Why does gaming cause anxiety?

Why Does Gaming Cause Anxiety?

The world of video games has become an essential part of modern entertainment. With millions of players around the world, it is no wonder that gaming has become a significant aspect of many people’s lives. However, a growing concern among gamers is the psychological impact that gaming can have on players, particularly anxiety. It is common to hear reports of players experiencing anxiety when playing their favorite games or even becoming anxious about games in general.

Repeated Thought Loops and Obsessive Thinking

Gaming, like any form of immersive activity, has the power to captivate our attention and minds. When playing a game that is stimulating and engaging, our brain’s reward centers are stimulated, releasing feelings of excitement and pleasure. However, when this stimuli is lacking or the gameplay becomes overwhelming, our mind can go into overdrive, replaying events repeatedly, analyzing mistakes, or worrying about the outcome.

Examples of Repeated Thought Loops:

• Overanalyzing strategies in a strategy game, becoming fixated on "What if I had done something differently?"
• Rethinking battles or scenarios to replay events, questioning abilities or opponents.
• Anxiety about performing well, creating self-doubt.

Inadequate Handling of Setbacks

One of the primary causes of anxiety in gaming is inadequate handling of setbacks. When confronted with difficult challenges, insurmountable obstacles, or embarrassing moments, individuals may develop an irrational anxiety response.

Examples:

• Loot boxes: Unpredictability and reliance on random dropboxes can generate anxiety in both casual and competitive players.

Stress and Eustress

Gaming stress, often referred to as eustress (positive stress), can sometimes manifest in a player who is fixated on succeeding in their favorite game or completing difficult tasks. Excessive frustration and stress resulting from continuous failures or competitiveness can transform eustress into gambling disorder-like behavior, characterized by neglecting one’s physical or mental health.

Eustress: The Yin and Yang of Stress and Anxiety

While some experiences may result in feelings of excitement and competition, there is a danger that individuals may become entrapped by an insidious and perpetual state of arousal, heightening their emotions and affecting their overall emotional well-being.

Additive Effects and Overexertion

In some instances, playing video games continuously for prolonged periods can culminate in a condition similar to substance abuse, addiction or even overconsumption, resulting in symptoms such as fatigue, irritable moods, concentration issues, and increased reliance on technology.

Causes and Symptoms of Hyperstimulation Anxiety

Several factors, such as stress, repetition, and expectation, may contribute to anxiety in players. When not properly handled, these cumulative factors may give rise to Hyperstimulation anxiety, resulting in increased pulse rate, palpitations, sweating, trembling, fatigue, mood swings, panic attacks, and impaired functioning in daily activities.

Anxiety in Games and Gamification of Stressors

Some recent games introduce new features focused on stimulating emotional experiences while maintaining healthy play practices Gamification of stressors offers new perspectives: the connection between emotional impact and self-reflectivity.

Why You Should Acknowledge Gaming-Anxiety in Your Life?

Despite the importance and potential fun in gaming, it’s essential to keep in mind the emotional stakes. We should not overstate gaming’s significance if it risks causing emotional duress in individuals.

It is a must to become aware of gaming anxiety indicators, seeking professional help where necessary to avoid potential cascading problems, including disordered game usage, performance issues at work or study, family problems, substance abuse, or emotional dependence on games or gaming behaviors.

Gamers have a crucial choice: control gaming to live, don’t let anxiety control life.

References used in article:

• The Anxiety and Depression Association of America
• *The Game Developers Conference
• Scientific article: Hyperstimulation in video gaming and its related psychological mechanisms