Your fortnite addiction might just be an official illness.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Saturday adopted the latest update to its International Classification of Diseases (ICD), which adds "gaming disorder" to its list of modern diseases.
The organisation last June added gaming addiction under its section of potentially harmful technology-related behaviours, including too much use of "the internet, computers, smartphones" and more.
Despite opposition from trade groups, which reportedly pointed to contradictory research on the subject and touted some of the virtues of video games, the latest ICD was officially approved at the 72nd World Health Assembly.
"Gaming disorder" lives under the "disorders due to addictive behaviour" section of the ICD. It's described as "a pattern of persistent or recurrent gaming behavior, which may be online or offline, manifested by impaired control over gaming, increasing priority 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 issue of gaming addiction isn't new: The American Psychiatric Association still has it listed as up for discussion in the latest version of its diagnostic bible, the DSM-5.
The American Medical Association backed away from "video game addiction" in 2007.
Latest Stories
-
2024 All Africa Challenge Trophy: Morocco to host Women’s Golf event slated for November 28
2 hours -
Man City throw away 3-0 lead to draw with Feyenood
4 hours -
Ghanaians, your vote matters: Let us secure the future with Dr. Bawumia
4 hours -
Saka stars as Arsenal thrash Sporting
4 hours -
Black Queens friendlies against Senegal and Tunisia in limbo due to lack of $40k
4 hours -
Salah not distracted by contract talks – Slot
4 hours -
Lewandowski reaches 100 Champions League goals
4 hours -
Traders at Mallam Atta Market give Bawumia rousing reception
4 hours -
World’s oldest man dies aged 112
4 hours -
With God all things are possible – Bawumia to worshipers at Hebron Prayer Camp
4 hours -
Are 300,000 migrant children missing in the US?
4 hours -
Trump proves he is serious on tariffs – but it’s not about trade
4 hours -
Bawumia to commission electric buses on Wednesday
4 hours -
CSIR-SARI encourages farmers in Northern Ghana to embrace newly developed climate-smart, high-yielding Cowpea variety
4 hours -
Biden announces Israel and Hezbollah ceasefire deal agreed
4 hours