After careful consideration, the World Health Organization (WHO) has officially classified gaming addiction, also known as gaming disorder, as a mental health condition.

This decision was made after WHO included gaming addiction in the latest version of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases (ICD) on Monday, June 18, 2018.

The ICD is a system issued by WHO that contains a comprehensive list of diseases along with their symptoms, signs, and causes.

Regarding gaming addiction, WHO placed it under the category of “disorders due to addictive behaviors.”

As summarized by Science Alert on Tuesday, June 19, 2018, gaming addiction can be diagnosed as a disorder if three key criteria are met.

First, an individual is unable to control their gaming behavior.
Second, gaming becomes a higher priority than other daily activities.
Third, the individual continues to play games despite clear negative consequences.

WHO stated that these three conditions must be present or observable for at least one year before a formal diagnosis can be made.

In addition, WHO explained that the term “gaming” includes various types of games played either individually or with others, both online and offline.

However, this does not mean that all types of games are addictive or cause mental health disorders.

“Gaming is classified as a mental disorder only when it significantly interferes with or damages personal, family, social, occupational, or educational functioning,” WHO stated.

“There is already sufficient evidence indicating that gaming addiction can lead to health problems,” WHO wrote on its official website.

Source: Kompas.com
Originally published under the title: “WHO Officially Classifies Gaming Addiction as a Mental Disorder.”