How many criteria must be met for Internet Gaming Disorder within 12 months?

• A. 9 of 9
• B. 7 of 9
• C. 5 of 9
• D. 3 of 9

Answer: (C)

The key idea is the diagnostic threshold:Internet Gaming Disorder is identified when a person meets five or more of the nine proposed criteria within a 12-month period, and those symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in daily functioning. The nine criteria cover patterns like being preoccupied with gaming, experiencing withdrawal when not playing, needing more time to achieve the same satisfaction (tolerance), making repeated unsuccessful attempts to cut back, losing interest in other activities, continuing to game despite problems, deceiving others about gaming, using gaming to escape negative moods, and risking important relationships or opportunities because of gaming. The 12-month timeframe helps distinguish a persistent problem from a temporary spike in gaming. So five of the nine criteria within a year is the threshold that best reflects a clinically meaningful pattern.