Video game addiction is a mental health disorder, WHO says, but psychiatrists don't agree

The World Health Organization says that compulsively playing video games now qualifies as a new mental health condition, in a move that some critics warn may risk stigmatizing too many young players. While it's hard for some investors to wrap their arms around the significance of gaming, the short answer is it is massive and expected to continue to exhibit huge growth for years to come. Can someone truly be addicted to video games? The World Health Organization thinks so – but a major professional organization for psychiatrists strongly disagrees. The World Health Organization on Monday classified "gaming disorder" as a diagnosable condition, giving mental health professionals a basis for setting up treatment and identifying risks for the addictive behavior.