Video games are a popular part of many kids, and even young adults, lives and lifestyles. As a product meant to entertain individuals, you would not think that this stimulus could actually be detrimental to your health. However, the World Health Organization just recently conducted a study and classified Gaming Disorder as a new disorder in the 11th Revision of the International Classification of Diseases
In this revision, Gaming Disorder is defined as a pattern of gaming behavior characterized by impaired control over gaming, increasing priority given to gaming over other activities to the extent that gaming takes precedence over other interests and daily activities, and continuation or escalation of gaming despite the occurrence of negative consequences. The idea that there could be a Gaming Disorder is a bit controversial, as could many mental disorders could be. For this reason, we want to dive in and define what gaming disorder is, and when gaming can become a problem
When Does a Hobby Become a Disorder?
When it comes to Gaming Disorder, the main question is, when does an interest and entertainment derived from playing a game cross a threshold to becoming a gaming disorder? Diagnosing any mental health condition may never be an exact science, and Gaming Disorder is no different. Mental disorders vary per person, however, a general determinate of a disorder is an experience of withdrawal, and that removal from these stimuli can causes serious distress that visually manifest. Also, if gaming begins to take priority over all other aspects of your life, such as work, school, and family commitments, you may have developed a disorder.
Symptom of an Another Problem?
Another critical issue is whether the Gaming Disorder is actually a symptom of another problem? For instance, there’s good data to indicate that people who are on their screens a lot, including gamers, tend to be more depressed. For these individuals, the more they’re on the screen, the more depressed they get. It is important to understand the root and motives of peoples actions before classifying so not to misdiagnose.
Should Everyone Who Play Games be Concerned?
Studies show that gaming disorder affects only a very small portion of people who engage in video-gaming activities. However, people who partake in gaming should be alert to the amount of time they spend on gaming activities each day, particularly when it takes priority over other daily activities, as well as if it makes any changes in their physical or psychological health and social functioning.
In general, once gaming begins to take priority over all other aspects of your life, such as work, school, and family commitments, could be potentially dealing with a disorder. If you play video games moderately and can still handle your day-to-day responsibilities, you are still in control and probably do not have a disorder.
Someone who spends eight hours with a new game or regularly plays favorite games during the evenings isn’t necessarily sick, and experts have come up with some ways to identify gaming disorder. If you think someone you know may have a problem with video games, look for these signs:
- Lying about their time spent playing games.
- Lying in order to play more games.
- Irritability or anger when not playing games.
- Inability to concentrate on outside activities.
- Using games to avoid emotional, financial or relationship problems.
The biggest problem with many behavioral disorders is getting the person to realize or admit that they have a problem; it’s even more of a concern with video game abuse because many people see nothing wrong with excessive game play. Video games don’t tend to lead to jail time or illegal activity, for example, which is often an indicator that someone has a serious problem.
Gaming is something that is meant to bring individual’s joy, but as with all things, too much of a good thing can hurt you. If you feel that someone you know may have a problem, reach out and try to help and work with them to get them to the place they need to be.
