Dissertation study, for anybody who plays games on any platform or console.

[hoggsofway]

Hi,

I am doing my final year project based around games technology with anxiety and I'd really appreciate any answers I can get. You only need to answer this one question, I do not need to know your name, age, gender etc so this will all remain anonymous. I am only interested in how you feel the question applies to you personally, not in general. Please try to answer as honestly as possible. Thank you!

The question is:

Do you feel that games hinder, help or make no difference to your anxiety and why?

[dazza]

I used to be fond of gaming but have little desire for it these days.
Got an XBOX-360 in the living room just gathering dust.

I'll give it a go, perhaps later this evening... wouldn't mind shooting up a few enemies in Call of Duty black ops again. It's been a while.

Hard one to predict really since the distraction / concentration may help, yet the tension may not.
My money is on it NOT helping, particularly if the game is of a gory / bloody / violent / scary nature.

Knock-on effects could occur when trying to sleep later in the evening. Thoughts of having your head chewed off by a brain eating Alien or falling off a high-rise building may not go down too well when trying to relax.
Games can do this... certain scenes / scenarios can stick around in your head for a while, sometimes long after you've finished.

Other knock-on effects are addiction (gotta finish level 2... shit, now gotta finish level 3) lack of sleep (time passes quickly and before you know it the birds are singing) - both of which are likely to cause anxiety.

So... you need to look at the bigger picture (e.g. knock-on or side effects, not just the game play itself)

[Enduronman]

I do not play any type of games, anywhere, on any contraption, computer, console,..anything. They WOULD aggravate my anxiety, so I do not allow that to happen. I also can NOT watch dramafied stupids**t TV like reality shows or anything like that. Usually no TV at all that I pay attention too, and NO news or newspapers because IDGAF who got shot in central Oregon by a masked gunman nor does it affect me either..yay. I did however have a guy that worked for me that would talk about some kindof modern warfare s**t all the time and had some stupid helmet, goggles, microphone...and he was like mid 30's with a family, kids, wife but played some kinda war games all the time that pi**ed his wife off too...

Enduronman...

[dazza]

Gaming addiction has a lot to answer for in terms of relationship / marriage breakdowns.

My sister's ex (note I say EX) used to be up all night on his PlayStation, talking to fuck-knows-who from all over the planet with his head gear on.

[Enduronman]

YES!! headgear, thats what it was..F**kin retarded!!! abahahhahaahaaaa!!!

[jhunter89]

Yes, I am a ps3 widow. I don't mind, keeps him entertained! lol!

[dazza]

On the flip-side, there's a LOT worse a bloke could be doing...

I'm gonna defend it a little now, actually:

A lot of blokes need constant entertainment. They gotta keep their mind active and have to be doing stuff / a hobby.

I'm like this. I struggle to sit on the sofa watching telly for long durations. I'd much rather being using my hands or head on SOMETHING, ANYTHING...

D.I.Y., graphics design, animations, playing guitar, drawing... whatever... I regularly need this stimulation and I reckon a lot of blokes are the same.

Gaming is just another stimulant, however, it has addictive attributes - and this is where it goes bad.

[Enduronman]

Thats why I can not game bruh..I have a HIGHLY addictive personality so I prevent anything that may interupt the stability..

[jhunter89]

I can't play games, simply because they bore me after 5 mins. Although I used to love playing the sims and need for speed games are alright.

[joshbagosh]

I'm a video game guru! I find it relaxing to play and it really distracts me from my GAD symptoms, but if I'm playing a game like call of duty, I find myself getting frustrated and angry if things don't go my way. Which in turn raises my heart rate, increases blood pressure, and in turn increasing my anxiety levels!

[raggamuffin]

I play PC games nowadays. I find they help with my anxiety. Most games make me fixate entirely on the game and then symptoms often lessen or subside entirely. It used to be the opposite, and certain games (especially online shooters) would actually cause panic attacks due to the adrenaline rushes.

Ed

[kdubg]

Video games in general do wonders for my generalized anxiety disorder, that's why I play them so much! Keeps me busy!

[dazza]

Video games in general do wonders for my generalized anxiety disorder, that's why I play them so much! Keeps me busy!

Yes, BUT...

You HAVE anxiety disorder! lol... there could be a link.

It is thought that excessive gamers use gaming as an avoidance coping mechanism. In other words, rather than go socialize, shopping or whatever, they'd much rather sit playing games thus avoiding everyday duties.

Studies have indeed shown this to be the case, where excessive gamers exhibited lower coping skills than that of balanced gamers.

[Tristanayoubi]

for me, being only 15 years old, I play video games all the time... It makes me feel absolutely no anxiety.. its almost like it takes it away ...

look up: neurofeedback

its kind of like playing video games to change your brain waves..

[dazza]

for me, being only 15 years old, I play video games all the time... It makes me feel absolutely no anxiety.. its almost like it takes it away ...

look up: neurofeedback

its kind of like playing video games to change your brain waves..

YES, BUT...........

They may help at the time of playing it, but you gotta look at the bigger picture.
What happens when you've finished playing it? what do you do then?

Gaming can be a form of escapism. Escaping from real life.

[kdubg]

I'm 25 years old. I worry about my health. I have steadily played video games since I have been 7 years old. I have my BA am working on my MBA, have a great social life, and a girlfriend of 6 years. As long as you balance video games with your life, it keeps your mind stimulated. It is NOT a coping mechanism, but rather, is a hobby, if gaming is considered a coping mechanism, then so should every single hobby that anyone has.

[Tristanayoubi]

YES, BUT...........

They may help at the time of playing it, but you gotta look at the bigger picture.
What happens when you've finished playing it? what do you do then?

Gaming can be a form of escapism. Escaping from real life.

YES, BUT................

i dont have anxiety anymore so it doesnt matter lol x)

[jhunter89]

Don't brag too much or it may come back n bite you in the ass.

[jhunter89]

^ joking btw

[hoggsofway]

I'm a video game guru! I find it relaxing to play and it really distracts me from my GAD symptoms, but if I'm playing a game like call of duty, I find myself getting frustrated and angry if things don't go my way. Which in turn raises my heart rate, increases blood pressure, and in turn increasing my anxiety levels!

Thank you this is a great response!

[hoggsofway]

Thank you for the responses so far everyone I'm really appreciating this. As I stated at the start of the thread, I am only trying to gather information on how it affects your individual situations, I will not be recording data on how you feel it affects the general population or anyone that isn't you as it will not be relevant for my study.

Thank you! :)

[Buttercup]

I think I may be a bit of an exception here as I am female and an avid gamer! I have always played games on consoles but during a very bad period of anxiety and depression I discovered World of warcraft on the PC and was beyond hooked. When I played in the virtual world I forgot about my anxiety and depression and for hours at a time I would immerse myself in a fantasy world where these problems did not exist. In a way that was very helpful for me but I got to the point where i would be much happier on the game rather than trying to sort out my real life problems. Sitting in a darkened room for hours at a time was a great escape and it did not make my anxiety worse but it was such a distraction that I stopped even attempting to get better. I'll admit that this went on for months until one day something clicked and I realised I had to get out in the real world. With the help of therapy and meds and willpower I did that.
I still play ps3 games and can play for hours at a time but I now have a proper balance between gaming, working and socialising. I can get angry at games but not anxious- I enjoy playing and being a geek sometimes but in a limited capacity!

[dazza]

>I'll admit that this went on for months until one day something clicked and I realised I had to get out in the real world

Glad you realized that one!

This is what I've being saying... the act of gaming can distract you and WE ALL know that distractions are good for anxiety.

However, gaming is addictive and this is when it turns bad.

I think that gaming addiction indicates a personality trait that the addict is not necessarily, consciously aware of - and that is avoidance.
Avoidance of real world interaction and duties.

Gaming almost becomes an excuse not to do anything.

I believe there is a link between avoidance and anxiety.

Why would we avoid? the answer is because whatever we are avoiding, probably makes us anxious for some either obvious or distant reason.

For example:

Little Jonny would much rather play Call of Duty than go shopping with his mum.
Why? well, ok, shopping is often boring for kids, but also... the kid maybe anxious of the social aspect of shopping, or just of being in a crowded shop.
(I.e. there could be a hidden meaning)

[Jo Smith]

I find games can distract me but at the same time I always have thoughts in the back of my head. Like this really isnt helping myself, and i should be out there enjoying myself. But then I remember that when i go outside, i panic and feel awful, and it sure isnt fun. Infact Ive only started playing since my anxirty has flared. Mostly because I need more indoor activies to keep my mind busy.

[dazza]

>Mostly because I need more indoor activies to keep my mind busy

Naked TWISTER is also another, interesting, indoor activity... :-D

[jhunter89]

It's not so fun when you play it on your own.

[dazza]

Hah!

Always leave out the guy who has flatulance! :-/

[jhunter89]

And don't play it when gran comes to visit

[dazza]

And don't play it when gran comes to visit

uughhh...oooohh.....urrrrrrrrrrrr.... uuhhhhhhhhhh

<serious gagging>


That reminds me, tuna sandwich for tea..

[jhunter89]

Haha cottage cheese Mmmmm