Study: Videogame Addiction Leads to Depression

[Not G. Ivingname]

Snip

What the study fails to test if the depression is the cause of the video game playing.

The study didn't indicate if say the children in question are be socially rejected (and are now depressed) and have turned to their hobby to escape the real world.

It would be like seeing that the teenagers that are not in school drink the most coffee, then concluding that coffee kills braincells and makes kids go out of school. What is equally likely that is happening is that teenagers that dropped out just have the time to drink more coffee.

 

[Ersanven]

I found my life was a lot better when I was hardcore gaming. When I slipped into other things and wasn't gaming as much is when I got really depressed and anxious about things.

 

[MiracleOfSound]

I only get depressed from playing games because it feels like I just wasted my time.

I still have fun though.

As a wise old Ghoul once said, before going off to become a hooker:

'Time wasted on something you enjoy is not wasted time'

 

[MiracleOfSound]

Except for the fact that it, you know, doesn't.

If people are depressed it is their own fault.

Not really, it's the chemical imbalance's fault.

 

[Jfswift]

I think that people with depression already had the problem prior to playing games. The goes for people who lack the self control to turn the game off. These are social problems that are more noticeable with gaming activity (imho).

 

[Numb1lp]

I'm pretty sure that "game addiction" isn't even officially recognised as an actual addiction.

I'd have to disagree. I do know people who put video games in front of other important things when prioritizing.

And I'm sure it does cause depression, but I try to counteract it with physical activity, and it seems to be working decently for me.

 

[jumjalalabash]

You cant really apply a study done too strictly children define everyone who plays games. Kind of wonky imo.

 

[MiracleOfSound]

Except for the fact that it, you know, doesn't.

If people are depressed it is their own fault.

Not really, it's the chemical imbalance's fault.

They say it is a chemical imbalance to make it seem like it isn't their fault. It helps them fool themselves into thinking that they aren't a total failure. From what I can tell, it is fairly effective. So no reason not to continue this practice.

Wow.

I've read some dumb things on this site recently, but this wins hands down.

 

[Last Bullet]

My question in return to answer you is, dont most addictions lead to depression?

My thoughts exactly, remove the word 'videogame' from the title and the only response possible is "No duh." I guess this is more to 'prove' it's possible to get addicted to videogames, rather than the obvious addiction -> depression connection.

 

[cynicalsaint1]

I think any kind of addiction is going to lead to psychological issues, so really its not surprising to find a link between the two.

 

[Wow they sure are generous with the usernames]

Snip

What the study fails to test if the depression is the cause of the video game playing.

The study didn't indicate if say the children in question are be socially rejected (and are now depressed) and have turned to their hobby to escape the real world.

It would be like seeing that the teenagers that are not in school drink the most coffee, then concluding that coffee kills braincells and makes kids go out of school. What is equally likely that is happening is that teenagers that dropped out just have the time to drink more coffee.

Except the study isn't determining whether or not videogame addiction leads to depression at all. They studied the effects of intense video gaming on children and observed what happened in relation to depression. The title of the escapist article is a little misleading, but the scientific article is actually quite sound. They showed that the kids who did have social phobias and were depressed and then turned to video games became even MORE depressed and socially awkward, and that when they quit their depression became less intense.

 

[Vrud]

Sitting in one place for extended periods of time is going to decrease dopamine production, period.

 

[Woodsey]

I'm pretty sure that "game addiction" isn't even officially recognised as an actual addiction.

I'd have to disagree. I do know people who put video games in front of other important things when prioritizing.

And I'm sure it does cause depression, but I try to counteract it with physical activity, and it seems to be working decently for me.

"Officially recognised".

There's some sort of body that acknowledges these sorts of things. I mean, I'm sure you can be pretty much addicted to anything, but it obviously has to jump through some loop holes before people take you seriously on the matter.

I don't think prioritizing a hobby makes it an addiction either. If someone skipped work to go fishing, is that an addiction to fishing?

 

[MiracleOfSound]

I am not the dumb one for seeing through common lies that doctors tell.

Maybe you ought to read up on something called the "placebo effect" before speaking again. Tell them that there is a chemical imbalance, give them a bunch of sugar pills, charge 60 bucks for it and profit.

Douchebag doctors misdiagnosing people does not change the fact that actual depression is a chemical imbalance in the brain.

 

[Numb1lp]

I'm pretty sure that "game addiction" isn't even officially recognised as an actual addiction.

I'd have to disagree. I do know people who put video games in front of other important things when prioritizing.

And I'm sure it does cause depression, but I try to counteract it with physical activity, and it seems to be working decently for me.

"Officially recognised".

There's some sort of body that acknowledges these sorts of things. I mean, I'm sure you can be pretty much addicted to anything, but it obviously has to jump through some loop holes before people take you seriously on the matter.

I don't think prioritizing a hobby makes it an addiction either. If someone skipped work to go fishing, is that an addiction to fishing?

No, but if it constantly happens on a regular basis, and affects their life, maybe. I'm sorry, I should have worded myself better.

 

[TheXRatedDodo]

Except for the fact that it, you know, doesn't.

If people are depressed it is their own fault.

Not really, it's the chemical imbalance's fault.

Back during my depression, I got told it was a chemical imbalance. I called bullshit, got put on medication.
Fast forward 8 months (after 3 years of depression that nearly finished me off) and I beat it without my medication or the help of any other chemicals, but by sitting under a tree on a hill and being content to live in the moment.

Chemical imbalance my ass. What a horrible thing to tell someone.

 

[Woodsey]

I'm pretty sure that "game addiction" isn't even officially recognised as an actual addiction.

I'd have to disagree. I do know people who put video games in front of other important things when prioritizing.

And I'm sure it does cause depression, but I try to counteract it with physical activity, and it seems to be working decently for me.

"Officially recognised".

There's some sort of body that acknowledges these sorts of things. I mean, I'm sure you can be pretty much addicted to anything, but it obviously has to jump through some loop holes before people take you seriously on the matter.

I don't think prioritizing a hobby makes it an addiction either. If someone skipped work to go fishing, is that an addiction to fishing?

No, but if it constantly happens on a regular basis, and affects their life, maybe. I'm sorry, I should have worded myself better.

I get what you're saying, but I sometimes wonder if this whole things is just because it's games.

 

[Turtleboy1017]

In all honesty, I find this study to have at least some merit, even if it isn't completely and 100 percent accurate.

I've suffered from what I believe is mild depression, nothing along the lines of suicide or crying constantly, but definitely moderate. I found that these bouts tended to flare up when I was in the process of playing games more than I did anything else.

I would rather stay at home and game than go out with friends, and my schoolwork and social life suffered because of the amount of time I spent in my dreamland, my most recent place being the Mass Effect 2 universe.

When I didn't have a game to play all the time, I felt less inclined to stay at home, and lived a more balanced life.

So I don't believe excessive gaming can directly lead to depression, but it can certainly be a contributing factor, or at the very least a sign that a child may already be depressed.

 

[Layzor]

Is there an addiction that doesn't lead to depression or worse?

 

[Numb1lp]

I'm pretty sure that "game addiction" isn't even officially recognised as an actual addiction.

I'd have to disagree. I do know people who put video games in front of other important things when prioritizing.

And I'm sure it does cause depression, but I try to counteract it with physical activity, and it seems to be working decently for me.

"Officially recognised".

There's some sort of body that acknowledges these sorts of things. I mean, I'm sure you can be pretty much addicted to anything, but it obviously has to jump through some loop holes before people take you seriously on the matter.

I don't think prioritizing a hobby makes it an addiction either. If someone skipped work to go fishing, is that an addiction to fishing?

No, but if it constantly happens on a regular basis, and affects their life, maybe. I'm sorry, I should have worded myself better.

Now you bring up another interesting point. Do some people label others as "addicted" just because they want to use it as another weapon against the industry? I suppose there is a very fine line between addicted and passionate, but who decides what that is?

I get what you're saying, but I sometimes wonder if this whole things is just because it's games.