WHO says excessive gaming is officially a disorder

Games may help the human brain in ways only the gamers want to believe. However, the World Health Organisation has officially labelled excessive gaming as a disorder.

The WHO announced in its official release that the member states agreed to adopt the 11th revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-11) which adds 'Gaming Disorder' to the section on addictive disorders.

Gaming disorder is characterised by a pattern of persistent or recurrent gaming behaviour which may or may not be online. It is defined by WHO as manifested by impaired control over gaming, increased priority is given to gaming, continuation despite negative consequences.

The revised ICD-11 will come into effect on 1 January 2022.