The Rock & Roll Shrink Radio Show Episode 38 - Gaming Addiction

Let’s talk tonight about Gaming Addiction.

An article was published on January 4th, 2018, by Gamespot.com, in which they called attention to the fact that The World Health Organization plans to add "gaming disorder" in its list of mental health conditions. And I quote: "The World Health Organization, the public health division of the United Nations, has released its newest list of classified diseases--and "gaming disorder" is included. A draft of the WHO's International Classification of Diseases (ICD) describes this as being characterized by a "pattern of persistent or recurrent gaming behaviour" online or offline.

The description goes on to say that gaming disorders can include the following: "1) impaired control over gaming (e.g., onset, frequency, intensity, duration, termination, context); 2) increasing priority given to gaming to the extent that gaming takes precedence over other life interests and daily activities; and 3) continuation or escalation of gaming despite the occurrence of negative consequences."

Our regular listeners of this show may be well aware that we do not support the disease model of addiction on this show. Let's start by reviewing how we define Disease and Addiction. We will explain, discuss, and analyze this proposal, and critique their findings with regards to this new declaration. We will review a little bit about the addiction model in general, and how it may or may not actually apply to modern gaming.

We look forward to exploring this new development, and helping our listeners understand what it means for gamers and the mental health community.