The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified obsession with video games as a mental disorder in its latest classification of mental health conditions.
The inclusion of video game obsession on the list of mental health conditions now make it an official diagnosis that can be used by doctors and other health specialists.
A draft of WHO’s upcoming 11th International Compendium of Diseases (ICD) defined gaming 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”.
According to the WHO the disorder is characterised by “impaired control” with increasing priority given to gaming.
The document said “Gaming disorder is characterised by a pattern of persistent or recurrent digital or video gaming behaviour which may be online or offline, manifested by impaired control over gaming onset, frequency, intensity, duration, termination and context.”
“It may also be displayed by increasing priority given to gaming to the extent that gaming takes precedence over other life interests and daily activities. The disorder is also characterised by continuation or escalation of gaming despite the occurrence of negative consequences,” the document further said.
In many African countries, playing video games has become a major part of people’s daily activities with some playing on their phones, computers and many a time at video game centers.
WHO has said that the gaming disorder would need at least six months of observed symptoms before diagnosis can be made by medical officers.
“Video game playing, either online or offline, must be normally evident over a period of at least 12 months for this diagnosis to be made, according to the beta draft guidance. However, if symptoms are severe and all requirements are met, healthcare professionals may include people who have been playing for shorter periods of time,” the draft said.
A spokesperson for the WHO Gregory Hartl said the new classification on gaming disorder “includes only a clinical description and not prevention and treatment options”.
Source: Africafeeds.com
