By Steven Schlozman, MD and Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Posted in: Multimedia, Parenting Concerns, Podcast

Topics: Addiction & Substance Misuse, Culture + Society, Digital Media, Mental Illness + Psychiatric Disorders

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“I couldn’t get off the computer ‘cause I was about to kill that final thing in ‘Call of Duty’ and if I didn’t kill it I’d have to fight it all over again and it just isn’t worth my time!”

Who doesn’t love a good video game? Whether it’s Fortnite or Candy Crush Saga, it’s pretty easy to get sucked in, sometimes for hours. But is there such a thing as Gaming Disorder? The World Health Organization says yes, but the American Psychiatric Association is still considering. Regardless of if it technically qualifies as a mental health disorder, what parents really want to know for their kids is: When does it cross the line from casual pastime to problem territory? In this episode of Shrinking It Down: Mental Health Made Simple, Gene and Steve tackle the issue of gaming disorder, including how much is too much – of anything.

Thank you for joining us in this journey and conversation. If you have a question or comment about gaming that we didn’t cover, we’d love to hear from you! Write to us here.

Media List

• Gaming Disorder (World Health Organization)
• Internet Gaming (American Psychiatric Association)
• Gaming Disorder: Is It a Real Illness? (Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds)

 

Episode edited by Sara Rattigan

Music by Gene Beresin