Gaming - Enjoyment or A mental condition?

Gaming - Enjoyment or A mental condition?

Do you love playing video games, mobile games? If yes, then you have to be  cautious... It's no more normal now. That can cost you more than it's purchasing amount. Too much of gaming might be considered as a mental disorder. World Health Organisation(WHO) has recently added gaming in a mental category and not only this, 194 countries have agreed to WHO. 

What is exactly gaming disorder?

According to the WHO- "Gaming disorder is defined in the 11th Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) as a pattern of gaming behavior (“digital-gaming” or “video-gaming”) characterized by impaired control over gaming, increasing priority given to gaming over other activities to the extent that gaming takes precedence over other interests and daily activities, and continuation or escalation of gaming despite the occurrence of negative consequences."

Although, Gaming Disorder shares few similarities with the Internet  gaming disorder(IGD), a condition which the American Psychiatric Association (APA) have labeled in their Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental disorders (DSM-5) , the APA still does not considers IGD as an official condition.

Mental signs and symptoms 

• Gets anxious, restless and/or irritability if unable to play.
• Escape from reality.
• Depression.
• Stress.
• Isolating self.
• Dependency. 
• Change in eating orders.
• Sleeping disorders.
• Loss of control.

Physical signs and symptoms.

• Fatigue.
• Headaches.
• Carpal tunnel syndrome caused by the overuse of a controller or computer mouse.
• Poor personal hygiene.

Diagnosis

It is WHO, who defines the behaviors that may lead to a diagnosis of gaming disorder, however it is uncertain how the professionals will assess these behaviors.

Experts will probably need to devise diagnostic test, such as questionnaires and structured interviews, to help determine whether or not someone has gaming disorder. They may use something similar to the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale (IGDS), a standard measure of computer and video game addiction.

Treatment

As gaming disorder and Internet gaming disorder have some common behaviors, the psychology professionals do use few similar techniques to treat gaming disorder.

Other than the professionals help, the family can also support the person to get back to his normal sooner.

• Taking care of hygiene around him.
• Monitoring his eating habits.
• Taking him for outings, cafes, parks,etc
• Keeping a watch on his sleep schedule.
• Companions can assist him with the chores.
• Engaging in other activities instead of gaming.

You have to fight against the bad days, to earn the best days of your life.

References
https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/gaming-disorder
https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/internet-gaming
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322478
https://www.psychguides.com/behavioral-disorders/video-game-addiction/