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"There is absolutely no doubt that eight hours or more of weekly gaming is evidence of depression for age groups 16 and up." But is it a form of self medicatio
by fsloth 5y ago
"There is absolutely no doubt that eight hours or more of weekly gaming is evidence of depression for age groups 16 and up."
But is it a form of self medication or pathology?
Being over 16 and gaming too much is an obvious probable pathology, but I would not see pathology as the only interpretation.
I had a pretty dark time in my life during which Kerbal Space Program may well have saved my life (by taking my mind completely off the bad stuff and giving a nice boost of the positive brain transmitters).
- AussieWog93 5y agoThere are definitely people who escape into video games to avoid dealing with problems in the real world. Perhaps this is a good thing in the short term (your experience definitely seems to suggest this!), but anecdotally many of the long-term, heavy games-players I know (mid-20s) seem to be taking on less responsibility, investing less into themselves, their future and the people around them, and failing to live up to their potential in a noticeable way. Very similar to weed smokers, thinking about it.
- swader999 5y agoThe dopamine profile of doing this can't be great.