World Health Organisation to decide if “Gaming Disorder” should be a recognized illness
The World Health Organisation will be holding a vote this week to determine if “Gaming Disorder” should be a recognized illness. According to Eurogamer, “Gaming Disorder” was first drafted last year in the International Classification of Diseases, or ICD-11, the W.H.O defines the disorder by a behavioral pattern as followed:
“persistent or recurrent gaming behavior, which may be online or offline, manifested by 1) impaired control over gaming (e.g., onset, frequency, intensity, duration, termination, context); 2) increasing priority given to gaming to the extent that gaming takes precedence over other life interests and daily activities; and 3) continuation or escalation of gaming despite the occurrence of negative consequences”. The W.H.O describes these behavior patterns are “of sufficient severity to result in significant impairment in personal, family, social, educational, occupational or other important areas of functioning.”
The reason the World Health Organisation included “gaming disorder” in the ICD-11 was “based on reviews of the available evidence, and reflects a consensus of experts [after] technical consultations.”
“We believe that continued conversation and education is needed before any classification is finalized. In fact, leading mental health experts have cautioned repeatedly that classifying ‘Gaming Disorder’ creates a risk of misdiagnosis for patients who most need help,” said ESA president, Stanley Pierre-Louis said. “It’s our hope that through continued dialogue we can help the WHO avoid rushed action and mistakes that could take years to correct.”
The World Health Organisation has not yet released an official date as to when this vote will occur.
