FactSentinel

The World Health Organization officially recognized "gaming disorder" as a diagnosable mental health condition when it included the classification in the 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases, known as ICD-11. This classification system, adopted by WHO member states in May 2019 and taking effect in January 2022, serves as the global standard for diagnosing diseases and health conditions used by medical professionals worldwide.

According to WHO's diagnostic criteria, gaming disorder is characterized by a pattern of persistent or recurrent gaming behavior that becomes so severe it takes precedence over other life interests and daily activities. Key indicators include impaired control over gaming habits, increasing priority given to gaming despite negative consequences, and continuation or escalation of gaming despite clear harm to personal, family, social, educational, or occupational functioning. For a diagnosis to apply, this pattern must typically be evident over a period of at least 12 months and cause significant impairment in the person's life.

A common misconception is that this classification pathologizes gaming as a hobby or labels frequent gamers as having a disorder. WHO officials have clarified that gaming disorder affects only a small percentage of people who play video games, and most gamers, even those who play extensively, do not meet the clinical threshold. The classification specifically targets behavior patterns causing genuine dysfunction, similar to other behavioral addictions like gambling disorder, which was recognized earlier.