WHO to add video game addiction to International Classification of Diseases

WHO will add video game addiction to the International Classification of Diseases in 2018.

The agency’s beta draft of the disease catalog classifies “gaming disorder” as a consistent or recurrent pattern of behavior that includes a lack of control over digital gaming, allowing gaming to take priority over other interests and activities in a patient’s life and continuation of gaming despite negative consequences.

“Use of the internet, computers, smartphones and other electronic devices has dramatically increased over recent decades,” Gregory Hartl, WHO spokesman, told Healio.com. “While the increase is associated with clear benefits to users, for example in real-time information exchange, health problems as a result of excessive use have also been documented. In a number of countries, the problem has become a significant public health concern.”

Diagnosis extends to both online and offline video games.

“The behavior pattern is of sufficient severity to result in significant impairment in personal, family, social, educational, occupational or other important areas of functioning,” the entry reads. “The pattern of gaming behavior may be continuous or episodic and recurrent.”

Hartl noted that the entry consists only of a clinical description, and does not include measures for prevention or treatment.

WHO recommends that clinicians assign a diagnosis only if symptoms persist for at least a year, although this period may be shortened for patients who meet all of the diagnostic requirements or show especially severe symptoms. – by Andy Polhamus