Work ‘burnout’ and gaming disorder labeled as problems by WHO

A pair of 21st century ailments are being spotlighted by the World Health Organization as they make updates to their International Classification of Diseases — ICD-11 —which will go into effect in January 2022.

Both gaming disorder, tied to video game use, and work burnout caused from stress at work are included.

Burnout is described as “feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion; increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one’s job; and reduced professional efficacy.” It is more simply stated as “chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.”

Gaming disorder is stated as “impaired control over gaming, increasing priority given to gaming over other activities to the extent that gaming takes precedence over other interests and daily activities, and continuation or escalation of gaming despite the occurrence of negative consequences.”

For gaming disorder to be diagnosed, the behaviour pattern must be of sufficient severity to result in significant impairment in personal, family, social, educational, occupational or other important areas of functioning and would normally have been evident for at least 12 months.