Your mum has the last laugh! World Health Organisation has just identified ‘gaming disorder’

The WHO has termed playing excessive video games as 'extremely addictive'

By: News Desk |
December 25, 2017 1:06 pm

The World Health Organisation (WHO) last week identified playing excessive video games as a mental health condition. Playing excessive video games has been termed ‘Gaming Disorder’.

We know, that’s bad news for the avid gamers who love playing Resident Evil 7: Biohazard or Destiny 2, Call of Duty: WWII or Injustice 2 – NetherRelm Studios or BRONZE.

Vladimir Poznyak, a member of the WHO’s Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, said,

Health professionals need to recognise that gaming disorder may have serious health consequences. Most people who play video games don’t have a disorder, just like most people who drink alcohol don’t have a disorder either. However, in certain circumstances overuse can lead to adverse effects.

As reported by ANI, ‘Gaming Disorder’ is going to be classified as a mental health condition in World Health Organisation’s international list of illnesses for the first time in 11 years in 2018. The list was last updated 27 years ago, in 1990.

A survey also revealed that 10 percent of the people playing video games admitted to spending between 12 and 24 hours glued to their video game screens.

To overcome such gaming addictions, there are various rehab centres which offer help to those who need it. Video game addiction rehab centers provide addicts with the tools needed to overcome an addiction to gaming and can also help them to understand the reasons behind their addiction.