WHO classifies "Gaming Disorder" as a mental condition

[SleepyAl]

While the mechanism of addiction in gambling, video games, etc. may be the same, the reasons why those people choose these methods to self cope are not. This is why they are separate diagnoses.

I was literally addicted to video games at one point in my life. It was all I talked about, what I looked forward to, what I desired. I didn't want to have friends, I didn't want to go to school, I didn't want to get healthy, I didn't want to take care of myself, I just wanted video games. Video games were a structured and consistently rewarding thing in my life. Everything was laid out, rules were consistent, the system was predictable. School was chaotic, miserable and traumatizing, and I felt like I had no control in my life and nothing I did right was ever rewarded. Video games gave me what I was missing. Ultimately through therapy, medication, and a change in school systems video games are now just a hobby for me.

Compare that to someone who is addicted to gambling. Gambling is not structured and not consistently rewarding, it's literally chance with the odds stacked against you. It's glamourous, exciting, but ultimately risky, and the social, monetary, risky aspects of it draw in some people for the adrenaline rush. A gambling addict will have different issues in their life compared to a gaming addict, so the method of treatment would differ. Both gambling and video games can be an act of escapism, and both can cause harm when misused, but the subject matter itself gives insight into the needs and issues the person has and informs the therapist/psychiatrist/physician how to properly treat them.

[garbage ellie]

there are so many people who didnt even glance past the title, just like this guy here
it has nothing to do with that, its when people dedicate their entire lives to videogames, and are unable to do anything else
there are tons of them out there, neets who refuse to get a job or do anything past the bare minimum and play videogames for 10-15 hours a day, thats what the disorder is.

[Steam-Pixie]

Ahhh, so it's people like my exes then. Gotcha lol

[niceguyhenry]

Who?

[Swilly]

Gaming Disorder is attatched to the issue therein of Addictive Personality Disorder.

The fact of the matter is that gaming, and the like have the same core design concepts right now as video poker. The game encourages you to keep playing and has the additional damage of being socially addicting by placing other highrisk people in the same situation as you creating a co-dependent circle.

It'd be as if you got a group of alcohols to work at a bar.

[Peachy]

And what of the adults who suffer from gaming addiction?

[Janeway]

I wonder if they'd ever classify a social media disorder.