Do video games affect mental health?

Introduction 

Owning a gaming console is a dream for a child, teenager or even an adult. The gaming industry has come a long way, evolving from first generation consoles and PCs to 4k gaming and virtual reality.  

It’s a nostalgic feeling when we turn on a console and play a couch co-op game with our friends. People who never owned a console or a PC might have experienced a similar feeling in a gaming center.

Most owners are fortunate to see how much the industry has evolved over the last decade. However, most people who didn’t own hardware had a common reason —their parents. Most parents were hesitant to buy us a gaming console.

They believed playing video games is bad for health. They would advise us not to sit in front of a TV or a monitor for long hours as it can damage the eyes.

As a child, we would deny their belief. But as we grow, we understand the pros and cons of playing video games.

Does playing video games affect physical and mental health? Does the joy of playing our favourite game cost our health?

Several consequences on mental health have been attributed to playing video games. Studies have shown that playing video games can make people worried, unhappy, anxious or even aggressive. Each of these claims contains some elements of truth. Maybe our parents were right about video games.  

However, the good news is, there are certain positive effects of video games that can bring balance against the negative effects. 

Playing video games is linked to developing good feelings and social connections. Excessive video gaming can cause unpleasant emotions, negative attitudes, low self-esteem, loneliness and poor academic performance.

Video games aren’t always bad. They don’t always result in anxiety. But video game addiction can undoubtedly exacerbate these problems.

Video games have been known to be prevalent for more than 50 years. However, the link between video games and mental health has only recently come to the attention of the public—within the last decade and half.

Much of our time now involves playing video games. We may play on our TV, phone, or tablet etc. We have the option of playing online or offline, by ourselves or with friends, or even just by watching others play in real-time.

Does a game night with our friends have benefits or should we skip that for another hobby?

Benefits of playing video games 

Mental stimulation 

Most often, playing video games evoke thoughts. Most of the brain is engaged while playing video games to support higher-level thinking. Depending on the difficulty of the game, one might need to think, plan and act swiftly. Playing video games engages the deeper brain regions that support cognitive development and critical thinking.

Modern-day gaming has taken mental stimulation to another level with virtual reality. Virtual reality gaming can stimulate an entire world where the player is free to do whatever he desires.

Improves decision-making skills

Most video games need quick thinking and split-second decisions that can make the difference between virtual life and virtual death. These games provide players’ brains with plenty of practice for decision-making in the real world, according to cognitive neuroscientists from the University of Rochester in New York. 

According to research, action video games simulate the decision-making process by giving players multiple opportunities to gather information from their environment and challenging them to respond appropriately.

Social interaction 

Playing team games online, gamers today communicate with one another. On streaming websites, millions of gamers broadcast their gaming so that spectators may chat with them while they’re playing. 

As a result, by interacting with those with similar interests, gamers might enhance their social abilities. Through interactive gaming and streaming activities, video games encourage social conversation and interaction.

Emotional resilience 

It can be upsetting to lose in games or other situations. People can learn how to deal with failure and keep trying through video games. Children should be taught how to use this tool as they get older. 

To determine whether there was a connection between playing video games and mental well-being or happiness, Researchers from North Carolina State University thoroughly examined our ageing population. They discovered that adults who admitted to occasionally playing video games did so with greater levels of contentment or well-being. 

Video game non-players reported greater negative emotions and were more prone to suffer from depression. It’s unclear what exactly is responsible for this connection.

Problems of excessive gaming 

Depression 

Mostly, people playing and addicted to video games frequently struggle with depression.

Due to their bad gaming habits, several gamers have ended up depressed. They fail to prioritise other facets of their lives, such as healthy eating, active lifestyles and social connections.

Nonetheless, a lot of game addicts have a history of depression. They are also able to better manage their depressive symptoms due to video gaming.

Both times, playing video games did not directly trigger depression. Yet, those who suffer from severe depression or are predisposed to this kind of mental health issue may pick up bad gaming habits that negatively impact their lives. Regardless of whether a person has a gaming addiction or not, it is essential to get professional assistance for those suffering from depression.

Social anxiety 

People experience anxiety due to their video game addiction since they don’t act as they know they should while playing. 

While playing video games alone won’t necessarily make a person anxious. When they start to take over life and start to disregard other essential things, that’s when anxiety starts to set in.

Lack of motivation 

The fact that addicted gamers lack the motivation to engage in duties and activities in real life is a cause for concern. However, this assertion is not totally true. While milestones in video games, such as levelling up or winning rewards, are regularly rewarded, users may use these games to avoid their real-world responsibilities.

It’s probable that gamers have several challenges in accomplishing their own objectives or those that are put on them by their loved ones. This makes playing video games an extremely rewarding hobby that aids in putting aside the demands of the outside world.

Minimal emotional regulation 

The inability to appropriately control emotions is one of the main side effects of playing video games.

According to studies, those with Internet gaming problems are more likely to be hostile, unhappy and nervous. The inability to manage and control emotions like anger, sadness, fear or other emotions is the basic mechanism that causes various comorbidities.

This results as playing video games are usually considered a means to suppress one’s feelings. As a result, many players, especially kids and teenagers, play video games because they might harbour underlying unfavourable sentiments.

While momentarily numbing those unfavourable feelings, video games cannot fix their issue. Instead, if an individual plays video games too much, especially doing so every day for a few hours, those feelings will become even stronger.

When a person has good emotional control, their actions can be better controlled since the emotional state is under greater control. The ability to control emotions may suffer as a result of playing video games excessively.

Gaming addiction 

Most people who struggle with the signs of video game addiction engage in online multiplayer gaming. Since players can essentially live a different life as new individuals in MMORPGs (Massively multiplayer online role-playing games), they provide an unending adventure within a fantasy realm. They offer a chance to leave the worries of the real world behind and escape reality.

Moreover, MMPORGs and other multiplayer games support sizable player communities where a lot of individuals feel liked, welcomed and valuable (something they may not often feel in the real world). 

An MMPORG player has the ability to join groups, assist other players, establish friends and advance in the game. The relationships are genuine despite the virtual environment. This causes game addiction, and such individuals take time and require assistance to get back to being normal.

Suicidal thoughts 

Some people may start thinking about taking their own lives if their addiction to video games grows out of control.

How to play video games for your well-being? 

Set limits 

Although playing video games doesn’t harm mental health in and of itself, becoming addicted to them does. Playing video games for too long can make an individual feel lonely. Also, they can feel uncomfortable with individuals in the actual world. One needs to slow down on finding themselves using video games as an escape.

They can talk to a mental health professional if they find it difficult to stop playing video games on their own.

Try strategic video games. 

Playing role-playing games and other tactical games can aid in improving problem-solving abilities. There is not much evidence that playing violent video games is detrimental to mental health. Virtually every game that requires decision-making and critical thinking is good for mental health.

Play with friends 

Play games with friends to make them more enjoyable. People can join online communities for their favourite games. Playing video games in moderation with friends can promote social interaction, relaxation and stress reduction.

Use video games as a mind booster. 

Though video game research is a relatively new topic, it has been established that playing video games can actually improve brain function. Children who spent three or more hours a day playing video games had more activity in the parts of the brain linked to attention and memory than did those who never played.

Conclusion 

Not all mental health issues can be attributed to playing video games. Being a healthy gamer and taking part in video games for fun is achievable. Unfortunately, people often use video games to build up their emotions when they don’t know how to cope with them, which leads to them becoming stuck in life. 

Like always, moderation is the key. Playing video games at a stipulated time and managing the real-reel world optimally helps prevent mental health issues associated with video gaming. Parents should monitor the duration of their child’s game time and also keep a check for age restrictions on certain games to prevent other complications.

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