Overreliance on video games is recognized as a mental disorder. At least, so says the world health organization (who) published new International classification of diseases for the first time included in the list of gambling. New classification of diseases will be approved at the world health Assembly in may 2019, and will come into force not earlier than January 1, 2022.
Earlier opposed the inclusion of gambling in the list of diseases were made by the representatives of the computer games industry. According to the video game developers USA, Canada, Europe, Brazil and South Africa, such a move will pick up enough objective scientific validity. At the same time, it was noted that games have “educational and therapeutic” functions.
Specialists who in turn do not think so. In their opinion, to diagnose the disease in three main characteristics, namely: the person ceases to control yourself, more frequently and devote more time to games than to other aspects of their lives; games begin to dominate over other life and everyday interests; people can’t stop despite negative consequences manifestation.
“Model of behavior is serious enough, it leads to significant impairment in personal, family, social, educational, occupational and other important areas of life”, — said in the explanation of the who.
However, the organization notes that the diagnosis of the disease described above symptoms must be observed in humans in an entire year. At the same time, the observation period may be shortened if all the signs of the disease become apparent immediately.
The world health organization recognizes compulsive gambling mental illness
Nikolai Khizhnyak