Gaming Addiction Gets Mental Disorder Tag

Gaming disorder will be recognised as a mental health issue later this year following expert consensus over the addictive risks associated with playing electronic games, says WHO( WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION) 

The disorder will be listed in the 11th edition of the international classification of disease, to be published in June. 

The current working definition of the disorder is a pattern of gaming behaviour, that can be digital gaming or video gaming, characterised by impaired control over gaming, increased priority given to gaming over other activities to the extent that gaming takes precedence over other interests.

The provisional guidelines say that an individual should demonstrate an abnormal fixation on gaming for atleast a year before diagnosed with the disorder, which will be classified as an addictive behaviour.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that the condition disproportionately effects younger people more connected to the ever expanding online gaming world.

But the WHO spokesperson cautioned that it was premature to speculate on the scope of the problem.