The pedagogical community and physicians have been sounding alarm for a long time that an excessive passion for computer games very quickly develops into addiction. This means that game addiction is compared to other psychological diseases (such as tobacco smoking, alcoholism, drug addiction). It is well-known that independent struggle with such an addiction in children and adolescents, as well as in adults, may prove too difficult for them.
Finally, the fact of recognizing game addiction as a disease was admitted at the global level: computer games addiction was included in the 11th version of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) adopted by the World Health Organization (WHO). This happened at the 72nd session of the General Assembly on May 25 in Geneva and was ratified by WHO Member States. Excessive immersion in the world of computer games was classified by WHO as a “gaming disorder” and listed immediately after addiction to gambling.
Three manifestations of this disease in addicts were identified:
- loss of real-time feeling during the game;
- preference for computer games compared to other vital interests;
- continuation of the game despite the possible troubles or negative consequences.
- WHO has officially announced computer games addiction a disease (3 photos)
Despite the criticism and different opinion from the gaming industry organizations, such as the ESA, ISFE, and UKIE, gaming disorder will officially be recognized as a disease according to the ICD-11 list from January 1, 2022.
