Schizophrenia and Video Games
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- čas přidán 27. 04. 2023
- Hello everyone! I'm Stephen. Let's delve into the fascinating world of "non-violent strategy video games" and their positive impact on individuals recovering from schizophrenia. As a schizophrenia survivor and an avid strategy video game player for the past 11 years, I have experienced firsthand the many benefits of gaming, from enhancing critical thinking skills to reducing anxiety and stress. In this post, we will explore research findings on how strategy video games can aid recovery and empower individuals with schizophrenia while highlighting the importance of maintaining a balanced lifestyle to avoid potential negative consequences of excessive gaming.
The Cognitive Benefits of Non-Violent Strategy Video Games
Recent research has demonstrated that playing strategy video games can lead to various cognitive enhancements, particularly in critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making. These skills are essential for navigating the complex challenges faced by individuals with schizophrenia, making strategy video games a valuable tool for recovery and personal growth.
Benefits of playing non-violent video games for individuals recovering from schizophrenia:
Cognitive enhancement:
Strategy games often require players to employ critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. Research has indicated that engaging in these cognitively demanding tasks can improve cognitive functioning and promote neuroplasticity, potentially benefiting individuals recovering from schizophrenia (Han et al., 2017). A study conducted by Green and Bavelier (2012) found that individuals who played action video games demonstrated improved cognitive flexibility, attention, and the ability to process information quickly.
Improved cognitive flexibility:
Cognitive flexibility refers to adapting thinking and problem-solving strategies to new and changing situations. For example, in the study by Glass, Maddox, and Love (2013), participants who played StarCraft significantly improved their cognitive flexibility compared to control groups. One possible explanation for this improvement is that real-time strategy games like StarCraft require players to constantly adapt to changing game conditions and employ various strategies to achieve their goals. This constant adaptation and mental shifting may help train the brain to become more flexible in other cognitive tasks.
Social interaction:
Multiplayer video games can provide opportunities for social interaction, which can be particularly valuable for individuals with schizophrenia who may experience social isolation or have difficulties forming social connections. Online gaming communities can provide a supportive environment where players can interact with others and develop social skills (Kowert et al., 2014).
Motivation and engagement:
Video games, particularly strategy games, can be highly engaging and motivating for players. This level of engagement can potentially improve adherence to therapeutic interventions and motivate individuals with schizophrenia to participate in activities that promote recovery (Zayeni et al., 2020).
Reducing Anxiety and Stress:
Playing video games can be a source of relaxation and stress reduction, which can benefit individuals recovering from schizophrenia, as stress has been identified as a contributing factor in the onset and exacerbation of symptoms (Russoniello et al., 2009). In addition, engaging in immersive gaming experiences can serve as escapism, allowing players to momentarily step away from the challenges of their daily lives and focus on solving problems within the game. This can lead to accomplishment and satisfaction, promoting emotional well-being.
Balancing Gaming with Other Activities
While strategy video games offer numerous benefits for individuals recovering from schizophrenia, it is crucial to maintain a balanced lifestyle and avoid the potential negative consequences of excessive gaming. Research has shown extreme gaming can lead to social isolation, sleep disturbances, and addiction (Griffiths, Kuss, & King, 2012).
To ensure that gaming remains a positive and beneficial activity, balancing it with other aspects of your life, such as socializing with friends and family, engaging in physical exercise, and pursuing hobbies or interests outside of gaming, is essential. By doing so, you can harness the power of strategy video games for recovery and personal growth while minimizing any potential adverse effects on mental health and social functioning.
Conclusion
Strategy video games can offer a powerful and engaging means of enhancing cognitive skills, reducing anxiety and stress, and empowering individuals recovering from schizophrenia. By carefully balancing gaming with other activities, you can unlock the potential benefits of strategy video games and make significant strides toward recovery and personal growth. Game on, schizophrenia!
#schizophrenia #anxiety #mentalhealth #depression
The brain isn't a muscle, but the saying still holds: use it or lose it. The more we challenge our brain (or muscles), the quicker we adapt to the challenge, and future ones, as with gaming.
Sending you this thanks so you can get a new game, I know they're usually more expensive but hope this helps. 🙂✌️
Thank you so much Provostg! I agree with what you’re saying. Thank you for all of your comments and support you have given me since I started my channel. I really appreciate the super thanks! I will put it to good gaming use! Hope you have a happy and healthy rest of your day! Thank you again!
Makes sense Stephen, especially during the healing process. Ideally, non-violent games that motivate, stimulate, and promote good thoughts. Ideally, ones that are a bit educational, having a bit of world travel, history, philosophy, quotes, and science?
Maybe developers could keep this in mind and develop accordingly, along with recovering patients ( such as yourself), cognitive scientists, and philosophers?
Psychosis really knocks the brain out for a while, so a refuge / escape / with some challenge and imagination is needed.
Maybe talk to the gane developers Stephen?
Thank you very much Noreen for watching and supporting me!
Hi Stephen I have schizophrenia love your videos you give me hope I'm on abilify and haldol . I really identify with your side affects, just let the leaf blow away when there is something or someone is toxic in your life . God bless you your the best .......
Thank you so much David for your kind comment! I appreciate you sharing and for joining our journey.
The brain/ mind is the final frontier; there is so much that we don't know about the brain and its capabilities. Certainly, engaging the brain in games that require immediate responses, critical thinking skills and intuition will facilitate the creation of new neural pathways. I am a firm believer in neuroplasticity. Thanks!!
Thank you very much Barney Ronnie for watching and commenting! I definitely agree!
Great subject! I loved how you explained how the video games helped you. Quoting the research was fantastic!
This information will help so many people!
I witnessed how much the video games were an amazing intervention for you! Actually, I remember you telling me how it helped your brain early on even when some of the games were about wars, guns, and destruction. Gradually, as you found you could be productive and successful in other areas like drawing, guitar playing, passing the GED, the driver’s written test and the driving test! I also watched the transition you made from videos that were of the destruction genre to one’s where you were building communities, growing food, buying and selling etc.
All of your growth has been amazing! Proud of you!
Thank you very much Ms. Gayla!
I have been playing Wizard101 for years now and I think it’s helped really break down this feeling of wishing of a new world. It’s honestly something I almost play everyday
Thank you Jake for sharing! I feel the same way with games!
Yes! I've had cognitive rehab where most of it was games on the computer, and it helped me very much after a brain injury. I'm so glad it also helps with other conditions, too! ❤
Very interesting video Stephen. We all need ways to de-stress and ways to challenge our brains. You found a way to do both in a very personal way. Also great insight into the need for moderation in all things. You’re very smart.
Thank you very much Paul! I really appreciate that
I want everyone to carefully watch the negative thoughts. and process each of them with rational positive thoughts of possibility which your mind can take and store and make you do accoringly.
For example watch your negative thought of I can't do this and process it as a mere lye and say the reasons for I can definitely do this.
Then practice peace of mind and present mind of positive possibility ,not of negative lies that your mind believes
Thank you very much!
You are such a sweet person. God bless you!
Have a great weekend Stephen 😊
Thank you Matt! You too!
I love your smile! 😊. Thanks for the tips!!
Wow, I can totally relate Stephen, video games are my second world I live in, and I believe they helped me tremendously in my struggle with mental illness. In real life I'm Semir, quiet, overweight, slow, lethargic 40yr old male (I owe a lot of that to Zyprexa), but in my computer I'm Ingvar83, a decent World of Tanks tank commander, or Path of Exile hero, or Ingvar The Protector from HoMM5, leader of small and humble Mountain guards, which, on their own are quite regular tier 1 units but under his command, are much stronger and formidable fighters...
That being said, I realize I sacrifice quite a bit of real life activities to gain time for video games, and I honestly don't know where the line when it becomes addiction is. Still I'd rate video games a very good thing, but only if they are not the only thing, if you know what I mean. Thanks Stephen, as always, for your videos, and have fun and good luck in your games :)
Thank you very much Semir! I really appreciate how much you have shared about your story and your kind words. Thank you also for watching and for joining my journey! I wish you the best too!
Hi Stephen, have you tried any VR headsets, like Oculus? just curious.
I have and did enjoy my experiences with VR but prefer non VR gaming. Thank you!
Hello stephen, do you still take clozapine and lexapro?? you are the best!!
Thank you! Yes I do still take 10 mg of Lexapro and 175 mg of Clozapine and 5 mg of Abilify every night at 8pm
Hi Stephen great video you make iam wondering how you finished high school did you get a ged because i think you didn't do good In special ed my son has parionad schfrionea and they put him in special Ed and it made him more paranoid so we took him out wondering if you can do a video for school what's the best option we are thinking about online or just ged not sure any insight will be helpful thanks for video's and your dad explaining everything well
Thank you for watching and sharing. I did get my GED
why would you make a point of them being "non-violent" - what does that have to do with anything - how old are you?
Great content Stephen, you are a natural ‘teacher’ of this, you ‘understand’ and are perfect for educating others about it……I’m learning so much from you, this is very interesting stuff, you are amazing Stephen…..God bless you for sharing bro! 🙏🏼 respect to you and your family…. from Central London 🇬🇧 United Kingdom.