The World Health Organisation has announced that Video Game Addiction has officially been added to their database of mental illnesses
Announced back in June of 2018, the World Health Organisation has been in talks for the last year about the validity of video game addiction. It was added to their watch-list of potentially harmful technology-related mental illness and as of this weekend has been officially added to their database. On the same watch list were Internet addiction, cell phone addiction and computer addiction. If you’re worried that you might be suffering from the Gaming Disorder, just know that chances are you’re probably not suffering from any kind of addiction.
While many think that Gaming Disorder, as it’s been classified, is equivalent to the number of hours spent playing video games, the actual diagnosis is far more behavioural in nature. As defined by the WHO, “Gaming disorder is a pattern of persistent or recurrent gaming behaviour, which may be online or offline, manifested by impaired control over gaming, increasing priority given to gaming to the extent that gaming takes precedence over other life interests and daily activities and continuation or escalation of gaming despite the occurrence of negative consequences.” Basically, if you’re not eating, bathing, taking a walk outside or talking to people, essentially creating a lifestyle that is actively harmful to your individual wellbeing because you’re so driven to level up in Destiny, then that’s a problem.
Many have taken issue with Gaming Disorder as being an official “disorder due to addictive behaviour” citing that parents should monitor for these behaviours in children or that adults should be more self-aware of their playtime rather than going straight to defining the issue as addiction. Yet addiction is a very misunderstood mental disorder and while many would say that it’s just a matter of rehabilitation, it is an illness in its own right. The way video games have been progressing recently with more addictive game loops being implemented to coerce people to play long or spend real money, it seems logical that actual addictions could manifest from this shift in the industry.
Last Updated: May 27, 2019
Yahtzee
May 27, 2019 at 13:04
So working for most of the day makes you addicted to work? Cause I certainly don’t go for a run or socialize at work, but Glob have mercy on my member berries if I touch a game after working all day.
Alien Emperor Trevor
May 27, 2019 at 13:14
But… :'(
Viper_ZA
May 27, 2019 at 13:04
Hehe, well I must say I started airsoft this past weekend, boy have I been missing out xD
Alien Emperor Trevor
May 27, 2019 at 13:04
“citing that parents should monitor for these behaviours in children or that adults should be more self-aware of their playtime rather than going straight to defining the issue as addiction.”
So in other words, if you make sure you don’t get addicted to the addictive thing, then the addictive thing isn’t be addictive. I mean, sure that’s technically true, but like… you’ve just tacitly conceded the addictive thing can be addictive in the process of making your argument that it isn’t addictive.
Weanerdog
May 27, 2019 at 13:24
That’s brilliant. They have solved everything. I mean just don’t let the serotonin levels in your brain be out of balance and you won’t get depressed. Or better yet don’t get sick and you won’t die.
Pariah
May 27, 2019 at 13:24
Oh for that first one, the golden one is “just be happy”.
Weanerdog
May 27, 2019 at 13:34
That person deserves the Nobel Prize for medicine. I think they just cured depression.
Alien Emperor Trevor
May 27, 2019 at 13:34
Just be happy. Now pay me R1k for this consultation.
Weanerdog
May 27, 2019 at 13:42
The cheque is in the mail. I promise the white powder isn’t anthrax.
Pariah
May 27, 2019 at 13:24
Eh, it’s like crime. It’s only a crime if you get caught. So don’t get caught.
justlikemo
May 27, 2019 at 13:34
Gamers rehab: Forced to read a book, or even worse, forced to troll facebook !!!!
CrAiGiSh
May 27, 2019 at 15:04
Well sheet …
Gr8_Balls_o_Fire
May 27, 2019 at 15:32
Hey, it beats drugs right?
Pariah
May 27, 2019 at 15:32
I’m on the fence, personally.
No really. And I don’t know where my pants went. Help?
Gr8_Balls_o_Fire
May 27, 2019 at 15:51
lol what the what
Alien Emperor Trevor
May 27, 2019 at 12:56
I’m glad. Finally those who believe in esports will be able to get the help they need.
RinceThis
May 27, 2019 at 14:03
https://media.giphy.com/media/l0DEKzl8fVWF1n6E0/giphy.gif
Original Heretic
May 27, 2019 at 12:57
Have they classified people who are obsessed with sports teams yet?
Gr8_Balls_o_Fire
May 27, 2019 at 15:32
This man knows what’s up. Can’t understand football supporters who act as if they live in the club’s hometown, play for the club or have shares in the club.
G8crasha
May 27, 2019 at 13:42
I guess we are all entitled to one addiction in our lives. Some are addicted to shopping, some to cigarettes, some to travelling, some to coca cola, some to reading, some to McDonalds, some to porn…I guess I am addicted to gaming.
We humans we are all addicted to something – it’s just that some addictions have a greater and more negative impact on one’s health and life than other addictions.
Jacques Van Zyl
May 27, 2019 at 14:02
As somebody who spent 7 months in rehab for gaming addiction, among other issues, I am glad that it is officially being recognised. Learning to deal with certain behaviours has helped me manage my addiction, not just avoiding it. Avoiding drugs does not make them less addictive, same with anything really.
Edit : In rehab I was even forbidden from reading books because those too can be addictive.
Magoo
May 27, 2019 at 15:04
I eat properly and have good hygiene + a full time job. But people be damned. I am probably this thing. Shit, it could be worse.