James Delahunty
3 Jan 2018 2:08
The World Health Organization is set to class gaming addiction as a mental health condition for the first time.
The classification is part of the organization's 11th International Classification of Diseases (ICD) that will be published this year. It refers to gaming habits so severe that they take complete precedence over other life interests.
Abnormal gaming behavior should persist for more than twelve months for a diagnosis to be made, except if symptoms were severe. Associated symptoms would include impaired control over gaming frequency, intensity and duration, as well as escalating gaming habits even as negative consequences mount.
Some countries around the world have already been treating excessive gaming as an addiction problem and responding with public policy, including time limits enforced on online gaming for minors.
In the UK, some private addiction clinics treat patients for digital addiction.