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The Daily Insight

Is gaming a disorder?

Author

Ava Robinson

Updated on March 23, 2026

Recently, the WHO officially recognized "gaming disorder" as a mental health condition — adding the disorder to the International Classification of Diseases, or the ICD-11, the organization's official diagnostic manual, according to CBS News. Simply playing a lot of video games isn't enough to count as a disorder.

Then, is gaming a disease?

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

Likewise, is Internet gaming disorder an addiction? Internet Gaming in DSM-5

The DSM-5 includes substance-related addictive disorders, such as alcohol, tobacco, stimulants, marijuana and opioids. Gambling disorder is the only behavioral addiction (as opposed to substance use) identified in DSM-5.

Keeping this in consideration, what causes gaming disorder?

Moreover, video games affect the brain in the same way as addictive drugs: they trigger the release of dopamine, a chemical which reinforces behavior. For this reason, playing video games can be an addictive stimulus. These facts indicate that addiction to video games may be possible.

When did gaming addiction become classified as a disease?

The World Health Organization made video game addiction an official mental health disorder. The Geneva-headquartered organization added "Gaming disorder" to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems or "ICD-11," which goes into effect in January 2022.

Related Question Answers

Are gamers smarter?

Gamers are SMARTER and perform better at school: Study finds a link between playing games and higher intelligence in children. Playing video games has a positive effect on young children, improving their performance at school and their intelligence levels, according to a new study.

Does gaming cause depression?

Playing too many video games can make depression worse. Those who are addicted to gaming are twice as likely to be depressed as those who do not game. Excessive gaming can lead to dopamine exhaustion, emotional suppression, and lack of motivation, among other issues.

Does gaming cause anxiety?

Addiction to video games can contribute to depression, anxiety and low self-esteem in players, affecting them both psychologically and physically, a study has suggested.

Does playing video games rot your brain?

Violent shooter video games really DO rot your brain: Frequent players have less gray matter, study reveals. Playing violent 'shooter' video games can damage the brain and may even increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease, brain scans suggest. They also gave them copes of non-violent games from the Super Mario series.

Is gaming bad for your mental health?

Excessive video gaming is found to be associated with positive emotions and social relationships while playing. However, problematic and excessive video gaming is also associated with maladaptive coping strategies, negative emotions and attitudes, low self-esteem, loneliness, and poor academic performance.

Why do I get so frustrated with video games?

The amygdala is the part of our brain that governs our feeling of negative emotion. When we experience fear, anger, pain, frustration, or sadness, our amygdala lights up. However, fMRI studies have shown that if we start playing a video game when we experience these emotions, the amygdala starts to calm down.

Is PUBG an addiction?

Most interestingly, you can play PUBG with your friends and voice chat in real time! This is similar to the approach of the popular PC game Counterstrike, and because of the human connection with other players, it could get very addictive. "Most games, even the violent ones, test your skills and reflexes.

Do video games damage your eyes?

Because too much exposure to blue light at night can be disruptive to sleep rhythms, it's best to limit game playing to daylight hours. In addition to increasing the risk of computer eye syndrome, excessive video game use can cause eye discomfort, focusing problems, blurry vision and headaches.

How many hours of gaming is too much?

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no more than two hours per day of screen-based entertainment.

Do I have a gaming addiction?

Here are some signs that there might be a problem and it's time to get help: Constantly thinking about or wanting to play the game. Feeling irritable and restless (fidgety) when not playing. Underreporting or lying about how much time you've spent playing or playing in secret (such as in the middle of the night)

What does gaming do to your brain?

Research to date suggests that playing video games can change the brain regions responsible for attention and visuospatial skills and make them more efficient. Research to date suggests that playing video games can change the brain regions responsible for attention and visuospatial skills and make them more efficient.

How does gaming addiction affect your life?

“Consequences of video game addiction can showcase in a number of ways, including wrist, neck and elbow pain, skin blisters, calluses and sleep disorders. Long-term addiction could lead to obesity, weakness or numbness in the hands (peripheral neuropathy) and even blood clots,” Dr. Moberg says.

Why is gaming good for?

In layman's terms, playing video games directly affects and impacts regions of the brain responsible for memory, spatial orientation, information organizations, and fine motor skills. The study also reinforces the claim that, like exercise, playing games for as little as 30 minutes a day, can improve your life.

What is gaming addiction definition?

Video game addiction is compulsive or uncontrolled use of video games, in a way that causes problems in other areas of the person's life.

What are the risks of online gaming?

Online Gaming Risks and Kids: What to Know and How to Protect Them
  • Online Bullying and Harassment.
  • Viruses and Malware.
  • Phishing Scams and Account Takeovers.
  • Keeping Your Kids Safe.

Which age group is the fastest growing age group of gamers?

The age group with the highest increase in gaming time during the last year is gamers 26-45, who have increased their weekly playing time by more than 25 percent. Gamers 18-25 increased their playing time by 9.9 percent. Men play almost eight hours per week.

Are video games bad for you?

It's true that some studies have shown certain video games can improve hand–eye coordination, problem-solving skills, and the mind's ability to process information. But too much video game playing may cause problems. It's hard to get enough active play and exercise if you're always inside playing video games.

Is Internet gaming disorder in the DSM 5?

Internet gaming disorder (IGD) has been included in the 5th edition of The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).

Should gaming addiction be considered a medical condition?

In May 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) finally took an official stance; gaming disorder will be classified as a medical illness in ICD-11.

Is social media addiction in the DSM?

In the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) it's listed as a "condition for further study." Researchers have yet to approach a consensus as to whether perceived excessive time spent on the internet and engaged with internet-based social media is an addictive behavioral disorder.

Is Internet disorder identified as a separate disorder?

Some researchers and mental health practitioners see excessive Internet use as a symptom of another disorder such as anxiety or depression rather than a separate entity [e.g. 18]. Internet addiction could be considered an Impulse control disorder (not otherwise specified).

What does the DSM 5 stand for?

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM5)

How is mental disorder defined in the DSM 5?

This is readily apparent in the DSM-5's proposed definition, which says that a mental disorder is “a behavioral or psychological syndrome or pattern that occurs in an individual.” What does this mean? To start with, it means that disorders are internal.

WHO declared gaming as mental disorder?

The World Health Organization (WHO) officially recognized gaming disorder over the weekend as a part of its 11th edition of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). This was a decision the industry was awaiting since the WHO detailed its intentions last summer.

Do video games drive obesity?

Along with this goes the widespread notion that frequent gaming contributes to obesity. However, the analysis revealed only a small correlation between video game playing and excess weight or body mass. Only one percent of a person's overweight can thus be attributed to time spent playing computer games.