What is Gaming Disorder? Now define WHO's ICD-11
The Gaming begins with excitement, later on increasing frequency, it became Addiction over few months. For Gaming Disorder to be diagnosed, the behavior pattern must be of sufficient severity to result in significant impairment in personal, family, social, educational, occupational or other important areas of functioning and would normally have been evident for at least 12 months.
Background
World Health Organization (WHO) has defined Gaming Disorder in the 11th Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) as a pattern of gaming behavior either Digital Gaming or Video Gaming. The 11th revision of ICD was released in mid-2018 by WHO. The ICD is the basis for identification of health trends and statistics globally and the international standard for reporting diseases and health conditions. It is used by medical practitioners around the world to diagnose conditions and by researchers to categorize conditions.
5 Signs to Diagnose
- Thinking about Game all the time
- Feeling Bad When You Can’t Play
- Not being able to Quit
- Needing to play in order to feel good
Having Problems at Work or School
Do Self Diagnosis by asking yourself
- Is your Gaming affecting your relationship?
- Is it affecting your Job or School?
- Do you like to play or You have to play?
- Do you spend significant amount of time in Gaming?
- Are you excluding your daily activities?
- Are you avoiding social functioning over Gaming?
Why is Gaming Disorder being included in ICE-11?
A decision on inclusion of gaming disorder in ICD-11 is based on reviews of available evidence and reflects a consensus of experts from different disciplines and geographical regions that were involved in the process of technical consultations undertaken by WHO in the process of ICD-11 development. The inclusion of gaming disorder in ICD-11 follows the development of treatment programmes for people with health conditions identical to those characteristics of gaming disorder in many parts of the world, and will result in the increased attention of health professionals to the risks of development of this disorder and, accordingly, to relevant prevention and treatment measures.
Who should concern about developing Gaming Disorder?
Studies suggest that gaming disorder affects only a small proportion of people who engage in digital- or video-gaming activities. However, people who partake in gaming should be alert to the amount of time they spend on gaming activities, particularly when it is to the exclusion of other daily activities, as well as to any changes in their physical or psychological health and social functioning that could be attributed to their pattern of gaming behaviour.
How to treat?
- Consult Psychologist for Counselling
- Behavioural Modification
- Controlled Exposure of Gaming
- Try Alternatives of Outdoor Games or Sports
Source: Reference taken from WHO official website, Newsroom, published Q&A on 22 October 2020.
