Video games as a medicine against depression

Video games have a reputation for being a poor use of time, with some people choosing to spend endless days trapped in a new gaming universe. However, they are a fantastic form of escapism and an excellent tool for people with depression and mental health disorders. There have been many studies researching playing video games as a medicine against depression, and today we’re going to delve deeper into how video games and virtual reality can assist people with depressive symptoms.

Symptoms of Depression

Before going any further, it’s important to understand the symptoms of depression. It’s vital that people are aware of these, in order to try and help family or friends who may suffer at some point in their life. Depression affects individuals both psychologically and physically, and the symptoms are complex and can vary between those who suffer. Individuals suffering from depression often feel hopeless, sad and lose interest in things they used to enjoy in their life. They may avoid contact with friends and family, as well as suffer from physical symptoms such as a change in weight and a lack of energy.

Depression can be mild, moderate, or severe, and the symptoms and the impact it has on each person’s life will naturally be dependent on its severity. For those suffering from more severe depression, therapy and anti-depressants may be used to combat these negative feelings, although it is not something that goes away quickly for most individuals. Clinical depression can be triggered by various events in people’s lives or can just come from out of the blue, with no clear reason for appearing. It’s important to understand these symptoms in order to see how video gaming and other forms of escapism could be used to help those with any of these signs.

Video Games and Depression

With many sufferers struggling to enjoy their previous favorite hobbies and activities, if someone you know is suffering from depression and enjoys video games, this may actually be a good sign. While video games get a bad reputation, they are a fantastic escape from reality, allowing players to be fully immersed in a game. People stop worrying about their troubles when playing and are fully fixated on the task at hand.

Games that involve high levels of concentration can pass the time extremely quickly. For those fighting depression, it can be a much better way to spend a day than lying in bed, wishing for the day to be over already.

While video games won’t specifically cure depression, they can certainly ease symptoms for some individuals. While many people with depression isolate themselves from friends and family, some may feel comfortable still interacting virtually through a gaming group. This will give them some much-needed social interaction, with less pressure than in a face-to-face setting.

Video games are incredibly popular in the United States and the world as a whole, and their effects can be just as beneficial as other interventions for depression. SPARX was a game designed specifically to treat depression following recent studies, and gamers destroy negative thoughts, something that is essential for recovery from this illness.

It’s crucial that teenagers and adults fully understand the symptoms and consequences of depression, both for their own mental health and those around them. It’s important to take the time to read studies on depression to fully understand the effects this illness can have on people. If you or someone in your family is suffering, encourage them to reach out to a medical professional for assistance. While video games and other distractions are great to relax the body and brain, they aren’t a proper alternative for treatment for depression, such as cognitive behavioral therapy.

Virtual Reality

Virtual reality has become a mainstream type of gaming in the last few years and offers even more beneficial effects than regular gaming. While all gaming involves immersing players in a new world, virtual reality truly puts you in a new environment as you are completely immersed within the headset. With constant improvements to VR technology, there are new experiences and games being released and developed each month. Virtual reality also offers some fun experiences, such as traveling to far off countries, which, if you feel you aren’t up to when suffering, can be a fun escape from reality.

It’s important to remember that games shouldn’t be used to escape reality to an extent where individuals don’t receive the treatment they truly need. Gaming has been found to be helpful for those suffering from moderate depression, but unfortunately, is unlikely to completely destroy negative thought patterns.

However, it’s worth encouraging anyone who is suffering to continue gaming if you see it makes positive improvements to their social interactions and confidence following a session of play. If they hadn’t been up to taking part in their favorite activities previously, it might be a good sign if they have started to return to gaming and activities they enjoyed in the past.

Video games are not only a fun pastime for gamers; they can be a great intervention for adolescents and adults suffering from depression and mental health disorders. Randomized controlled non-inferiority trials have found users to be happier and more confident following play, which is something a wide range of age groups struggle from. Video games are the perfect distraction from reality for anyone who may be suffering, and used alongside conventional treatments, they may be the key to minimizing some of the symptoms of depression in the future.