Do Video Games Make Depression Worse?

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Do video games make depression worse? Heck, I've been too busy to play video games lately and that makes me depressed. That counts doesn't it?

Researchers performed a study a few years back that was published in the journal Pediatrics. It was called Pathological Video Game Use Among Youths: A Two-Year Longitudinal Study. (A longitudinal study looks at one group of subjects over time.) In this study, they looked at the gaming habits of schoolchildren in Singapore over the course of two years to try to determine if what they refer to as "pathological gaming" has an impact on the subjects' lives and mental health. They found a definite correlation between heavy gaming and symptoms of depression.
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Wow, what a correlation! These guys really spent their time on an important study.

I wonder if someone watched TV "pathologically" in massive amounts, the results would be the same" Fuck if I know. Let's do a study!
 
Yes, just look at anyone who is addicted to The Sims franchise, when they realize in the real world you can't just walk around and find shit then buy a kick ass house with it all becomes depressing :D
 
I've found a definite correlation between heavy gaming and symptoms of drowsiness. Send me research money!
 
Gilbert_pwns said:
I guess when you use video games as a form of escapism then it would have effect.
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I agree, Sometimes people get so caught up in video games that it literally takes over their lives. Shoot, I'm an IT guy and working with computers all day and then getting home to sit on my computer already drives me nuts! :p
 
Gilbert_pwns said:
I guess when you use video games as a form of escapism then it would have effect.
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Yes. I play games to have fun, but I put the controller down and go play outside (even when I was younger). I never understood the whole "video games = violence/depression/etc" thing, because I didn't experience it. But, there are those that use video games as an escape from the real world and not as a fun 'game'.
 
I think many forms of media can and will be used as a form of escapism. I actually know people who use writing/roleplaying as a form of escapism. I write myself to convey my thoughts sometimes.

I think the reason that video games is such a prominent form of this use is because they are so vivid, vast, and expansive. You can literally live in another world and live another life in another video game which is really hard to do in other forms of entertainment.
 
Obviously not a single commenter here has had any experience with Major Depression Disorder.
 
Gilbert_pwns said:
I think many forms of media can and will be used as a form of escapism. I actually know people who use writing/roleplaying as a form of escapism. I write myself to convey my thoughts sometimes.

I think the reason that video games is such a prominent form of this use is because they are so vivid, vast, and expansive. You can literally live in another world and live another life in another video game which is really hard to do in other forms of entertainment.
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Exactly, it's another life instantly at your fingertips. That's also why it's easy to get addicted to as well.
Ur_Mom said:
Yes. I play games to have fun, but I put the controller down and go play outside (even when I was younger). I never understood the whole "video games = violence/depression/etc" thing, because I didn't experience it. But, there are those that use video games as an escape from the real world and not as a fun 'game'.
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So are you, just to a lesser degree. These things are a spectrum, and if one goes far enough that it negatively impacts his/her life function, it then becomes a disorder.
Trekari said:
Obviously not a single commenter here has had any experience with Major Depression Disorder.
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Major depressive disorder. And I've had a good deal of experience with it (personal life and professional life).
 
Answer: Only if you're OCD and also playing an OCD game like a MMO, or maybe a Facebook game, yea that would make anyone depressed.
 
Mr. K6 said:
So are you, just to a lesser degree. These things are a spectrum, and if one goes far enough that it negatively impacts his/her life function, it then becomes a disorder.
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True. But, in the same manner as a jacking off fantasy. 12 seconds of bliss with Miss January then back to the real world. Doesn't affect me at all. Wash my hands, and go about my day without a thought.

No disorder. Only treated mental disorder I have now is anxiety/panic attacks. I can trace to when/why/who they started with, too (had depression at the beginning, too). Some things set it off and others don't. I understand that anxiety and why it exists and how it manifests and grows in my mind.

Getting lost in a game or fantasy world isn't as simple to me. I can pretend very well, though. Not as good as when I was a kid, but I can still play and pretend and stuff. Just can't live in that world or let it dictate my feelings. That's not to say I have a good grasp on my emotions - I really don't - it's just that I have an easy time separating fact from fiction.

I don't know if games can give you that social community (even MMORPG's) that real life can. Being social can help with depression. Maybe it's the lack of REAL interaction and the smile you can give people that makes depression worse. But, I guess you can get into a downward spiral. Need the game, don't leave, get depressed, play game to relieve stress, get more depressed.....
 
I'm depressed that I'm at work and not playing. How's that for a reversal? :D
 
Quite the opposite in fact. Depression leads to addictive behaviors that try to curb said depression. Gaming is just another outlet to attempt to bleed out the effects of depression.

Source: Life-long depression suffer, myself.

In my case the gaming eases the depression as does severe alcohol dependency. Just another vice, that in no way makes it worse. Now getting into online gaming is a whole 'nother story. People online are generally assholes and that indeed makes depression worse. But that is not the games fault.
 
Only when I'm losing! Or the game sucks...or my system can't run it satisfactorily :p
But seriously, I don't buy into every "gaming causes 'X' problem", but I do believe that gaming can affect pre existing disorders that people have.
 
mynamehere said:
But seriously, I don't buy into every "gaming causes 'X' problem", but I do believe that gaming can affect pre existing disorders that people have.
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Games don't cause those problems, but they can make them worse, I agree. A psychopath will find an outlet (books, TV, games, internet) and become addicted. Then, when shit goes down, they look for blame. It's easy to point the finger at those instead of the guy that did the shit. It has to be blamed on something. The killer is usually a victim of media/games/bad childhood and can't just be a deranged psycho killer by nature.
 
FUCK NO. If anything video games makes you feel better about depression!!!!!!


Assuming you win.... when you lost the game... then I feel like slitting my wrists and start bashing the wall.
 
Ur_Mom said:
Games don't cause those problems, but they can make them worse, I agree. A psychopath will find an outlet (books, TV, games, internet) and become addicted. Then, when shit goes down, they look for blame. It's easy to point the finger at those instead of the guy that did the shit. It has to be blamed on something. The killer is usually a victim of media/games/bad childhood and can't just be a deranged psycho killer by nature.
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You got what I was saying. :)
 
Trekari said:
Obviously not a single commenter here has had any experience with Major Depression Disorder.
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Agreed. We need to hear more from 25 year old and > "adults" still living in Mommy and Daddy's house to get an accurate assessment.
 
ICOM said:
Agreed. We need to hear more from 25 year old and > "adults" still living in Mommy and Daddy's house to get an accurate assessment.
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It'd be better than ignorant bullshit like this.
 
Agreed K6.

I've dealt with MDD for the better part of 11 years now. It isn't a joking matter. ICOM definitely displayed exactly the kind of person s/he is with just a single sentence.

Well done.
 
Mr. K6 said:
It'd be better than ignorant bullshit like this.
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Indeed. While I cannot speak for individuals who still live with their parents I have dealt with severe depression for years, so I'll provide such insight, briefly.

I have Bi-polar, sometimes manic, primarily depressed, for over 16 years. I always had some kind of coping mechanism to help me through the worst of it. I've taken up a variety of hobbies and interests, over the years. The most effective of which has been gaming and reading SF with a side of researching interesting technologies promoted in both. They're mediums which expose a mind to new ideas, ways of viewing the world, while being a distraction from the fact that there's almost no rational justification to continue living.

They allowed me to engage in critical thinking, or simply allow myself to be completely distracted. This is something other activities could not do in a way that mattered. Luckily the physiological changes which occur in the brain during the mid-twenties helped me a great deal so things are no longer so bleak. I was able to drop most of my meds. I can actually say I enjoy something, or dislike it, with feeling to where it has meaning.

It took over half my lifetime but things improved. The primary issue with disorders like this which are severe is that medical science has no solutions. It can provide tools to enable you to find a solution, but the solution can only be found by learning to deal with something few, and perhaps none, have learned to do. How one reacts to stimuli is dictated by upbringing, intelligence, knowledge, experience, and a variety of other factors. When they all continually place you, as a person, as being part of very small percentile of the human population the likelihood of finding someone with a solution to a problem of this nature is, well, I haven't met one yet and, it would be quite the experience to talk to such a person.
 
Well I can say that playing games helps me deal with depression. Also some shows I watch help me. Problem I have is sometimes I wish I was their more so than here. There is just so much about certain peoples that bugs me and makes me want to be secluded. Or to get away for a long time.

Also if anyone asks yes I live at home still but I am in college and trying to get by. Also only 22yrs old.
 
going to say .... no it doesnt if any thing it helps ask how i know >.>

that study is full of shit like most are
 
oh best thing i have found yet was picking up RC flying again after years away
it gets my mind off stuff and gets me up and out of the house
if you havent tried it check it out :D stop by your local hobby shop or RC club most love visitors and will teach you to fly for free
 
I'm not seeing anything here that's not totally obvious.

First off, the article:
They talk about symptoms on kids who were 'heavy gamers', which is not precisely quantified, but let's assume it is more than 5 hours/day. Even the writer says that during his depressive phase he was spending the majority of his day playing.
Obvious fact #1: Anyone who spends all of their free time on a single activity (gaming, TV, Exercising, Reading) has some emotional deficits.

Obvious fact #2: Anyone with emotional issues will naturally look for a means of escape. Games are as good as anything.

Life:
Obvious fact #3: No one is happy all of the time. I've got a lovely wife, an adorable little baby boy, a good job, and a mule - but even I, some days, am just hating on everyone. Money worries, no free time, sleeplessness blah!

Obvious fact #4: Escapism is good. It's not true that escaping does not fix your problems. Having a good hobby, and engaging in it in moderation can help alleviate stress and enable you to cope with your problems better.

....blah :eek:

P.S.
Anyone who runs marathons regularly has issues. There's no health benefit to running for more than an hour every day. Heck you're probably just doing more damage. But marathoners are heroes, whereas gamers are parasitic deadbeats./sarcasm
 
In general, yes. Video games are too often used as an escape from reality, when time should be spent confronting problems. That said - undepressed people who play video games once in a while are not going to get depressed from playing a couple matches of halo.
 
JosiahBradley said:
Quite the opposite in fact. Depression leads to addictive behaviors that try to curb said depression. Gaming is just another outlet to attempt to bleed out the effects of depression.

Source: Life-long depression suffer, myself.

In my case the gaming eases the depression as does severe alcohol dependency. Just another vice, that in no way makes it worse. Now getting into online gaming is a whole 'nother story. People online are generally assholes and that indeed makes depression worse. But that is not the games fault.
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You really think addictive behaviors like gaming, alcoholism, etc are curbing your depression? You may want to do a little brutally honest self exploration... "In no way makes it worse" is a scary comment, denial can be a huge root in these things manifesting.
 
TurdFurgusand said:
In general, yes. Video games are too often used as an escape from reality, when time should be spent confronting problems.
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Bingo. None of you guys get it posting in this thread. Video games are a huge escape from reality mechanism.

I have spent about 4k into my house in the last year. Probably none of it I will see back in the sale price ever. Not to mention I probably need to spend another 4k. This pretty much makes me depressed and I think I have played more video games in the last year than just confronting the problem.
 
roaf85 said:
Bingo. None of you guys get it posting in this thread. Video games are a huge escape from reality mechanism.

I have spent about 4k into my house in the last year. Probably none of it I will see back in the sale price ever. Not to mention I probably need to spend another 4k. This pretty much makes me depressed and I think I have played more video games in the last year than just confronting the problem.
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But that's assuming that your problems are as easy to fix as turning off a faucet.

The original article writer lost his job. Sure he could've spent more time improving his skills and networking, but that's easier said than done, especially when you're depressed, feeling useless, and having suicidal thoughts. If he was that kind of a go-getter, he probably would've never lost his job in the first place.

Your statement is like people who say to alcoholics - "you just need to drink less". Or telling fat people "you should just eat less. What's the big deal?" If only things were that simple.
 
mastaBlasta said:
But that's assuming that your problems are as easy to fix as turning off a faucet.

The original article writer lost his job. Sure he could've spent more time improving his skills and networking, but that's easier said than done, especially when you're depressed, feeling useless, and having suicidal thoughts. If he was that kind of a go-getter, he probably would've never lost his job in the first place.

Your statement is like people who say to alcoholics - "you just need to drink less". Or telling fat people "you should just eat less. What's the big deal?" If only things were that simple.
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+1
Agree
 
roaf85 said:
Bingo. None of you guys get it posting in this thread. Video games are a huge escape from reality mechanism.

I have spent about 4k into my house in the last year. Probably none of it I will see back in the sale price ever. Not to mention I probably need to spend another 4k. This pretty much makes me depressed and I think I have played more video games in the last year than just confronting the problem.
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Which would mean that gaming isn't the problem, the problem is you. Games don't cause you to escape reality, you were already looking for an escape.
 
LeninGHOLA said:
Which would mean that gaming isn't the problem, the problem is you. Games don't cause you to escape reality, you were already looking for an escape.
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Or not. People are in situations every day like what I mentioned. Think about someone who loses their job, most of the time in this economy layoffs are completely out of ones control.

So what would be the better escape? Drugs? Sex? Booze?

You are assuming that most peoples lives are just so awesome.

Fuck I know a guy who makes like 200k, but he travels all the time. Every week he is living in a certain part of Minnesota. What does he do to "escape" the reality of the situation that he isn't at home with his wife and kids all night during the week?

He plays video games.

I find this acceptable. Lesser of 2 evils to be honest. I think you are treating it like it is a personal problem, which to an extent it is, but who is perfect really should throw the first stone.
 
Games are literally one of the cheapest/healthiest in the grand scheme of things addictions out there.

Think about the most basic 3 vices that have stood the test of time: gambling/hookers (sex and paying for it) and getting fucked up via drugs/drinking etc.
 
roaf85 said:
Or not. People are in situations every day like what I mentioned. Think about someone who loses their job, most of the time in this economy layoffs are completely out of ones control.

So what would be the better escape? Drugs? Sex? Booze?

You are assuming that most peoples lives are just so awesome.

Fuck I know a guy who makes like 200k, but he travels all the time. Every week he is living in a certain part of Minnesota. What does he do to "escape" the reality of the situation that he isn't at home with his wife and kids all night during the week?

He plays video games.

I find this acceptable. Lesser of 2 evils to be honest. I think you are treating it like it is a personal problem, which to an extent it is, but who is perfect really should throw the first stone.
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Eh? From the post I quoted, you seemed to imply it was a problem. If it isn't, then don't worry about it.
 
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