Audio By Carbonatix
Your fortnite addiction might just be an official illness.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Saturday adopted the latest update to its International Classification of Diseases (ICD), which adds "gaming disorder" to its list of modern diseases.
The organisation last June added gaming addiction under its section of potentially harmful technology-related behaviours, including too much use of "the internet, computers, smartphones" and more.
Despite opposition from trade groups, which reportedly pointed to contradictory research on the subject and touted some of the virtues of video games, the latest ICD was officially approved at the 72nd World Health Assembly.
"Gaming disorder" lives under the "disorders due to addictive behaviour" section of the ICD. It's described as "a pattern of persistent or recurrent gaming behavior, which may be online or offline, manifested by impaired control over gaming, increasing priority given to gaming to the extent that gaming takes precedence over other life interests and daily activities and continuation or escalation of gaming despite the occurrence of negative consequences."
The issue of gaming addiction isn't new: The American Psychiatric Association still has it listed as up for discussion in the latest version of its diagnostic bible, the DSM-5.
The American Medical Association backed away from "video game addiction" in 2007.
Latest Stories
-
Ibrahim Mahama offers to support xenophobic attack victim evacuated to Ghana
1 minute -
Wife accuses Police Inspector husband of sexually abusing teenage daughter
6 minutes -
Azamati urged me to break his 100m NR – Saminu
10 minutes -
2nd Adventist Edition of McDan Youth Connect inspires hope and enterprise
12 minutes -
Health Minister launches Free Primary Healthcare policy in Oti Region
18 minutes -
I started as a goalkeeper – Ibrahim Fuseini reveals football past
19 minutes -
Education Minister, Civil Service Council stress innovation and professionalism
22 minutes -
President Mahama announces Gh₵3b revolving fund for affordable housing for public workers
31 minutes -
President Mahama cuts sod for Green City Housing project, announces major housing reset
39 minutes -
Ibrahim Fuseini calls for stronger collaborations to improve Inter-Co
42 minutes -
GSE suffers sharp weekly decline this week as market cap sheds GH¢12.5bn
1 hour -
Ghana’s Jamil Maraby outdoored as President of WAFU Zone B Marketing Committee
2 hours -
Putin denounces Nato at scaled back Victory Day parade
3 hours -
Humility and hard work will take you far — Dr Amin Adam to students
3 hours -
Dr Amin Adam urges students to embrace failure and resilience
3 hours