On both the political and cultural fronts, video games serve as a polarizing subject. Not always, but more often than the gaming industry is comfortable with. The media runs with narratives that sometimes results in fear-mongering. Sometimes, there’s truth to claims, other times, not.
One narrative we hear a lot is that video games result in anxiety for people who play them.
But do they?
Anxiety and Video Games
The claim is simple: Video games cause anxiety. There’s a number of publications out there citing that video games are the culprit of many anxiety cases. News sites such as Wired claim “Video Game Anxiety is Real.“
The article claims that even games intended to sooth can arise negative feelings and reactions from people, particularly when the gamer fails to increase levels, or doesn’t live up to the team’s expectations.
There’s certainly something to be said regarding failure and anxiety as a whole. The question is, is gaming failure really any different from general failure in the way it increases an anxious state?
Anxiety comes in many forms. And certainly, it would be tough to pin gaming failure as a unique failure.
The downside to gaming is that it is easily accessible and doesn’t commonly involve a lot of exercise, which might help neutralize failure induced anxiety. For example, if you play street basketball and lose, you’re mental health likely benefited from the work out involved in game play. You don’t get that same benefit from playing Call of Duty, or GTA.
Gaming also plays into addiction and with any addiction comes anxiety.
The Science
There’s no great evidence that gaming causes anxiety. In fact, a 2022 study showed that, “no statistically significant difference in anxiety levels or daytime sleepiness between expert and non-expert video gamers, and minimal to mild anxiety levels were reported in most expert and non-expert gamers. “
This doesn’t mean that gaming can’t or won’t cause anxiety. Everyone is built different. And the diversity of gaming styles and types certainly plays a role. Moreover, the science and research is limited meaning that whether or not gaming causes anxiety is a bit of an unresolved matter.
So how might gamers deal with anxiety?
Ways To Reduce Gaming Anxiety
- Take breaks: It is important to take breaks from gaming, especially if you are feeling anxious. Get up and move around, or do something else that you enjoy.
- Set limits: Set limits on how much time you spend gaming each day. This will help you to avoid feeling overwhelmed or stressed.
- Choose the right games: Choose games that are relaxing and enjoyable for you. Avoid games that are too challenging or stressful.
- Play with friends: Playing games with friends can be a great way to relieve stress and anxiety. It can also help you to feel more connected to others.
- Take care of yourself: Make sure to get enough sleep, eat healthy foods, and exercise regularly. These things can help to improve your overall mood and well-being.
- Talk to someone: If you are struggling to manage your anxiety, talk to a therapist or counselor. They can help you to develop coping mechanisms and strategies for managing your anxiety.
If you are experiencing severe anxiety, it is important to seek professional help. A therapist or counselor can help you to develop a treatment plan that is right for you.