If you think you have a gaming problem, you might be right. New Scientist reports ($) that the World Health Organization will include gaming disorders in its updated International Classification of Diseases in 2018. But there’s some debate about whether or not it’s a good idea.
The definition: The WHO will diagnose someone as having a gaming disorder if playing video games “takes precedence over other life interests,” continues even if it causes negative impacts on other aspects of life, and persists, usually for a year or more.
The case against: Allen Frances at Duke University in North Carolina warns New Scientist that it could lead to a flood of people being diagnosed with conditions when they’re actually just passionate. “Perhaps hundreds of millions of recreational gamers without severe impairment will likely be … overtreated,” he says.
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