Skip to main content
Latest news
Thumbnail

Gaming Addiction Classified as Disorder

The gaming addiction is to be listed as a mental health condition for the first time by the World Health Organisation (WHO), according to reports.

The 2018 edition of the International Compendium of Diseases will list "gaming disorder" as a significant problem, following a huge rise in the popularity of video games since the last ICD was published in 1992.

A draft version refers to gaming behavior that takes "precedence over other life interests", suggesting such behavior should usually continue for at least 12 months before a diagnosis of a gaming disorder is made.

Speaking to the BBC, Dr. Richard Graham, lead technology addiction specialist at the Nightingale Hospital in London, welcomed the findings.

"It is significant because it creates the opportunity for more specialized services. It puts it on the map as something to take seriously,” he said.

The guide contains codes for diseases, signs and symptoms and is used by doctors and researchers to track and diagnose disease.

It will suggest that abnormal gaming behavior should be in evidence over a period of at least 12 months "for a diagnosis to be assigned" but added that period might be shortened "if symptoms are severe".

But he added that he would have sympathy for those who do not think the condition should be medicalized.

Gaming Addiction Classified as Disorder

The World Health Organisation (WHO) confirms it is classifying gaming addiction as a mental health illness.

Thumbnail

The gaming addiction is to be listed as a mental health condition for the first time by the World Health Organisation (WHO), according to reports.

The 2018 edition of the International Compendium of Diseases will list "gaming disorder" as a significant problem, following a huge rise in the popularity of video games since the last ICD was published in 1992.

A draft version refers to gaming behavior that takes "precedence over other life interests", suggesting such behavior should usually continue for at least 12 months before a diagnosis of a gaming disorder is made.

Speaking to the BBC, Dr. Richard Graham, lead technology addiction specialist at the Nightingale Hospital in London, welcomed the findings.

"It is significant because it creates the opportunity for more specialized services. It puts it on the map as something to take seriously,” he said.

The guide contains codes for diseases, signs and symptoms and is used by doctors and researchers to track and diagnose disease.

It will suggest that abnormal gaming behavior should be in evidence over a period of at least 12 months "for a diagnosis to be assigned" but added that period might be shortened "if symptoms are severe".

But he added that he would have sympathy for those who do not think the condition should be medicalized.

Share this post