Geneva: WHO will include ‘gaming disorder’ in its list of mental health conditions in the beta draft of its forthcoming 11th International Classification of Diseases.
Playing video game excessively might lead to a diagnosis of mental health disorder, WHO says.
The Organisation also defines this disorder as a “persistent or recurrent” behaviour pattern of “sufficient severity to result in significant impairment in personal, family, social, educational, occupational or other important areas of functioning.”
The disorder is characterised by “impaired control” with increasing priority given to gaming and “escalation,” despite “negative consequences.”
The beta draft guidance mentions that video game playing, either offline or online, must be “normally evident over a period of at least 12 months” for this diagnosis to be made.
“The new ICD-11 entry on gaming disorder ‘includes only a clinical description and not prevention and treatment options’ said Gregory Hartl, a spokesman for the WHO.