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World Health Organization to Include Video Gaming Disorder in New ICD Revision

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The World Health Organization has included video/digital gaming disorder to their 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases, set to be published mid-2018.

Unwrapping a new, coveted gaming console -- an Atari, N64, XBox -- on Christmas morning is a fond memory for many people. With hundreds of thousands of video games and just as much variety in their genres, it is unsurprising that video games have been able to successfully cater to so many different individuals. Dr. Michael Bordieri visits Sounds Good to discuss these games and the potential for video game addiction, or gaming disorder.

The World Health Organization recently included gaming disorder in their 11th draft revisionof the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). Gaming disorder is characterized by impaired control over gaming, increased priority of gaming (in which other interests/daily activities lose priority), and continuation or escalation of behavior despite evidence of negative consequences. The 11th revision of the ICD is set to be published mid-2018. 

There are differing opinions about the extent to which video gaming disorder can affect the average player's life. A widely spread New York Post article,published in 2016, compared video games to digital heroin and suggested that games were turning children into "psychotic junkies." However, not all video game activity should be classified as addiction, and the WHO states that the diagnosis should only be made if the behavioral patterns are significant enough to impair personal, familial, social, occupational, or educational health and if it has been evident for over 12 months. 

Dr. Michael Bordieri, psychology professor at Murray State University, visits Sounds Good to discuss these ICD revisions and how to better distinguish between a healthy and unhealthy amount of digital gaming. While some research suggests gaming disorder affects certain demographics, such as the young male, more than others, there is no concrete evidence available and all players should be consciously aware of how much time they spend on and importance they give to their digital games. 

Tracy started working for WKMS in 1994 while attending Murray State University. After receiving his Bachelors and Masters degrees from MSU he was hired as Operations/Web/Sports Director in 2000. Tracy hosted All Things Considered from 2004-2012 and has served as host/producer of several music shows including Cafe Jazz, and Jazz Horizons. In 2001, Tracy revived Beyond The Edge, a legacy alternative music program that had been on hiatus for several years. Tracy was named Program Director in 2011 and created the midday music and conversation program Sounds Good in 2012 which he hosts Monday-Thursday. Tracy lives in Murray with his wife, son and daughter.
Melanie Davis-McAfee graduated from Murray State University in 2018 with a BA in Music Business. She has been working for WKMS as a Music and Operations Assistant since 2017. Melanie hosts the late-night alternative show Alien Lanes, Fridays at 11 pm with co-host Tim Peyton. She also produces Rick Nance's Kitchen Sink and Datebook and writes Sounds Good stories for the web.
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