Playing video games is fun, there’s no doubt about that. Kids love it, their parents must’ve spent their weekends perfecting King’s 10-hit combo back in the day.
Heck, their grandparents even took the controller away from you during the pandemic to pass the time and called it family bonding at some point. It turned out to be an awesome idea to share what you love with your loved ones, but as with everything else, there must be a limit.
While moderate gaming may have some benefits, such as enhanced problem-solving and decision-making skills, increased hand-eye coordination, and improved cognitive skills, excessive screen time can often lead to anxiety, depression, and other psychological risks.
According to Choosing Therapy, video games were created to be addictive. It can be a good outlet to relax after a stressful day, yes, but for those who focus almost all their attention to gaming, becoming “stuck” in their digital world can trigger video game anxiety, or those negative feelings when gamers fail a level, or if they feel that they’re the reason why their team didn’t make it to the qualifying round.
Symptoms of gaming anxiety include, among others, irritability before or after gaming; feeling of dread when they stop; restlessness; obsessive thoughts about the game, and a strong urge to play even when doing other things.
Research also suggests a pattern between excessive gaming and depression. As an emerging disorder with links to physical and psychological consequences, Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) is closely linked to depression, sleep deprivation, suicidal ideation, and lower life and academic satisfaction.
There is also the issue of gamers isolating themselves from society, or those who turn to gaming as their means of escaping life’s harsh realities. This disconnect can severely affect their overall well-being and can heighten feelings of low self-esteem, loneliness, misuse of illegal substances and alcohol, and lower satisfaction with their life.
Don’t let video games play you. Take control, be responsible, and use the directional buttons to take a positive route.
