Dota 2: Hobby or Disorder

Have you heard "Gaming Disorder" on the news? Wait what? I said, "Daddy, manood ka!" (You must watch this.)That was I said when it was featured on Kapuso mo: Jessica Soho.

Gaming disorder is a pattern of persistent or recurrent gaming behavior online or offline, manifested by impaired control over gaming, increasing priority given to gaming to the extent that gaming takes precedence over other life interests and daily activities and continuation or escalation of gaming despite the occurrence of negative consequences.

Over the years there has been much debate as to whether addictive gaming behaviors should be classified as a disorder. In fact, the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) published by the American Psychiatric Association in 2013 says that "Internet Gaming Disorder" is a "condition for further study" warranting more clinical research and experience before it might be considered for inclusion in the main book as a formal disorder". DSM-5 states that the disorder is most common in male adolescents 12 to 20 years of age. According to studies it is thought to be more common in Asian countries than in North America and Europe.

In 2018 however, the World Health Organization (WHO) included Gaming disorder in their diagnostic manual, the International Classification of Diseases.[3] Gaming disorder alongside gambling disorder will be classified under "Disorders Due to Addictive Behaviors".

The decision to include addictive gaming behavior in the WHO's ICD-11 was taken based on consultations with experts in various fields from across the globe and follows the implementation of treatment programs in various countries for those with health conditions identical to those exhibited by people with gaming disorder. As a new listing, the disorder will receive the attention of medical professionals, increasing their awareness of its associated risks as well as prevention and treatment measures.

Back in our college life, my husband is so addicted on online games. I remember having small fights with him because of this. Other times, I get jealous. I even got an mp3 of "Dota o ako" on my playlist. When we got married, he's still into it. "Ma, 2 hours lang", he said. Years after, when we got enough funds, he pursue to buy a computer set, apply for internet and viola! Hello Dota 2!

He really loves playing it, so I got curious. I need to find out why. Even if I cannot understand anything, I still watched him playing. Later on, I slowly learning what's going on or how it works. Eventually, I get familiar with the characters. I also found myself doing the updates for him. We got small talks about gaming and the tournament. What funny is, this game made us closer. And I realized, yeah, it's addictive but still he's on his normal life -- going to work, spending time with his family, we still have time going out. Maybe I'm reacting negatively without fully understanding.

Bottom-line is, everything should be taken in moderation. Let us be responsible for everything we do. As far as you're not compromising important things, still this would be called "hobby not disorder".