Citation

van den Brink W. J. Behav. Addict. 2017; 6(3): 290-292.

Affiliation

1 Department of Psychiatry, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam , Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Akadémiai Kiadó)

DOI

10.1556/2006.6.2017.040

PMID

28816496

Abstract

In their debate contribution, Aarseth et al. (2016) strongly argue against the proposal of WHO ICD-11 (International Classification of Diseases, 11th revision) to include Gaming Disorder as a new diagnostic category emphasizing the fact that no consensus exists on the definition and the risk that gaming will be demonized and gamers stigmatized resulting in a tsunami of false positive referrals to treatment. In this commentary, it is argued that gaming is indeed just another relatively innocent recreational activity with only a small minority losing control resulting in gaming-related problems. It is also argued that - despite a lack of full consensus on the diagnostic criteria - there are clear indications that Gaming Disorder is a relevant clinical entity worldwide and that official recognition as a mental disorder is urgently needed to facilitate the further development, accessibility, and reimbursement of the treatment.

Language: en

Keywords

ICD-11; gaming disorder; stigmatisation; treatment; validity