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Gaming addiction is mental health disorder: WHO

Written by James Delahunty @ 03 Jan 2018 2:08 User comments (2)

Gaming addiction is mental health disorder: WHO

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.

Tags: WHO
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2 user comments

16.1.2018 10:07

So true! No days so many kids would rather sit and play video games than go out and have a real life, or even have a girlfriend/boyfriend.

and adults alike,

27.1.2018 22:34

if it is done in moderation it is alright. a normal person would not sit their neglecting their body to play video games.

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