Near announced the recognition of a game dependence by a mental illness

To confirm the diagnosis, the patient will need to follow the year.

The World Health Organization intends to amend the international classification of diseases and recognize the dependence on video games with a mental illness. The last time this list was updated in 1990.

The updated version of the classification will be published in 2018. The name of the disease, as well as the criteria for its diagnosis, are not yet known. In the existing draft one of the criteria, the priority of games in relation to other interests is indicated . However, patient behavior must be explored by the year before confirming the diagnosis.

Member of the Department of Mental Health WHO Vladimir Poznyak explained that dependence on games can bear "serious consequences for health."

Many people who play games have no addiction. Just like many who drink alcohol. However, in some cases, addiction can lead to adverse consequences.

Vladimir Poznyak

The initiative also has critics - many believe that making a game dependence to the list of diseases will only be a reason to stigmatize people and depreciate the “real” problems. According to the university in Ayov, from 4 to 10% of children around the world are dependent on video games.

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