Table 1 Definition of Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) and Gaming Disorder (GD)

»Persistent and recurrent use of the internet to engage in games, often with other players,

leading to clinically significant impairment or distress as indicated by five (or more) of the

following in a 12-month period:

Preoccupation with internet games. (The individual thinks about previous gaming activity or anticipates playing the next game; internet gaming becomes the dominant activity in daily life).

Withdrawal symptoms when internet gaming is taken away. (These symptoms are typically described as irritability, anxiety, or sadness, but there are no physical signs of pharmacological withdrawal.)

Tolerance—the need to spend increasing amounts of time engaged in internet games.

Unsuccessful attempts to control the participation in internet games.

Loss of interests in previous hobbies and entertainment as a result of, and with the exception of, internet games.

Continued excessive use of internet games despite knowledge of psychosocial problems.

Has deceived family members, therapists, or others regarding the amount of internet gaming.

Use of internet games to escape or relieve a negative mood (e.g., feelings of helplessness,

guilt, anxiety).

Has jeopardized or lost a significant relationship, job, or educational or career opportunity because of participation in internet games.

A pattern of gaming behavior (“digital-gaming” or “video-gaming”) characterized within a 12-month timeframe by:

“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 behavior 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.”