Gaming Addiction Is Real—and It’s Official

Publish Date : 06/13/2025

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Let’s be clear: video game addiction isn’t just a parenting buzzword—it’s a clinically recognized, diagnosable mental health disorder. In 2013, the American Psychiatric Association officially identified Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) in the DSM-5, the gold standard of psychiatric diagnoses. That means it’s not just “too much gaming.” It’s a real condition, with real symptoms, and real consequences.

The diagnostic checklist reads like something many parents know all too well: Is your child anxious or irritable when they can’t play? Are they spending more and more time gaming just to feel “normal”? Have they tried and failed to cut back—or lied about how much they play? Are grades slipping? Have they stopped doing things they used to love? These are not normal growing pains. They’re signs of addiction.

Top medical institutions like the Cleveland Clinic and the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) back this up. And in 2022, the World Health Organization officially named “Gaming Disorder” as a medical condition in its global diagnostic guide, the ICD-11—the same category that includes substance abuse and gambling addiction. This disorder is defined by a loss of control, obsessive gaming habits, and playing despite serious harm to mental, physical, or social well-being.

Gaming addiction isn’t a joke. It’s not “kids being kids.” It’s a behavioral health issue that affects attention, mood, school performance, relationships, and even brain function. The science is in. The institutions agree. It’s time parents, educators, and tech companies take it seriously too.

Know Your Rights

We help families explore their legal options in cases of video game addiction. If you believe a game has caused harm to your child, our team can help you understand your rights.

Feel free to contact one of our digital addiction attorneys at 1-877-542-4646 or by using the nearby form if your family has suffered any adverse side effects due to video game addiction. Your information will remain confidential, and a lawyer will provide a free legal consultation.