The World Health Organization recognizes gambling addiction

QUINCY – The World Health Organization recently recognized the compulsive video game as a mental health problem.

Chuck Johnson, Administrative Coordinator of Behavioral Health Services at Blessing Hospital, found an increase in children's unity because of a growing dependence on the # 39; e.

"Our kids are so engrossed in electronics today," Johnson said. "The electronic world is sucking children, it will not go away."

The WHO said classifying "gambling disorder" as a separate addiction will help governments, families, and health care workers to be more vigilant and ready to identify risks. The recognition confirmed the fears of some parents but led critics to warn that it might stigmatize too many young videographers.

Dr. Joan Harvey, a spokeswoman for the British Psychological Society, warned that the new designation could cause unnecessary concern among parents.

"People have to understand that this does not mean that all children who spend hours in their room playing are addicts, otherwise the doctors will be inundated with requests for help," Harvey said.

There are advantages to playing video games, especially related to coordination and socialization. Some people develop true friendships through the game.

Johnson said that only 1 in 10 people has the potential to develop a gambling addiction.

"Not everyone who goes online will become addicted." he said. "It's a much smaller number, and it's the people who are already prone to addiction."

According to the National Library of Medicine of the United States, gambling disorder, described as a disorder of impulse control, is characterized by a playfulness; the ability of the game to change the mood of a person; withdrawal symptoms, which may be emotional or physical, at play; the development of interpersonal conflicts because of gambling; and the development of a tolerance. Johnson described tolerance as a progression of difficulty levels in the game.

The American Psychiatric Association did not consider gambling disorder as a new mental health problem. In a 2013 statement, the association said it was "a condition warranting more clinical research and experience before being considered for inclusion" in its own. diagnostic manual.

Johnson believes that the condition will be included in the DSM once again the search is made.

Dr. Mark Griffiths, who has been studying the concept of a video game disorder for 30 years, said the new classification would help legitimize the problem and strengthen treatment strategies.

"The video game is like a non-financial game from a psychological point of view," said Griffiths, a prominent addiction professor at the University of Nottingham Trent in England. "Players use money as a way to keep score, while players use points."

Gambling addiction is not limited to children. Johnson said adults who are most at risk of developing a gambling disorder are those who live alone, have recently experienced a divorce or separation, have lost their jobs, and can be calm and withdrawn.

"This whole thing has grown so fast, we do not have a lot of gaming specialists," he said. "Like everything, when you choose to use a professional, you have to shop around."

Gambling disorders are generally treated in the same way as addictions by counselors and therapists. The online support group On-Line Gamers Anonymous, olganon.org, is another resource.

Associated Press – Contributed to this story.