World Health Organisation now lists "hazardous gaming" as health disorder Eurogamer.net If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy. World Health Organisation now lists "hazardous gaming" as health disorder And "gaming disorder" as an addiction. News by Tom Phillips Deputy Editor Updated on 22 May 2019 48 comments The World Health Organisation has listed several gaming-related conditions in its updated International Compendium of Diseases. The latest draft of the document is available to view online - and new entries for both "gaming disorder" and "hazardous gaming" are now included. Gaming disorder is listed under "disorders due to substance use or addictive behaviour", and filed alongside addictive gambling. The WHO characterises it as "a pattern of persistent or recurrent gaming behaviour" where the sufferer lacks control over how often or how much they play games, where their behaviour "takes precedence over other life interests and daily activities" and continues to do so despite "the occurrence of negative consequences". "The behaviour pattern is of sufficient severity to result in significant impairment in personal, family, social, educational, occupational or other important areas of functioning," the WHO described. These patterns of behaviour would usually have to be present for at least a year to earn the above diagonosis, the WHO noted, although this period could be shortened if symptoms were "severe". Hazardous gaming, meanwhile, is described as "a pattern of gaming, either online or offline that appreciably increases the risk of harmful physical or mental health consequences to the individual or to others around this individual". "The increased risk may be from the frequency of gaming," the WHO continued, "from the amount of time spent on these activities, from the neglect of other activities and priorities, from risky behaviours associated with gaming or its context, from the adverse consequences of gaming, or from the combination of these. The pattern of gaming is often persists in spite of awareness of increased risk of harm to the individual or to others." It's worth remembering the document has yet to be finalised for its planned publication, due some time later this year, so the above entries may change. When published, the update will be the ICD document's eleventh major revision - the first since 1992. The above descriptions, and particularly the idea of hazardous gaming, bring to mind the extreme cases of people dying in public internet cafes after playing games non-stop for days at a time. But it feels like the WHO is also recognising a broader spectrum of addiction - and conditions which can affect the lives of those addicted and those around them over extended periods of time. Here's hoping improved terms for diagnoses can prompt swifter care for anyone affected. Become a Eurogamer subscriber and get your first month for £1 Get your first month for £1 (normally £3.99) when you buy a Standard Eurogamer subscription. Enjoy ad-free browsing, merch discounts, our monthly letter from the editor, and show your support with a supporter-exclusive comment flair! Support us View supporter archive More News Splatoon 3 Amiibos will be out next month Ink-coming! 3 Fans think Phil Spencer's shelf is teasing the Xbox Game Pass streaming box UPDATE: Xbox confirms old Keystone prototype. 61 Modder dives into Demon's Souls files following PS5 jailbreak, discovers fabled Ring of the Chieftain Who knows what's nexus? 4 Google announces cloud gaming Chromebooks less than a fortnight after Stadia shutdown GeForce Now preinstalled. 11 Latest Articles Digital Foundry Sennheiser's legendary HD 599 open-back headphones are just £70 at Amazon in the Prime Early Access Sale Comfortable with neutral sound and a wide sound stage. Preview Football Manager's new Console edition is the best you'll get without a PC Getting Touch-right. 1 Splatoon 3 Amiibos will be out next month Ink-coming! 3 Fans think Phil Spencer's shelf is teasing the Xbox Game Pass streaming box UPDATE: Xbox confirms old Keystone prototype. 61 Supporters Only Premium only Off Topic: Take a minute to appreciate Cookin' with Coolio's incredible scallops recipe. What a great book. Premium only Off Topic: Reading City of Glass in comic form "Where exactly am I going?" Premium only Off Topic: Il Buco is a transporting film about a really big hole Underlands. Off-Topic Netflix handled Sandman brilliantly It was Dreamy. 9 Buy things with globes on them And other lovely Eurogamer merch in our official store! Explore our store