Video game addiction now recognized as a mental health disorder by the World Health Organization

For many years, parents have raised concerns that their child might be addicted to video games. Now, a new ruling by the World Health Organization (WHO) gives credence to those beliefs, as the agency agreed this weekend to recognize gaming addiction as a mental health disorder. To be diagnosed with this disorder, people must be playing video games so much that it'takes precedence over other life interests.' A new decision from the WHO has recognized'gaming addiction' as a mental health disorder. The change has been reflected in the WHO's International Classification of Diseases (ICD), a list used by health providers as a guideline for diagnosing patients. Gaming disorder falls under the WHO's list of'mental, behavioral or neurodevelopmental disorders' and closely mirrors the language used by the WHO to describe'gambling disorder.'