Technology is rapidly changing the world and society, bringing both pluses and minuses. Back in 2017 that too much passion for video games will be officially recognized as a mental disorder. Now, the World Health Organization has adopted a revised International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-11), which now includes for the first time "gaming disorder", which is considered an addiction.
"Gambling disorder" in the ICD-11 is listed after "Gambling disorder", and almost verbatim repeats the description of the latter, only "gambling" is replaced by "computer games". "Gambling disorder" was previously described as "pathological gambling" in the ICD-10 classification, which the WHO ratified in 1990. The text of ICD-11 was completed a year ago. And now, at the 72nd World Health Assembly, it has been formally adopted. The revision will come into effect on January 1, 2022.
The ICD is a classification system for diseases and disorders for the purposes of epidemiological research, public health management, information, and clinical management. It has a chapter on mental, behavioral or neuropsychiatric disorders, in which gambling addiction is mentioned. As described, the affliction is characterized by a pattern of persistent or repetitive gaming behavior (in relation to "digital games" or "video games") that can occur online (i.e. via the Internet) or offline.
Individuals with this disorder may experience poor control over playtime, an increase in the priority of play to the point where digital entertainment takes precedence over other vital interests and daily activities. Finally, people may continue to immerse themselves in games or even increase their attention to them despite the occurrence of various negative consequences.
The multi-billion dollar gaming industry couldn't help but react to this decision. A joint statement from industry representatives from the European Union and seven other countries called on the WHO to reconsider its inclusion of gaming disorder in the ICD-11.
“WHO is a respected organization and its leadership should be based on regular, meaningful and transparent research conducted by independent experts,” the statement said. "Gaming Disorder is not based on strong enough evidence to justify its inclusion in one of the most important WHO normative tools."
When the WHO finalized the text of ICD-11 last year, the Entertainment Software Association opposed the inclusion of "gaming disorder" in the list of diseases, saying that such a move is very reckless and in fact distracts attention from people's real mental health problems, such as depression or social anxiety disorder.
Last year, mental health professionals in an interview with Polygon criticized the inclusion of "gaming disorder" in the official list of diseases, calling the decision "hasty" and the diagnosis incorrect. One of them claimed that the Asian member states of the WHO put pressure on the organization, adding "gambling disorder" to the classification: the fact is that China and South Korea are already officially fighting people's gambling addiction at the legislative level. In turn, WHO denies that political pressure influenced the approved text.
It should be noted that the ICD is not a law and has no legal force. But it greatly influences how professionals and politicians approach the issue, propose treatments or new options for regulating public health. The influence of the ICD-11 people may well feel for themselves. For example, many psychologists are faced with the fact that parents believe that their children's excessive passion for games is some kind of separate disease, and the actions of WHO can reinforce their fears and encourage them to take the wrong actions.
Computer games, with a reasonable approach, are beneficial: some genres can develop memory, tactical thinking, improve reaction speed and attentiveness, not to mention an increase in mood and the ability to relax. According to , 3D platformers can protect against Alzheimer's disease: a passion for this genre over the age of 55 leads to an increase in the amount of gray matter in the hippocampus. The main thing, as with any other activity, is to observe the measure.
Source: 3dnews.ru
