
Having trouble putting down the latest version of Candy Crush? There may be disturbing consequences surrounding it.
Recently, the World Health Organization has classified video game addiction as an official mental health disorder.
The Switzerland-based body has added “Gaming disorder” to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems or “ICD-11,” which goes into effect in January 2022.
"You adopted the 11th Edition of the International Classification of Diseases – #ICD11 – the first completely digital edition of one of WHO’s most valuable, but least-known products"-@DrTedros https://t.co/8fg5i0TnIC #WHA72 pic.twitter.com/howNNVLg0s
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) May 28, 2019
The new diagnosis isn’t just “gaming too much.” According to the WHO definition, gaming becomes a disorder when it interferes with daily life. That’s seen when a person loses control around gaming, prioritizes gaming over other interests and daily activities, and continues gaming despite negative effects on work, schooling, family life or social relationships.
Despite the WHO’s declaration, it was met by detractors.
Health officials and video game industry representatives from across the globe decried the WHO’s move. There still is not enough research to warrant the classification of a gaming disorder, wrote an international team of more than three dozen mental health researchers in a paper published in the Journal of Behavioral Addictions last year, three months before the WHO announced its plans to include “Gaming disorder” in the guide.
GAMING ADDICTION ?
Experts say video game addiction is not a passing phase but one that has devastating consequences on other parts of a child’s life, and parents should look for signs of wide-ranging effects.
STORY: https://t.co/360ULO8W55 pic.twitter.com/ZVVQv9xRtY— The Daily Telegraph (@dailytelegraph) May 26, 2019
Industry lobby organization the Video Games Coalition said its products had “educational, therapeutic, and recreational value” and were “enjoyed safely and sensibly by more than 2 billion people worldwide,” according to NBC News.
More than 150 million Americans play video games, according to the Entertainment Software Association, which also said that 60 percent of Americans play video games each day
Bret Gibson is a TribLive digital producer. A South Hills resident, he started working for the Trib in 1998. He can be reached at bgibson@triblive.com.
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