If you’re playing Fortnite, Forza, Destiny, or any video game for hours on end and can’t put the controller down. Well, you might have a problem and the World Health Organization says you have a mental health problem. The Organization has officially classified obsessive gaming as, gaming disorder. The World Health Organization is part of The United Nations and in their latest draft of disease classifications, they list gaming disorder as a new mental health problem.
Now doctors, and insurance companies can use this classification to treat those who may be overly connected to their video games. According to the document, gaming disorder can be diagnosed when individuals cannot control their gaming behavior and the behavior takes over their daily life.
“The behavior pattern is of sufficient severity to result in significant impairment in personal, family, social, educational, occupational or other important areas of functioning,” warned ICD-11, noting that the behavioral pattern may be continual, episodic, or recurrent.
Addiction to the game Fortnite, in particular, is being scrutinized as many kids spend time and money on it, even getting scammed in the process.
Like anything, gaming disorder can be avoided. Teaching kids to have balance between gaming, chores, responsibility, and relationships is key. If you just allow them free reign to play at will, well, then you’re asking for trouble.
Dr. Umran Ali, senior lecturer in creative media at the University of Salford in the United Kingdom, offered advice to gamers and their parents about cultivating a healthy interest in gaming instead of getting addicted.
He said that while there is “nothing particularly addictive” in Fortnite design, it can be easily learned by younger children, doesn’t require so much time, and isn’t repetitive like others.
“There is an incredibly rich social aspect, albeit a virtual one, with games like Fornite – ignore the tabloids and see it for yourself, or even better start playing games with your children,” said Ali, who teaches students in video game design.
We may or may not have a couple of chaps at Techaeris with gaming disorder. Maybe they need to seek some help? All joking aside. Most of us don’t allow gaming to control our lives, but there are some who do. For those people, seeking help is important.
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[button link=”https://www.techtimes.com/articles/231363/20180628/fortnite-addiction-now-a-recognized-mental-health-disorder-what-health-experts-say.htm” icon=”fa-external-link” side=”left” target=”blank” color=”285b5e” textcolor=”ffffff”]Source: Tech Times[/button]Last Updated on February 3, 2021.
