Video Game Addiction Now Considered a Mental Disorder

Would you ever consider alcoholism and an addiction to playing video games the same thing? If it's something you can't fathom, you better get ready to accept it. The World Health Organization will acknowledge "Gaming Disorder" in 2018. According to the ICD-11 Beta Draft "Gaming disorder is characterized by a pattern of persistent or recurrent gaming behavior (‘digital gaming’ or ‘video-gaming’), which may be online". The draft goes on to explain "The behavior pattern is of sufficient severity to result in significant impairment in personal, family, social, educational, occupational or other important areas of functioning." Do you know of someone who has lost relationships, a job, or just checked out because of video games?

Do you think that your child or family member has a "gaming Disorder"? The ICD-11 Beta Draft describes the symptoms as "continuous or episodic and recurrent. The gaming behavior and other features are normally evident over a period of at least 12 months in order for a diagnosis to be assigned, although the required duration may be shortened if all diagnostic requirements are met and symptoms are severe." We have heard of binge watching and becoming obsessed with different TV shows, is that the nest disorder? My oh my, my mother was right! Are video games crippling our brains? What do you think? Should "Gaming Disorder" be acknowledged by the World Health Organization? Vote below.