"Gaming Disorder" classified as a mental illness by WHO - NHS to offer treatment

"Gaming Disorder" classified as a mental illness by WHO - NHS to offer treatment

Perhaps a less general term for the disorder would have been better...



Read more about "Gaming Disorder" classified as a mental illness by World Health Organisation.

To me it's the same as any other addiction which in my opinion (as a non-medical professional) doesn't need to be separated as a specific disease.

Somebody can be addicted to anything to the point it impacts their ability to function; games, porn, gambling, sex, alcohol, etc. Anything that gives that person a reason to do it to the exclusion of other necessary elements of life, which can vary from the obvious such as substance abuse to the weird random stuff that we all hear about from time to time.

Of course how you treat these diseases varies not only on the item or activity that it is based around but also on the individual as well. I just hope that this helps those with a genuine problem and doesn't tarnish those of us who have gaming as a central hobby in our lives yet are still functioning members of society.

I wonder if they classify and offer the same treatment for kids that play soccer every day... I didn't think so...

You no take candle!

Daiyus said:

To me it's the same as any other addiction which in my opinion (as a non-medical professional) doesn't need to be separated as a specific disease.

Somebody can be addicted to anything to the point it impacts their ability to function; games, porn, gambling, sex, alcohol, etc. Anything that gives that person a reason to do it to the exclusion of other necessary elements of life, which can vary from the obvious such as substance abuse to the weird random stuff that we all hear about from time to time.

Of course how you treat these diseases varies not only on the item or activity that it is based around but also on the individual as well. I just hope that this helps those with a genuine problem and doesn't tarnish those of us who have gaming as a central hobby in our lives yet are still functioning members of society.

Click to expand...

I think it is more aimed at those failing school/dropping out, or losing jobs etc, simply because they can't tear themselves away from the screen for longer than 5mins.

Old friend of mine became so hooked in WoW that he did indeed drop out of university. He's doing ok now, but 4 years of school fees that need to be repaid for nothing... In my eyes it should be recognised. Asia has it worse. 14 year old kills a 12yr old girl for her earrings to pay for internet gaming. It isn't a rare occurance there. Theft and crime to fund gaming is rife.

hmmmmm
I am all over the place about this.
This is an addiction, addictions in most case are formed due to other circumstances, normally other parts of life. You either get addicted to the enjoyment or you turn to it as a release, making sure that it doesn't become a problem is all in self control.
It is a problem, It is an addiction but did it need its own label? I mean treatment would be the same as any other psychological addictions.
Or are we going to wean people off using less addictive games or something???

demonking said:

hmmmmm
I am all over the place about this.
This is an addiction, addictions in most case are formed due to other circumstances, normally other parts of life. You either get addicted to the enjoyment or you turn to it as a release, making sure that it doesn't become a problem is all in self control.
It is a problem, It is an addiction but did it need its own label? I mean treatment would be the same as any other psychological addictions.
Or are we going to wean people off using less addictive games or something???

Click to expand...

Has nothing to do with the method. It is all about the fact that since its now recognised on NHS. You can get help on the taxpayer expense. Before that, if you needed help as some genuinely do. It would come out of your own pocket.

Warchild said:

Has nothing to do with the method. It is all about the fact that since its now recognised on NHS. You can get help on the taxpayer expense. Before that, if you needed help as some genuinely do. It would come out of your own pocket.

Click to expand...

Agree with getting help, disagree with giving it a label. But that is the only way anything gets treated on the NHS. Stupid IMO.
The only label should be psychological addiction and/or physical addiction, That way anyone who has a problem controlling themselves can get help. Physical addictions should be treated differently due to the risk involved. I am addicted to tea, I drink about 20 cups a day, I cannot cope without tea. When I last saw my GP they asked me do I drink tea or coffee, yes about 20 cups a day. oh you should cut that down the doctor says. Do I smoke, yes a little, well here is ten million reasons to stop, here are leaflets on smoking and here is a service dedicated to giving and highly recommend you refer. Tea addiction is not even an issue to the NHS because it does not have a label and its wrong.

The average child spends 20 - 25 hours a week gaming.... amateurs! That's a warm up sesh. OK jokes aside, we saw this coming I have nephews and my missus has 4 sons who all game for rediculous lengths of time. My brother and sister manage their kids by giving them allotted time to game other than that they go out and play, now the missus youngest came into our room Saturday night 11:30 wanting his mums password so he could validate Fortnite on his phone, 11:30!!!? He was sent to bed at 9:30 with no phone, he then had a sulk because all his friends were playing it and we wouldn't let him.. he's 11 for christs sake!

All this needs is stricter parenting and other activities to be introduced, problem solved.

Wraith said:

All this needs is stricter parenting and other activities to be introduced, problem solved.

Click to expand...

Very much THIS! How many years will this go on before we learn. It started with consoles, like the Atari 2600. That was one of the first instances where lazy parents learned that all they needed to do was buy an electronic toy and it could babysit their kids for them. It's been happening forever. Lazy parenting could be blamed for a LOT of todays societal ills.

This is 100% down to bad parenting. Nothing else.

N0ddie said:

This is 100% down to bad parenting. Nothing else.

Click to expand...

Comments like this get to me. Its not even close to being accurate. When will people stop assuming its all about kids

So whats the excuse of grown adults who game for 10hours or more every day, never go out, don't work because they can't tear themselves away from their PC?

I scratch my head at some people on here spending 8hours gaming in one session. Even that to me is a sign of potential addiction.

My close friend a grown adult of 34 years, lost his job, almost all his friends, his wife, and all traces of an actual social life after becoming addicted to world of warcraft. Nothing wrong with his upbringing. He was raised in a good family where family came first, good education, good outlook on life. He was on his way to graduating with a mechanical degree. He still hasn't sought help and he is still spending all his time sat at his desk living on energy drinks and quick/fatty food.

Age has jack s**t to do with it. Yes parenting can be a factor but is just a minor detail into the whole issue. Defining gaming addiction is tough. As I said in my first comment, 8hours gaming in 1 day straight to me is an addiction. I don't know how people have the time to do such a thing.

Warchild said:

Comments like this get to me. Its not even close to being accurate. When will people stop assuming its all about kids

So whats the excuse of grown adults who game for 10hours or more every day, never go out, don't work because they can't tear themselves away from their PC?

I scratch my head at some people on here spending 8hours gaming in one session. Even that to me is a sign of potential addiction.

My close friend a grown adult of 34 years, lost his job, almost all his friends, his wife, and all traces of an actual social life after becoming addicted to world of warcraft. Nothing wrong with his upbringing. He was raised in a good family where family came first, good education, good outlook on life. He was on his way to graduating with a mechanical degree. He still hasn't sought help and he is still spending all his time sat at his desk living on energy drinks and quick/fatty food.

Age has jack s**t to do with it. Yes parenting can be a factor but is just a minor detail into the whole issue. Defining gaming addiction is tough. As I said in my first comment, 8hours gaming in 1 day straight to me is an addiction. I don't know how people have the time to do such a thing.

Click to expand...

A close friend of mine was living with his girlfriend, going to college, and had a job. His WoW habit got so bad that he stopped going to work and school (didn't bother to quit, just stopped going) and his girlfriend ended up leaving him because all he did during waking hours was play WoW.

After a few years he realized what he had done and moved back home with his parents to turn his life around. He still games, but he's been able to balance it with his life and is now married, has a good career and owns a house.

I do think someone could be addicted, but I feel the vast majority of people that claim addiction simply don't feel like doing anything else. Game or work? Game or school? Hmm, I'd rather game too!

When WOW first came out I'd get home from work say hi to my Mrs and play to silly hours in the morning, I got really hooked and it wasn't untill my Mrs started packing that I got how bad I was treating her a 10 year relationship nearly ended and if she had gone so would my job as it was her who kicked me out of bed in the mornings.

Honestly it's surprising how it sneaks up on you and before you know it's everything you think about

As somebody who is quite mentally impaired I will say that I do not believe in these disorders. Or drug addiction, or alcoholism.

Underneath that there is something else wrong. For example, as an aspie I have done many things to extremes. Extremes that you guys probably wouldn't have thought possible. However, I've managed it. Gorged on things until they literally made me sick.

My ex was a supposed "alcoholic" then she had a stroke, so decided to get herself mentally checked over. Within weeks they diagnosed her with Bipolar disorder. Which tbh? having lived with her? I would say would be about spot on. She also scored quite high as an aspie, but I would guess she was more of a sociopath.

She hid that with drink. Literally drank herself to the point of nearly dying. She also had a gastric band, because she used to gorge herself on food and it was totally out of control.

But again alcohol was not at fault, IMO. It was her, and she had far more wrong with her.

Kids that play far too much games? yeah, I would get them evaluated on the autistic spectrum and see how they score.

Greenback said:

When WOW first came out I'd get home from work say hi to my Mrs and play to silly hours in the morning, I got really hooked and it wasn't untill my Mrs started packing that I got how bad I was treating her a 10 year relationship nearly ended and if she had gone so would my job as it was her who kicked me out of bed in the mornings.

Honestly it's surprising how it sneaks up on you and before you know it's everything you think about

Click to expand...

Exactly, it's so easy to miss the signals that you are actually addicted to something, so I find it funny when people claim this isn't a sickness/mental problem

Your brain craves it, your body provides it. How is that not a disorder. I don't care if people say "coming from someone who is <autistic/has ADD/asbergers/insert issue here>, I don't see this as a disorder", well good for you. I see it as a sickness, the NHS now sees it and thank god people can get the help they need. Sadly considering its not detrimental to the body like substances, seeking help yourself may be a more difficult step to take given many will be in denial and not see it as harmful.

I get that there maybe nothing else to do in your neighbourhood. But to spend the whole day doing it, that is an issue to me. You get out of life what you put into it, while I love gaming in moderation, I would never spend all my time doing it. I get bored of doing the same thing, I need to rotate.

Things like what Alien does with his bikes/Amps etc, that's a perfect hobby to tear yourself away.

Now the thing that has me most curious, is what kind of treatment to they have planned for this. The friend I mentioned still lives in the UK so having someone who was almost like a "bestie" turn into a distant shadow is tough.

Warchild said:

Exactly, it's so easy to miss the signals that you are actually addicted to something, so I find it funny when people claim this isn't a sickness/mental problem

Your brain craves it, your body provides it. How is that not a disorder. I don't care if people say "coming from someone who is <autistic/has ADD/asbergers/insert issue here>, I don't see this as a disorder", well good for you. I see it as a sickness, the NHS now sees it and thank god people can get the help they need. Sadly considering its not detrimental to the body like substances, seeking help yourself may be a more difficult step to take given many will be in denial and not see it as harmful.

I get that there maybe nothing else to do in your neighbourhood. But to spend the whole day doing it, that is an issue to me. You get out of life what you put into it, while I love gaming in moderation, I would never spend all my time doing it. I get bored of doing the same thing, I need to rotate.

Things like what Alien does with his bikes/Amps etc, that's a perfect hobby to tear yourself away.

Now the thing that has me most curious, is what kind of treatment to they have planned for this. The friend I mentioned still lives in the UK so having someone who was almost like a "bestie" turn into a distant shadow is tough.

Click to expand...

There is a huge problem in the UK at the moment. A huge problem.

Basically if you are diagnosed by a professional with a condition that meets the requirements then there is money for you. For many years I had absolutely nothing (no more than a dosser who lives on the dole) which wasn't cool, given my life can be expensive. Like, taxis because I am agoraphobic and so on. None of that comes cheap. So, once you are diagnosed and you qualify then there are several means of getting financial help.

But.

The UK govt has realised this, and thus they have instructed doctors and psychiatrists to limit the number of people they diagnose, hence reducing the costs to the govt.

When we hit that recession in 2008 the first thing out of my mouth to my mother was "Uh oh, here it comes... They are going to make the sick and needy and poor pay for this". I refer, of course, to the big banking F up where they basically lost most of our cash.

And believe me when I say this, the Tories have committed genocide on the sick, disabled and mentally ill. That is where they are clawing back the cash. So yes, they have these benefits and on the surface it all looks great, but they are becoming almost impossible to get.

My mother has a friend, and her daughter has a child with this severe disorder. Like, the kid can't even talk and just sits there dribbling. And the doctors etc will not diagnose the child with the disorder he has because they know full well if they do then she will be able to claim all of these benefits.

About 18 months ago my mobility allowance (that I was using for taxis and so on) was stopped, because a Conservative mental health "professional" asked me to walk 6ft and then declared I did not need any help. Even though I am agoraphobic, autistic and have Bipolar disorder. They actually broke EU law and regulation.

So yeah, getting diagnosed with one of the big 5? (like Autism, Bipolar etc) is becoming close to impossible. They even have code numbers now for mental illnesses and they dictate what you quality for financially.

Now don't get me wrong I do OK and I have a reasonable life now I am getting the help I need. My brother doesn't like it, of course. He thinks I should be living in poverty for not going to work but I just think he doesn't understand it. At all. Why should I live like a pauper because I am too sick for anything else?

My dads DLA was revoked too and he had survived 4 fecking heart attacks. Sadly 5th one got him. But your Gov thought that since he could walk 50m without pausing, he didnt need it.

I also saw an article of a guy taking his own life because he was denied universal credit whatever that is. He couldnt afford to live. It saddens me to see a country reduced to this. While I hated the attitudes of many british, no one deserves to struggle like that.

I know what you mean AA, It's taken 9 years to get my son his special needs that the health visitor picked up on when he was 2 years old, they don't even start the process untill 6 years old for ADHD, then longer to go through his educational needs so instead of having 6 years in a special needs school he may get 2 if he is lucky enough to get a place this year before going to secondary school.

A family close to me has an autistic child and he wasn't able to get into a special needs school untill he was 8.5 even though he was being sent home from school at least 3 days a week.