Gaming disorder as a distinct disease is drawing much criticism from WHO. Even psychologists reject this designation.
Some days ago, we already reported that the World Health Organization (WHO) wants to include a disease triggered by video games in the definitions of known diseases for the first time. The so-called “gaming disorder” describes a particular form of addiction triggered by video games.
On the internet, the home of most gamers, the WHO’s announcement faced heavy criticism. This is just another attempt to stigmatize gamers for pursuing a hobby that some people find incomprehensible.
ESA considers gaming disorder “irresponsible”
There was also criticism from official sides, such as the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), which organizes the E3 every year. In a statement, the ESA explains that “the WHO knows that common sense and objective research results show that games are not addictive. To stamp this with an ‘official stamp’ would irresponsibly trivialize real mental illnesses, such as depression or social phobias, that require treatment and the attention of medical professionals.” Furthermore, “they advise the WHO to reconsider this assessment.”
With this demand and assessment, the ESA is not alone. The American Psychological Association also does not recognize this “gamer disease” as a distinct addiction. The reasoning behind this is that there are doubts whether the “gaming disorder” needs its own classification and cannot already be classified with other addictions.
What do you think about the topic of “gaming disorder”? Should the addiction to video games be recognized as a distinct illness? Or should the WHO stay away from it until more studies are available?
