'Gaming Disorder' Classified as Mental Health Condition The World Health Organization (WHO) included the disorder in the 11th edition of its International Classification of Diseases (ICD). Dr. Vladimir Poznyak, a member of the WHO’s Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, told CNN that the three major characteristics of the disorder are: • Gaming takes precedence over other activities to the extent that those activities “are taken to the periphery.” • Impaired control; A “persistent or recurrent” behavior pattern of “sufficient severity.” • Distress or impairment in personal, family, social, education or occupation functioning. Poznyak said that the overall prevalence of this condition is “very low,” and a diagnosis can only be made when the negative pattern of behaviors persists for at least 12 months. Treatment of the disorder would involve cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), as well “psychosocial interventions: social support, understanding of the conditions, family support.”