World Health Organisation makes gaming addiction an official disease

After the World Health Organization (WHO) unanimously voted to recognize the condition, video game addiction became an official disease.

The disorder has been characterized as using computer or video games excessively or compulsively to the extent that it affects the daily life of a person.

           The WHO says that in order for a person to be diagnosed with addiction to video games, their behavior must be "of sufficient severity to cause significant impairment in personal, family, social, educational, occupational or other important functioning areas."

Last year, in the 11th revision of its International Classification of Diseases, the organization included video game addiction because of concerns the gaming industry encouraged compulsive play.

The revision has now been agreed by all 194 WHO members and will come into effect on 1 January 2022.

It said medical professionals will become more aware by classifying gaming addiction as an official disease and addicts will be able to receive adequate treatment.

The decision, however, was faced by the gaming industry with fierce opposition, with some arguing that the issue needs more research.

A statement from the Global Video Game Industry Associations read: "We are concerned that[ the WHO] has reached its conclusion without the academic community's consensus.' The consequences of today's action could be far-reaching, unintended, and to the detriment of those in need of genuine assistance.' It also said that the guidance of the WHO was not based on' sufficiently robust evidence.'

"And we also think as an industry we can and should do more about research and collaboration." WHO said its decision was based on "reviews of available evidence and reflects a consensus among experts from different disciplines and geographical regions."