Introduction
Every one of us may have played games once in a while. In the old days there used to be a game play on real fields and arena and used to be classified as indoor games and outdoor games. But game these days are being played more indoor; i.e. computers games, mobiles, and other electronic devices. If there is persistent playing of the game online or offline which hampers an individual’s daily routine there is a name given by World Health Organization ICD- 11th revision as Gaming Disorder.
Firstly, know about the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), it is the basis of identification of health trends and statistics globally and the international standard for reporting diseases and health condition. ICD is the global information standard for mortality and morbidity statistics. More than 100 countries use the system to report mortality data, a primary indicator of health status.
Gaming disorder is characterized by the pattern of gaming behavior which might be digital-gaming or video-gaming which may be online or offline. The pattern of gaming behavior may be continuous or episodic and repeated. The gaming behavior and other features are normally evident over a period of at least months in order for a diagnosis to be assigned but the duration might be shortened if all diagnostic requirements are met and symptoms are brutal.
Computer/electronic gaming disorders can me measurably classified as
- Gaming Disorder predominantly online
- Gaming Disorder predominantly offline
Gaming Disorder predominantly online
Gaming disorder, predominantly online is characterized by a pattern of persistent or recurrent gaming behavior that can be digital gaming or video gaming, that is primarily conducted over the internet. The manifestation of this type of gaming disorder is given as follows:
- Impaired control over gaming
- Increasing priority is 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 behavior pattern is sufficient severity to result in significant impairment in personal, family social, educational, occupational or other important areas of functioning.
Gaming Disorder predominantly offline
Gaming disorder, predominantly offline is characterized by a pattern of persistent or recurrent gaming behavior that is not primarily conducted over the internet. The manifestation of such type of disorder is similar to the disorder predominantly occurring due to online by difference being this does not occur in the presence of internet.
All the gaming disorder may affect a person’s social, family, work, personal and educational life.
According to some research, gaming addiction may co-occur with other mood disorders, such as depression, anxiety disorders, and stress.
Should all people who engage in gaming be concerned about developing gaming disorder?
Mainly gaming disorders affect only a small portion of people who are engaged in digital gaming activities. However, if you are playing gaming frequently, you should be careful about the time that you spend on gaming activities. Gaming should not hamper your daily activities as well as to any changes in their physical or psychological health and social functioning that could be attributed to their pattern of gaming behavior.
References
- https://icd.who.int/browse11/l-m/en#/http%3a%2f%2fid.who.int%2ficd%2fentity%2f718071594
- https://ec.europa.eu/cefdigital/wiki/display/EHSEMANTIC/ICD-11%3A+The+11th+Revision+of+the+International+Classification+of+Diseases
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322478.php
- https://www.who.int/features/qa/gaming-disorder/en/
- https://icd.who.int/browse11/l- https://www.who.int/features/qa/gaming-disorder/en/m/en#/http%3a%2f%2fid.who.int%2ficd%2fentity%2f338347362
- https://www.who.int/classifications/icd/factsheet/en/