The Effects of Video Games on Mental Health

Video games are an escape from reality for many people. Lilah Pace once said “Sometimes life is like a video game. When things get harder and the obstacles get tougher that means you’ve leveled up.”(Gibby-Brown, 2023) While video games have been around for quite a while, the prevalence of people who play video games has increased incredibly after the global pandemic. Many use video games like other people use books, as a coping mechanism. Video games have favorable effects on mental health while some have detrimental effects. The main difference between the good and the bad is moderation. 

While video games tend to be frowned upon, studies show the positive impacts on people who play video games. Video games release endorphins like serotonin, which are basically just happy chemicals. Think of when you’ve had a long day and you finally sit down with some chocolate ice cream, well that is how people feel when they are able to play video games at the end of the day. Playing video games is said to increase several cognitive skills like memory, problem-solving skills, and reasoning. The relaxation people feel when playing video games is said to lower anxiety. There were also studies that prove playing video games helps people build resilience and that failure is not always a bad thing which in turn lowers the risk for depression. I like to look at it like this we all like to enjoy watching television but it only works if that screen time is moderated.

The Effects of Video Games on Mental Health

Now while there are the pros to video games there are also the cons. The cons to video games seem to only be prevalent when they are not able to self-regulate the time they are spending playing video games.  Depression is said to be the number one mental illness that gamers experience. When people are not able to regulate the time spent playing video games the other important aspects of their life seem to lack attention. This in the end causes them to feel isolated and alone which just tends to dig them into a deeper hole.  Another symptom of mental illness gamers tend to experience is social anxiety. Gamers are stuck behind a screen for many hours in the day which means they are getting little to no in-person interaction. Due to them feeling uneasy in social events, this causes them to spend even more time behind a screen.

In conclusion, there are very good points to both sides of the argument. Video games can help build cognitive skills but without moderation, it can lead to negative impacts on one’s mental health. When you use video games in moderation gaming can be that escape from reality that you need. Just like any addiction don’t let the comfort you feel when you are able to hide behind a screen take over your life, because in the end, no video game is more important than your mental health. 

Https://Www.Apa.Org. 2013. “Video Games Play May Provide Learning, Health, Social Benefits, Review Finds,” November 25, 2013. https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2013/11/video-games.

Adair, Cam. 2022. “Video Games and Mental Health: How Gaming Affects Your Mental Health.” Game Quitters. September 18, 2022. https://gamequitters.com/how-gaming-affects-your-mental-health/.