Video Games and Mental Health

It's no secret that Video Gaming addiction is getting more attention day by day. Video Games can offer a wider array of entertainment compared to movies, tv shows or books, simply because they are an interactive medium. You have to participate in order to properly be apart of this medium. It got enough cases of addiction to be classified as a Mental Disorder.

But we're going to talk about both sides, we're going to talk about how games can also help your Mental Health. The usual thought process from adults not involved into gaming or its industry these days, will mostly always resort in associating video games with a negative connotation. 

Thankfully with today's accessibility to the internet, media and many platforms to discuss it, there are many counter claims why video games aren't as bad as people make it out to be:

The Positives

 

Depression

Studies have shown that 30 minutes of playing Casual Games can treat depression on par with prescriptive medication. This was of course when PopCap was a "Leading gaming Developer" back in 2011. Unfortunately casual PC games are no longer as popular as they were, but casual gaming itself merely transitioned into other places, specifically mobile gaming.

 

Brain Function

As games can be a health issues for our mental health, they likewise can be beneficial for it. As quoted from the study:

Video gaming causes increases in the brain regions responsible for spatial orientation, memory formation and strategic planning as well as fine motor skills.

 Certain types of puzzle games, management and simulations, can be greatly beneficial for spatial navigation, memory formation, strategic planning and fine motor skills of the hands, demonstrating a direct causal link between video gaming and a volumetric brain increase, even improving vision. Cooperative and Competitive games can have a huge influence on socialization.

 

An Easy Transition for Exercising and Getting Fit

Studies have shown that physical training in gaming such as WiiFit, has the potential to be used as rehabilitation tools for clinical cases. A 30 minute routine of phsyical gaming exercises can improve your balance, circulation, flexibility and balance.

 

The Negatives

 

Behavioral problems and Anger Management

They can be often associated with Competitive Gaming. Every community anywhere can potentially be toxic, but a heavily competitive community will always have the potential to be a step above. From bad manners, to incapable teammates, to condescending "GG easy" types of responses, these behaviours are heavily accentuated with the power of anonymity.

This leads to a more sour climate of gaming in the competitive scene, where it can potentially bring the worst out of people.

 

Addiction

Drawing by Mart Virkus https://arcaderage.co/

 

As with anything in life, the saying goes "Everything in moderation". While games can be healthy for you, at a certain time played, passing that timeframe, they can be addicting enough to invade your productive life.

 

While games can offer an escape to your problems, help with anxiety and mental health, too much of it can switch the roles, where you have to escape from gaming itself to get back to reality. Know your restraints.

 

Sources used for this article:

https://gamerant.com/how-gaming-improve-mental-health-disorder/

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/freedom-learn/201502/cognitive-benefits-playing-video-games

https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-44662669

https://shiftdesign.org/why-the-world-needs-video-games-for-good-mental-health/

 

DISCLAIMER: This is an educated opinion of someone who has been relatively informed about today's journalism, but do not think of it as fact. It was made from varying opinions and sources other than myself.

Article written by: Myself (Caecus est inamabilis sciurus)

Replies • 3


Interstellar

I will agree to most of the positives and to your comment about everything in moderation, however, with the games now being almost lifelike and the newer VR I think that everyone is going to have to watch out that they don't become addicted.

You know you have a problem when:  You are up all hours of the day and night playing a game.

You don't see the need to go to school or work.

You don't eat anything other then junk food or delivered stuff because you can't leave the game.

You forget to shower or change your clothes.

You can't hold any type of conversation that doesn't have your game involved.

You no longer talk with friends or family because they don't play the game.

You aren't paying your bills because you don't go to work or your spending all your money on game extras.

You become extremely hostile with anyone who tries to talk with you while your playing.

You have a receptacle by your computer/game console so you don't have to get up to use the toilet.

You start to think the characters in your game are real people.

I sure I am forgetting a few other things but it's time to rise up and fight my way to the next level in my house.