WHO: game addiction is a mental health disorder

[DelJo63]

NBCNEWS.COM is reporting

The WHO(World Health Organization) calls gaming addiction "a pattern of persistent or recurrent gaming behavior" so severe it "takes precedence over other life interests".

The WHO's expert on mental health and substance abuse, Shekhar Saxena, said some of the worst cases seen in global research were of gamers playing for up to 20 hours a day, forgoing sleep, meals, work or school and other daily activities.

He stressed that only a small minority of people who play digital and video games would develop a problem, but said recognition of early warning signs may help prevent it.​

see the link above for the details.

 

[AlmightyDenny]

It's much like everything that can become addicting.
I personally don't see a problem to define an addiction to videogames as a mental disorder, as some other addictions are considered also some type of disorder as well.

This is not saying that Videogames are bad per se, but that on some persons they may develop an unhealthy addiction that develops into a disorder. And this happens also with alcohol, gambling, sex, and even food.

Let's not forget that playing videogames (specially competitive ones) increases Dopamine and other brain chemicals, so in some persons it may actually have a pretty nasty effect, specially those with some natural or genetical predisposition.

 

[GaryMove]

Well, stress killing faster

 

[AlmightyDenny]

Well, stress killing faster

Well, indeed. Can't argue against that! lol

 

[techmaniac231]

Well, stress killing faster

Absolutely right!

 

[Keontae]

Its easy to categorize anything as addiction. People do what they enjoy. Whether its video games, basketball, drugs, clubbing, tinder. In the end its up to people what they want to do. And while gaming addiction is real thing, I wouldnt classify it as mental health disorder, because they can stop all the time, they just chose not to.

By the way, will you tell NBA player to stop playing basketball 10+ hours a day because hes addicted? LOL.

 

[cliffordcooley]

Gaming is not a disorder. If gaming is a problem, it is the result of a disorder (such as social anxiety disorder).