A “gaming disorder” could become a proper medical condition should a draft of the updated International Classification of Diseases manual be approved unamended roughly a year from now.
A proposed definition of “gaming disorder” appeared in the newest version of the International Classification of Diseases – the 11th revision of which is in development and has been for a few years – published this morning.
The 10th revision of the ICD, implemented by many countries in their national health policies, is 26 years old, having been approved in 1992. We first heard word of its inclusion back in January this year.
The current version of ICD-11 defines “gaming disorder” as:
“Characterised by a pattern of persistent or recurrent gaming behaviour, which may be online or offline, manifested by: 1) impaired control over gaming (e.g., onset, frequency, intensity, duration, termination, context); 2) increasing priority given to gaming to the extent that gaming takes precedence over other life interests and daily activities; and 3) continuation or escalation of gaming despite the occurrence of negative consequences.
“We welcome the inclusion of gaming disorder in ICD-11” -The Department of Health & Social Care
“The behaviour pattern is of sufficient severity to result in significant impairment in personal, family, social, educational, occupational or other important areas of functioning. The pattern of gaming behaviour may be continuous or episodic and recurrent. The gaming behaviour and other features are normally evident over a period of at least 12 months in order for a diagnosis to be assigned, although the required duration may be shortened if all diagnostic requirements are met and symptoms are severe.”
The Department of Health & Social Care told me today it welcomes the inclusion of “gaming disorder” in the ICD.
“Very large numbers of people play games on- and off-line,” a spokesperson said. “For the vast majority it is a recreational activity. But research shows that for a small number their gaming can become harmful, or an addiction.
“We welcome the inclusion of gaming disorder in ICD-11, which will over time help to understand the true prevalence of harmful gaming.”
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But the inclusion of “gaming disorder” has caused concern across the games industry – so much so global gaming organisations have come together to issue a joint statement in reaction to the news.
The statement, co-signed by (big breath) UKIE, ESA, EGDF, IESA, ESAC, IGEA, ISFE, KGAMES and UBV&G, reads:
“Video games across all kinds of genres, devices and platforms are enjoyed safely and sensibly by more than 2 billion people worldwide, with the educational, therapeutic, and recreational value of games being well-founded and widely recognised. We are therefore concerned to see ‘gaming disorder’ still contained in the latest version of the WHO’s ICD-11 despite significant opposition from the medical and scientific community. The evidence for its inclusion remains highly contested and inconclusive.