WORLDWIDE — According to World Health Organization, playing video games too much will soon be classified as a mental health disorder.
The WHO’s International Classification of Diseases-11 Beta Draft, which was updated Monday, says a 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 Forbes magazine article says its inclusion in the draft means it will soon be classified as a health condition.
From the report, the disorder presents itself in the following ways:
Impaired control over gaming (e.g., onset, frequency, intensity, duration, termination, context).
Increasing priority given to gaming to the extent that gaming takes precedence over other life interests and daily activities.
Continuation or escalation of gaming despite the occurrence of negative consequences.
Do you have a problem or know someone else who does? WHO's report claims "gaming behaviour and other features are normally evident over a period of at least 12 months in order for a diagnosis to be assigned."