Last October I wrote a lengthier post about video game addiction and talked about how it was being considered as a mental disorder. Recently the WHO has decided to go ahead with the official classification. When I first took a look at this topic I had a shift from something that wasn't possible to a very possible disorder. There are instances of people who have used video games as a crutch to fill in for some other aspect of their life that it becomes debilitating as they no longer leave their homes, look for employment, or socialize with friends outside of the game. While the disorder is real it begs the question did the WHO do a proper job of classifying it. Again I only have a bachelors degree in psychology and do not practice in the field so take what I say with a grain of salt.
As I talked about in the blog post some people are in the struggle between (Przybylski et al 2009) "harmonious passion"(passion that works with your life) and "obsessive passion"(passion that interferes with your life). This would be a group of people who are no longer playing games as a relief from work and more of a compulsive need to play. Most likely through a co-morbidity like depression a person could find themselves needing the very measurable reinforcement of progression that video games provide rather than for the entertainment. While most of us play games for that reinforcement, there are also other places we can tangibly get it. We don't game because we need it but because its fun.
According to the WHO:
"For gaming disorder to be diagnosed, the behaviour pattern must be of sufficient severity to result in significant impairment in personal, family, social, educational, occupational or other important areas of functioning and would normally have been evident for at least 12 month"
(http://www.who.int/features/qa/gaming-disorder/en/)
The specifications are broad but the WHO doesn't appear to believe that video game addiction is a problem outside a small minority of people who game. It's still a little concerning as what they believe and what is practiced abroad might not be the same.
If you are worried you are suffering from video game addiction then you can ask yourself if you fit the description and if so seek professional counsel. If you live a pretty standard life, can hold down a job, and leave your house from time to time, you are probably okay. Just know as funny as it sounds to most of us, like drinking, just because we don't have a problem doesn't necessarily mean others do not. It's also not a bad idea to speak out against those abusing the terminology that we can reliably assume a lot of media outlets will be doing.
A longer article that goes into even greater detail by Mike Phalin can be found here. I highly recommend it.
As I talked about in the blog post some people are in the struggle between (Przybylski et al 2009) "harmonious passion"(passion that works with your life) and "obsessive passion"(passion that interferes with your life). This would be a group of people who are no longer playing games as a relief from work and more of a compulsive need to play. Most likely through a co-morbidity like depression a person could find themselves needing the very measurable reinforcement of progression that video games provide rather than for the entertainment. While most of us play games for that reinforcement, there are also other places we can tangibly get it. We don't game because we need it but because its fun.
According to the WHO:
"For gaming disorder to be diagnosed, the behaviour pattern must be of sufficient severity to result in significant impairment in personal, family, social, educational, occupational or other important areas of functioning and would normally have been evident for at least 12 month"
(http://www.who.int/features/qa/gaming-disorder/en/)
The specifications are broad but the WHO doesn't appear to believe that video game addiction is a problem outside a small minority of people who game. It's still a little concerning as what they believe and what is practiced abroad might not be the same.
If you are worried you are suffering from video game addiction then you can ask yourself if you fit the description and if so seek professional counsel. If you live a pretty standard life, can hold down a job, and leave your house from time to time, you are probably okay. Just know as funny as it sounds to most of us, like drinking, just because we don't have a problem doesn't necessarily mean others do not. It's also not a bad idea to speak out against those abusing the terminology that we can reliably assume a lot of media outlets will be doing.
A longer article that goes into even greater detail by Mike Phalin can be found here. I highly recommend it.
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