Gaming Addiction Formally Recognised As A ‘Disorder’ By WHO

World Health Organisation Recognises Gaming Addiction

How addicted are you to your gaming? In this context, the word ‘addicted’ might, for many, be an elaborate stretch. Then again, at what point does a hobby become an addiction? I suppose taking the term at its definition the term ‘addict’ means a dependency. An absolutely need or requirement to do something. Viewing it from this context, I think the vast majority of us gamers probably could live without it and therefore by definition couldn’t necessarily be addicted.

In a report via the BBC and in a bold step, the World Health Organisation (WHO), has officially decided to declare that gaming can be addictive and as such, treated as a disorder.

You may recall that around a week ago we reported that the WHO was considering this move. Well, they are considering it no longer being addicted to gaming is officially a ‘disorder’.

Does gaming addiction exist?

A tricky question. I suppose the main key factor is when gaming no longer becomes enjoyable.

For many of us, particularly PC gamers, if we were asked to name the game that got us close to (or completely) addicts, World of Warcraft would probably be a top contender. I remember there were times when doing the dailies and raiding until 2-3 in the morning seemed very much more like a job than an enjoyable experience.

In the WMO’s new International Classification of Diseases, gaming addiction will, however, be included.

The ‘symptoms’ of addiction include;

• Impaired control over gaming (based on frequency, intensity and the duration)
• increased priority to gaming (over other life aspects)
• Continuation or escalation of gaming habits despite negative consequences.

Dr. Richard Graham, who specialises in technology addiction specialist at the Nightingale Hospital in London agrees with the inclusion saying: “It is significant because it creates the opportunity for more specialized services. It puts it on the map as something to take seriously.” He went on to say that he is aware of at least 50 cases a year of what he would term ‘gaming addiction’.

What do you think? Is gaming addiction a real thing? How would you treat it? – Let us know in the comments!