Playing video games
As video games have gained popularity over the recent years there has been considerable amount of controversy regarding its benefits and risk. There are many research studies that indicate that video games could have a positive impact on its users while other studies indicate that it has the potential to lead to poor negative healthcare outcomes. Playing video games can have a double edge sword effect on gamers where it offers benefits in cognitive development, problem solving and social interaction, while also leading to poor health outcomes such as excessive screen time, video games addiction and anxiety.
When it comes to playing video games there is a high degree of misconception about the impact that video games has on mental health. It is important to recognize that these misconceptions are often based on unfounded evidence (WebMD). Over the recent years, studies have found that video games offer users man advantages such as increase mental stimulation, mental health recover, social interaction and increase emotional resilience (WebMD). According to Dr. Dan Brennan, video games can positively impact users by decreasing feelings of anxiety when used in moderation (WebMD). Over the recent ears video games have become an aid to the treatment of certain mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (WebMD). Other research studies have indicated that playing video games not only critical thinking and decision making but also is linked to increased mental health outcomes. It is important to note that when it coms to negative effects of video games, studies have shown paying more than 10 hours a wee of video games may lead to sleep problems, isolation, increase anxiety, and other mood issues (WebMD).
As video games graphics have developed and become more realistic one main question that has arisen is the effect of video games on the brain and whether they can cause depression or decrease symptoms of depression. One study found a link between video games and depression found that over 89% of gamers who excessively play video games are eventually diagnosed with depression induced video game addiction (Game Quitters). It is hypothesized that video gamers will develop depression because of the video game habits since plays over time neglect other important aspects of there daily lives. One specific example if that video gamers who develop depression and video game addiction will often not prioritize social relationships while also increasing sedentary activities and ignoring diet (Game Quitters). One of the biggest drawbacks to video games is how that can also lead gamers with the inability to regulate emotions properly (Game Quitters). Video game players will often use these games to escape their reality while temporarily numbing their emotions (Game Quitters). Overall, it has been found that the majority of people who do not play video games struggle less with the inability to control their emotions, however excessive game time can lead to the development of poor emotional regulation (Game Quitters).
Many studies have shown the negative effects to gaming, there has also been a substantial amount of evidence showing the immensely positive effects that video games can have on a player (The Guardian). While video games do not directly contribute to mental health issues, mental disorders can evolve as a result of players not prioritizing self-care, neglecting their physical and emotional needs in the pursuit of excessive gaming (Esports Healthcare). Video games do not directly cause mental health problems (Esports Healthcare). Esports healthcare concluded that video games players who experience mental health issues from video game use most likely already had preexisting risk factors that made then more vulnerable to the negative side effects of video games (Esports Healthcare).
Video games can hep treat mental health disorders and create more accessible treatment over traditional mental health services that are often times inaccessible due to high cost (Verrywell Mind). The Science Foundation Ireland Research Center for Software found that video games have therapeutic benefits can fill in gaps in mental health treatment for disorders. Research studies have found that video games such as "Minecraft" and "Animal Crossing: New Horizon" can increase social connection and decrease loneliness (Verrywell Mind). To further this point, another study found that teenagers who play "'Mario Kart" had better rates of emotional regulation when compared to teenagers who did not play video (Games). Video games have been found to be an alternative to mental health treatment. One experiment found that people with anxiety who played the games "Plants vs Zombies" for 30 minutes a day four times a week had better mental health outcomes than patients who took medication for their mental disorders (Verrywell Mind). Overall people play video games who suffer from certain mental health disorders could possible benefit from this type of alternative treatment when compared to traditional mental health treatment (Verrywell Mind).
In conclusion video games have both benefits and risk factors when it comes to its use. When used in moderation video games have been found to decrease loneliness and build connection. Over the years video games have become highly stigmatized by the media without any significant concrete evidence (The Guardian). It is important to recognize that while excessive use can lead to poor negative health outcomes, video games can also be used for alternative treatments to mental health disorders (Verrywell Mind). Video games can even help bring mental health services in more accessible ways (Verrywell Mind). Overall, video games have both benefits and risk factors when it comes to it use and it is important that video game players remain educate and are able to make knowledgeable decisions when it comes to their own usages.
