Technology addiction brings health conditions and disorders

The World Health Organization (WHO) thinks that YOU may have a gaming disorder. Are you addicted to your devices? How often are you on your phone? Do you play video games excessively? The World Health Organization is concerned.

WHO will include “gaming disorder” in its list of mental health conditions for 2018. WHO defines the disorder as a “persistent or recurrent” behavior pattern of “sufficient severity to result in significant impairment in personal, family, social, educational, occupational or other important areas of functioning.”

Sue Anderson, Medical Careers teacher, says that there is an overuse of technology among teenagers.

In order for a diagnosis to be made, the individual must be gaming regularly for at least 12 months.

Senior and local gamer Matt Kuan was asked if he felt addicted to video games and he declined. He plays for two hours a day but does not think that he is addicted. Kuan went on to say, “I really like Roblox; sometimes I put off school work to play.”

Gregory Hartl, a spokesman for the WHO, said the new mental health conditions on gaming disorder “includes only a clinical description and not prevention and treatment options.”

Although the use of technology is very beneficial, the health problems are rising in relation to computer, smartphones, tablets, etc. According to Hartl, when young children stopped playing video games excessively, their depression and anxiety got better.

The best advice for gamers and others who use technology is to use them in moderation. Anderson agrees, “a good way to combat this disease is for them to be able to put it down and find other ways to receive excitement.”