Depression Among Adolescents Through Online Games: Persistent Depressive Disorder Symptoms and Treatments
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How Do Mathematics And Science Help You Beat The Probability of Addiction? Persistent sadness and loss of interest in activities are indications of depression among adolescents and serious mental health issues. It affects the adolescent’s feelings, thoughts, and behaviors, and it can result in emotional, functional, and physical problems. Although depression can occur at any moment in life, teen and adult symptoms may differ.
The World Health Organization has recognized online gaming addiction as a mental and emotional health condition. With a total of 29.9 million players registered in the Philippines, excessive online gaming is on the rise. The rate of depression is rising across the nation as well. The current correlational analysis assessed the relationship between depression and online game addiction in Filipino adolescence.
Depression Among Adolescents Playing Online Games
Online gaming and depression among adolescents have been significantly linked, according to a study that was released in the Journal of Adolescent Health. According to the study, playing video games too much might reduce social interaction and increase isolation, both of which can hasten the start of depression. According to the study, individuals who use online gaming as a coping strategy for stress or anxiety may be more prone to developing depression.
It is important to keep in mind, however, that not all teenagers who play online games experience depression. Depression is caused by a variety of factors, including genetics, past experiences, family and social context, and individual coping mechanisms. Therefore, it is essential to take into consideration each of these aspects when assessing the connection between depression among adolescents and online gaming.
Persistent Depressive Disorder
A persistent, continuous form of depression is known as persistent depressive disorder. You can experience sorrow and emptiness, lose interest in everyday duties, and struggle with accomplishing them. Furthermore, you might feel disappointment, hopelessness, and low self-esteem. Even in enjoyable moments, it could be tough for you to feel joyful if you have a persistent depressive disorder. It’s possible that people will describe you as depressed, whiny, or incapable of enjoying yourself. Despite the fact that this kind of disorder is not as severe as major depression, you may be facing mild, moderate, or severe depression right now.
Symptoms
Persistent depression typically comes and goes over several years. Over time, symptoms’ seriousness can vary. However, symptoms typically last for longer than two months at a time. Major depressive episodes can also happen prior to or during persistent depression.
Here are the Symptoms of Persistent Depressive Disorder Through Online Games
- Sadness, feeling down, or emptiness
- Loss of interest.
- Tiredness and lack of energy
- Low self-esteem, self-criticism
- Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
- Difficulties in completing tasks effectively and on time
- Quickly becoming annoyed
- Avoiding social activities
- Feeling guilty and worrying over the past
- Poor appetite or overeating
- Sleep problems
- Hopelessness
- All the time you are thinking about gaming
- Feeling sick when you can’t play
- Spends more time to online games
Treatments
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
This kind of therapy is systematic and goal-oriented. A therapist or psychologist assists you in carefully evaluating your thoughts and feelings. You’ll understand how your thoughts affect your actions. You can unlearn negative and compulsive ideas and actions through CBT for depression and learn to develop better thought patterns and behavioral habits.
Group Therapy
Under the supervision of a psychologist or therapist, a group of people meets to describe and talk about their issues in this particular style of psychotherapy. For those who are depressed by online games, group therapy is a great source of inspiration and moral support, especially if their depression has caused them to isolate themselves from friends or peers.
Family Counseling
Family treatment or family counseling is a way to create and maintain strong, effective family ties. The purpose is to figure out and deal with concerns related to the family. The nature of these issues may be behavioral, psychological, or emotional. Family systems theory is at the root of many family approaches to therapy. According to this, families act as systems rather than as a group of people who are all independent of one another. In accordance with the family systems theory, adjustments initiated by one family member will influence changes made by other family members.
Conclusion
In general, playing online games without any limitations, not only for youth, may cause a depression that might lead to death. Gaming addicts are twice as likely to experience depression as non-gamers. In addition to other problems, just like How Do Mathematics And Science Help You Beat The Probability, excessive gaming can cause dopamine exhaustion, emotional suppression, and a lack of desire. There are symptoms of persistent depressive disorder in people who play online games that might be treated by the following treatments: cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), group therapy, and family counseling. In order to avoid depression, you need to always be positive, exercise, and do what makes you happy.
