Gaming Addiction Classified As A Disease By World Health Organization

Just this past weekend, the World Health Organization have voted to revise the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-11) for the eleventh time now to categorize what many might see as a growing pandemic, this being called “Gaming disorder.” Not to be confused with a genetic condition that hinders a person’s wellbeing, WHO classifies the new malady to be a behavioral disease.

Just last year, the World Health Organization put video game addiction into consideration when coinciding the growth of popularity of interactive games with a steady increase in disregard of self-hygiene, anti-social behaviors, and continuation of said behaviors regardless of negative traits.

Here is the definition of gaming disorder by WHO:

Gaming disorder is characterized by a pattern of persistent or recurrent gaming behaviour (‘digital gaming’ or ‘video-gaming’), which may be online (i.e., over the internet) or offline.

And as we continue to see the rise of entertainment media like video games as well as television and movies in this day of age with society solely enwrapped by electronics at our disposal, it is also best to remember to put our devices aside and take a break regularly as we are surrounded by technology every moment of our lives.

WHO has shared that the ICD-11 will go into full effect by January 1, 2022.

How do you feel about the World Health Organization defining video game addiction a disease?

Source: World Health Organization