CHONGQING (CQNEWS) -- WHO (the World Health Organization) added “gaming disorder” into the International Classification of Diseases of the 11th edition (ICD-11) released recently and included it as a mental disease. The WHO will notify the government of each country to include the gaming disorder into the medical system.

Printscreen from the official website of WHO

Symptoms of gaming disorder in the latest classification include: indulging in the single-player or online games immoderately, ignoring other interests, hobbies and daily activities due to excessive games, wallowing in games while knowing the adverse effects, etc.

According to the WHO, related behaviors can be diagnosed after lasting at least 12 months, and the observation period before definite diagnosis can be shortened in case of any serious symptoms. The new edition will be submitted to the World Health Assembly held in May 2019 for final approval, and will take effect on January 1, 2022.

For disputes arising from the issue listing “gaming disorder” as a mental disease, Professor Liu Yong from Neurology Department of Xinqiao Hospital of Army Medical University pointed out that people should consider the adverse effects of physical and psychological health arising from “gaming disorder”; people may seek help from a psychotherapist or psychiatrist while facing similar issues.

Professor Liu Yong pointed out that people should treat the harm of “gaming disorder” for physical and psychological health in a correct way, and listing it as a mental disease may help guide such patients to regular medical treatment. From the psychological perspective, playing games is just an entertainment, rather than an addiction, while “gaming disorder” players may be accompanied by other potential problems, such as depression and infantile autism. Experts suggest that such people should seek help from a psychotherapist or psychiatrist as soon as possible, to know the potential psychological disease correctly and adopt early intervention. This may help avoid more serious consequences caused by “gaming disorder”. (Translated by Xu Pengfei, Fathom Language Limited)