Is Video Game Addiction Added to the DSM?
In recent years, the world has seen a significant increase in the popularity of video games, leading to concerns about their impact on mental health. As a result, researchers and mental health professionals have been exploring the concept of video game addiction, also known as gaming disorder. The question on everyone’s mind is: is video game addiction added to the DSM?
The Answer: Yes
The short answer is yes, video game addiction, or gaming disorder, has been added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) in 2018. The DSM-5 is the standard reference guide used by mental health professionals to diagnose mental health disorders.
What is Gaming Disorder?
Gaming disorder is defined as a pattern of gaming behavior characterized by impaired control over gaming, increasing priority given to gaming over other activities, and continued use of gaming despite the occurrence of negative consequences.
Stages of Gaming Disorder
The process of gaming addiction occurs in three stages:
- Stage one: The game is played actively for fun.
- Stage two: Games are no longer "fun," but the individual still spends many hours playing to remove negative emotions such as stress, sadness, and worry.
- Stage three: The individual becomes obsessed with the game, spending excessive amounts of time playing, neglecting other aspects of their life, and experiencing negative consequences such as social isolation, relationship problems, and health issues.
Diagnostic Criteria
To be diagnosed with gaming disorder, an individual must exhibit at least five of the following symptoms over a period of at least 12 months:
| Symptom | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. | Spending more time playing video games than intended. |
| 2. | Persistent efforts to cut down or regulate video game use. |
| 3. | Feeling anxious, depressed, or irritable when trying to cut down or stop playing. |
| 4. | Giving up important social, occupational, or recreational activities because of video game use. |
| 5. | Continuing to play video games despite knowledge of physical or mental health problems. |
| 6. | Having a history of relationships, financial, or other problems caused by video game use. |
| 7. | Feeling withdrawal symptoms, such as insomnia, irritability, or restlessness, when trying to stop playing. |
| 8. | Returning to video game use despite attempts to cut down or stop. |
Conclusion
In conclusion, yes, video game addiction, or gaming disorder, has been added to the DSM-5. It is a pattern of gaming behavior characterized by impaired control, increasing priority given to gaming over other activities, and continued use despite negative consequences. Understanding the diagnostic criteria and stages of gaming disorder can help mental health professionals and individuals identify and address this condition.
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