Is gaming bad for your mental health?

[daftnoize]

Hello Escapists , long time lurker here but I finally decided to post this. I?m warning you now that this is going to be a big wall of text to read. I?m also going to use the terms gamer/nerd/hardcore gamer interchangeably here, but I?m talking about people whose biggest hobby is gaming in all its forms.

(I'm 17 now, turning 18 in november)
First, let me explain why I ask this question. 2-3 months ago I've been told I suffer from panic disorder (by a rl doctor, I didnt diagnose myself on the internet). I?m taking anti-depressants now to help with the anxiety, something I hope to get rid of soon (the pills). I've been having these attacks since I was 13, and I still have them but they have decreased in quantity and severity. Essentially I sometimes have panic attacks, which are actually hyperventilation attacks caused by being ?afraid? of something but having no way to get the emotion out of your system (for example by talking to somebody about it, see where I?m going?). Hyperventilation is a natural reflex, something thats left from our prehistoric days: if you came into contact with something dangerous this reflex prepares your body to flee/fight/think faster/etc . Hyperventialtion attacks are not always caused by panic though, but thats irrelevant here. I will come back to all this later.

Now what has this to do with gaming you might still ask? Well as I said I've been having these attacks since I was 13, the time when you go from primary school to secondary school, = sort of the first time you have to make new friends without 'mommy' being there. An important time in social development. This didnt work out for me because I didnt care about 'social standards', I took 2 baths in an entire week, not enough for someone who has long hair and sweats alot, because who needs them if you sit behind your computer all the time? I was also fat, something I have a natural aptitude for but was nurtured by sitting in a chair all the time. I had nothing to talk about except gaming, knew nothing about girls (an important subject during that age) and school was pretty difficult too (I couldnt handle being ridiculed in front of class by the teachers all the time). In short , because I could give you more examples, I had a hard time adjusting and this went on untill I was-, well pretty much last year . Growing made everything better, and last year I changed schools too.

I feel all of this has been mostly caused by gaming. The other factors being my kind of personality, the way I was raised and coincidence (the greatest force in the universe!). As I have said in the first paragraph these hyperventilation attacks are caused by panicking, and are made worse by the fact the emotions have nowhere to go but inside. These emotions slowly built up and cause panic attacks. The anticipation (?I hope I dont have an attack now?) can then also cause an attack. Again, what does this have to do with gaming? As a gamer I rarely talked/talk to real peope and every emotion I had (at school, during gaming,...) went nowhere but inside and there they slowly built up causing this disorder and alot of other wrong thinking patterns. (On a side note IMO nerd raging is also caused by gamers not letting their emotions out in other ways.)

I know this isnt the same for everybody and that this example in no way represents the entire gaming community. I have however, by lurking here, seen other people claiming they have to take some kind of psychiatric medication. I?ve seen at least 1 somebody whose story seemed somewhat similar to mine (the hard time adjusting and subsequent bullying), and I really believe that alot of gamergeeks have been through this. One of my best friends, also one of the only hardcore gamers I know, is a pretty popular person now but I know that inside he?s a bitter misanthrope (the same with many gamers). Everybody also knows the stereotypical hardcore gamer is a depressed, fat sack of sh-. All this has led me to believe that gaming can be bad for your mental health/development, despite most gamers claiming otherwise. I?m talking about depression, shyness, anxiety, low self-esteem,.. here; not the ?insane killing machines? the media so happily portray us as. Though IMO the internet CAN, and often does, desensitisize a person.

This leads me to the discussion value of this topic: do you feel like your life would?ve turned out different if you hadnt taken up gaming as a hobby? That you wouldn?t have had low self-esteem because you?d have another hobby, one that does generate respect from your peers? Or that you wouldn?t have been shy/depressed because you would?ve been a more outgoing person? Or is it just that gaming as a hobby attracts a certain kind of people? Is it possible to be a sportsy person and still be considered a loser? Maybe gaming is just bad when done too much and at an early age? Is it not natural to want to feel respected by other people in life, and to add to the community? Or do you feel that "the meaning of life is to have fun and thats what I'm doing"?

Please don?t just post ?You?re a teenager, get over it, everybody has it?. If you?re going to post it anyway, think about what that might mean about YOUR life and the people you compare yourself to, to have reached that conclusion.

Anyway thank you for reading and discuss !

edit: I just saw there's a 'Do you feel untalented' thread which kinda supports my point, with alot of people saying their life got alot better when they took up another hobby than gaming, and actually started talking to real people...

another edit: I've been gaming since I was maybe 6 or 7 (my first was Doom ). I assumed this was the case with most gamers but I realise thats probably not true

Suffering from a similar mental illness (bi polar) and on meds (...lots of meds) too i couldn't disagree more. I don't want to get into too much detail on this forum as i feel it may be a tad too personal to put out there to the entire internets. Feel free to message me though!

Anyway games themselves will never be the cause only how they are played obssively or not. Don't feel bad it won't have affected you nearly as much as you think it wouldn't have defined you. It may have been an outlet for your (mine certainly and possibly many others) alienation. I say this far too often but as an art form it has real implications. It is a way of expressing yourself it hasn't defined you but you have wanted it to and now possibly feel regrets about it. Psychology has been a passion of mine ever since I found out the way I was. I ramble here but please message me I would be more than happy to give you some advice based on more than pop Psychology and think as you write rambles!

Will

 

[Yoshisummons]

As for your statement of video games being the cause. No, and honestly it's just a form of media and there is this awesome book that would explain points far better than I can called "Everything Bad Is Good For You" and one of the points for example is how people use books to defend games and the other person's rebuttal is "pfft, no one reads those." Well of course because kids these days hate books and for most of human history books were looked down upon like games are today. I'd argue today's movies and games in general are what we call a "interactive medium" you know, the kind that is not solely driven by the reader and or watcher of the medium. Not to mention that kids will read with "proper" motivation with Twilight, Harry Pooter, and Eragon.

I guess my main gripe is the irrational hatred over a specific form of media either it be books, movies, or even games has showed up so many times so recently.

Another popular arugment is "It's a waste if you're not getting payed for it." Well obviously not every person that took guitar lessons or piano lessons for that matter didn't make you a instant candidate for becoming a professional pianist. Truth be told neither will books. Here's the kicker being good at reading does not make you a better writer. Same as being a follower would make you a better leader.

This is also coming from a guy that primarily escapes with books and I loves me some good gaming.

Oh before I forget. Go to your local library and get Amusing Ourselves To Death along with Everything Bad Is Good For You. They're both really good books and will not disappoint or else I'll burn my hw2 copy.

PS: None of that welcome to escapist crap please. I've been a lurker here with 4years under my belt, and all it took was one very bad day to get me to post.

 

[KarumaK]

No, Im not going out with the nearest assault rifle possible and shooting up a mall because "Call of duty: Modern Warfare 2" inspired me to do so.

And another spoiled, overly sensitive kid who thinks the evil government is trying to take is video games.
Your lucky OP, you only got a few of these. When I saw the title I expected a sea of angry kid gamers calling you jack thompson.

If you live in America they're kinda thinking on that right now you know?

Really, and what is your reason for thinking this?
That's like saying their still trying to ban comic books. Their not "thinking on" banning video games, they are discussing whether or not games should be considered art. Maybe they will fuck it up but I doubt video games are at the top of their agenda right now, and all it will take to make them see it as art is a "donation" to our congressmen for their next election campaign from the game companies.
They have no reason to take your games away right now, and I don't see any millionaires willing to pay to "convince" them to do so.

They're arguing about whether it's art because if it's not than a whole slew of arguments against them become valid.

But that's neither here nor there.

 

[nuba km]

snip

Gaming is as responsible for getting me my friends as it is for him losing his.

 

[nuba km]

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I mostly find fun nice people on xbox live (not including the silent ones) but I to find the occasional screaming ten year old but most of them play MW2 so I can thank that game for one thing, but online games are as social as there community and I mostly just play online game with nice communities (main reason why I play them).

 

[DustyDrB]

It's the not being around other people that aids in the development of social anxiety in some. Some people just game all the time and never do much anything else. Does that cause some social/behavioral issues? You bet. You can play games without it dominating your life. I try to be well-rounded. Gaming is just one thing I do. Some others: kayaking, surfing, partying, studying, studying, studying (get the idea?), and and a lot of time just going to bars to listen to local bands or have some craft beer. That's just me, there's a lot to enjoy in life. People should try to find more than just the one thing.

I had a roommate once who probably played games 10 hours a day. He took forever to get to know because he just had problems communicating. When we had friends over he would get really awkward and kind of shrink away and act nervous when we would try to include him. We took him to a small get together (not a full blown party, just a few chill people hanging out) and though we kept on trying to get him to socialize some, but he just stood in a corner. This always made me mad because he and I eventually got to the point where he was really comfortable talking to me and he was actually a funny and witty guy. But socialization is a skill that requires practice just like anything else.

 

[Famine0]

It's the not being around other people that aids in the development of social anxiety in some. Some people just game all the time and never do much anything else. Does that cause some social/behavioral issues? You bet. You can play games without it dominating your life. I try to be well-rounded. Gaming is just one thing I do. Some others: kayaking, surfing, partying, studying, studying, studying (get the idea?), and and a lot of time just going to bars to listen to local bands or have some craft beer. That's just me, there's a lot to enjoy in life. People should try to find more than just the one thing.

I had a roommate once who probably played games 10 hours a day. He took forever to get to know because he just had problems communicating. When we had friends over he would get really awkward and kind of shrink away and act nervous when we would try to include him. We took him to a small get together (not a full blown party, just a few chill people hanging out) and though we kept on trying to get him to socialize some, but he just stood in a corner. This always made me mad because he and I eventually got to the point where he was really comfortable talking to me and he was actually a funny and witty guy. But socialization is a skill that requires practice just like anything else.

Thats a great idea, I am also more comfortable with a small group of friends hanging out than a large party. It's actually very kind of you, and it probably helped alot more than he ever told you (or showed you). I'm pretty sure he likes you ALOT, and thinks highly of you for having patience with him.

 

[kintaris]

You can get addicted to games as much as you can anything, so I would say games could be bad for your mental health, but only as much as many other things.

As someone who suffers from depression I personally believe that games can be a relief when things get too much, but should not be a permanent crutch. The problem with depression is that you have to lift yourself out of trouble when you are at a point when you feel like you can't. Problem with games is that they give you a sense of achievement and progression without actually doing anything relevant in the real world. So you can easily become addicted to games if you are prone to depression, as its a quick fix, like a drug, to emotional problems like loneliness, no sense of achievement, etc.

...substitute "play games" for "read books" and it's the same story, which I think a lot of people overlook when they talk about gaming from the outside.

I'd say they're likely more stimulating for your brain then books and TV are at any rate.

The only argument I'd make against this is that games, rather than TV or books, simulate a sense of achievement and personal development that for some, who are impressionable or suffer from depression or similar health issues, can replace any achievement or personal development in the real world.

But in the end I think the problem is deeper than the games themselves. The only people I see adversely mentally affected by games or similar media have usually had characteristics of that mental affliction separate or previous to their addiction.

 

[Lord Mountbatten Reborn]

I game a lot, and have done so for years, and would like to think that I do not fit the stereotype. I'm in good shape, have self-esteem issues that involve me thinking too highly of myself rather than the other way around, can converse with most people easily, and on good days I am offsetting in my ability to be completely un-shy.

Yes, I would be considered by people in my school to be a "nerd", but I have never seen gaming as being a massive detriment to my life, and I play enough to be able to adapt to most any game when I come across it, to the point of annoying others.

It was illuminating to see in another thread how many of us don't actually game for pleasure but to cover for an inadequacy, it really changed how I think about debating gaming, suddenly the over-passionate defences and rush to exempt gaming from any criticism make a horrible sense.

Why would someone game if not for fun? I cannot fathom that. If I'm not having fun, I couldn't possibly continue to play. Gaming is my primary source of entertainment.

 

[Mad Fast]

I do believe it can be bad for you, but in moderation like everything it isn't a problem. For example I find on the rare occasion I play games all day, I get grouchy and irritable and don't sleep well, but the same could be said about doing anything to excess. It's all down to getting a healthy balance.

 

[DSK-]

I don't think so. If anything it helps relieve stress and the various aggressive/murderous thoughts I have

Besides, games have taught me more than school, college and university ever has.

 

[demoman_chaos]

Being a lifetime gamer, I had no issues like yours. Socially I did ok and school wasn't tough for me. I haven't been a fatty either.

So your experienes are yours and yours only. We all experience life in our own way and we shouldn't blame something for our troubles unless it is a universal problem (you can blame smoking for lung cancer since almost all smokers end up with lung issues, but you can't blame games for schools shootings since less than 1% of gamers shoot up their school). Majority of gamers aren't the stereotypical smelly fat kid with pimples and social issues, so gaming is not your problem.

I will provide a few solutions: eat healither, excersize more, study harder, and find more things that interest you than just gaming (for me it is history and automobiles, for you it is likely going to be different).
Chubbiness comes from taking in more calories than you burn, so you don't have to be a vegan to be skinny. Just burn more calories than you take in and the fat will begin to fade away. Eating slowly helps you get full on less (it gives more time for the food to make it to the stomach, ensuring you don't overeat as much and you get to enjoy your food a lot more than the people that inhale it), which translates to less calories coming in. Even something as simple as fidgeting in your chair can help burn more calories. Drink more water and cut back on soda and energy drinks as well as cutting back on junk foods. I'd recommend avoiding fast food if you can, they like to put in a LOT of excess chemicals (some are intended to make you feel less full so you buy another burger, I can eat 2 double-cheeseburgers from McDonalds no problem but a home-grilled single-patty burger is more than enough to fill me) which aren't good for your body.

NOTE: I didn't bother to read the later half of the wall o text, but I read the first half.

 

[Jake0fTrades]

Being someone who grew up as the youngest among 10 kids on the same block in a suburb. I did what THEY wanted, I tried soccer, I tried baseball, I tried basketball. And it always ended with me feeling insecure and depressed because I couldn't compare to everyone else. Somewhere among those early years I picked up a GameBoy and I had a distraction from it all.

One by one all of those 10 kids moved away. So naturally I found a new clique, the same pattern happened, I went through a severe period of depression because everyone else was better than me at sports and whatnot. Until I picked up a Playstation 2. I did grow apart from my friends, but I found that I was happier.

Things've changed since then. I work with my High School's Play Productions. (Currently playing Tybalt in Romeo & Juliet.) And literally every waking moment I'm not in school or rehearsing, I'm sitting on MW2 dropping terrorists left and right. (Currently have 32 days online.) But me and my friends joke about it, and I'm widely considered to be very laid back.

For me, gaming became an escape from the things I hated, and it helped me relax. I think that gaming doesn't harm your mental health. But I think it's healthy to maintain multiple hobbies, not just gaming.

 

[PurplePlatypus]

I think videogames are taking the blame for this because it is what you happened to enjoy and had access to. I think you are such that if it weren?t videogames it would have been other types of escapism such as books that you would take to.

I don?t think games are the problem here; the problem is probably what you weren?t exposed to at some point in your life.

 

[Buizel91]

Nice first topic, it's better than hater threads that get created every other day by new users.

And personally it doesn't affect me, but we all know people can get addicted to games, (WoW for example) so in general, i would say yes.

 

[tzimize]

Well yes I honestly do think that they affect your mental health. Not because of what they are but because of what they're not.

People need social interaction, we're built around it and if we don't have it (sorry guys) we go very odd. Gaming isn't social, not the kind of social we need and if you spend hours at a time playing games you won't develop life skills. If you've got no friends and you game instead you're exacerbating the problem, not solving it.

Seems the crux of the matter was pointed out in the first reply.

I agree and I believe some (not all) of the problems some youths have with adjusting today might simply be because of the way western society lives. I my country, 50-60 years ago when my grandpa grew up a family was a factory. A social factory. Everyone helped everywhere, and everyone probably talked a lot more together too. Several generations lived together under one roof and entertainment at night was usually storytelling or something else involving talking to each other/entertaining each other/spending time with each other.

They didnt have TV, and barely radios. In a very short time a big part of society has completely changed. I would not be surprised if the average parent talks less to their children today than for just half a century ago. This might inhibit development in some social areas and cause some (not all) of the maladjustment we see today.

This however is the fault of games just as little as a murder is the fault of the weapon. We all choose how to live our life and how to raise our kids. If anything blame society, or the parents.