• Meclizine (Antivert)
• Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine)
• Diazepam (Valium)
• Lorazepam (Ativan)
• Metoclopramide (Reglan)
• Prochlorperazine (Compazine)
• Promethazine (Phenergan)

1. What Are the Most Common Causes of Vertigo?

Vertigo can be caused by acute unilateral vestibular lesions (Labyrinth or vestibular nerve) known as peripheral vertigo, or by lesions affecting the cerebellum or brainstem, known as central vertigo. The most common causes of vertigo are associated with the following disorders:

• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo
• Acute Vestibular Neuronitis
• Labyrinthitis
• Ménière’s Disease
• Migraine
• Anxiety disorders
• Vascular Ischemia or Stroke
• Acoustic Neuroma
• Cerebellar Degeneration
• Cerebellar Tumor
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Vestibular Ototoxicity
• Perilymphatic fistula

1.1. What Is Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)?

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a disorder of the inner ear labyrinth that manifests with symptoms of episodic vertigo, loss of balance, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting.

It is caused by the displacement of calcium crystal structures within the inner ear saccule and utricle known as uroliths which help hair cells (stereocilia) in converting sound and head movement into neural signals.

The misplacement of these calcium crystal structures can be due to sudden head movement or head trauma [2].

1.2. What Is Labyrinthitis?

Labyrinthitis is the inflammation of the inner ear labyrinth causing symptoms such as vertigo, hearing loss, nausea, vomiting, and tinnitus [3].

Labyrinthitis is caused by viral and bacterial infection, and rarely by the formation of new bone in the inner ear labyrinth (Labyrinthitis Ossificans).

1.3. What Is Acute Vestibular Neuronitis?

Vestibular neuritis is the inflammation of the vestibulocochlear nerve which transmits to the brain, sound, and head movement neural signals that are received from hair cells.

Vestibular neuritis may be caused by infection with viruses such as herpes simplex virus (HSV-1), measles, mumps, or chickenpox [4].

1.4. What Is Ménière’s Disease?

Ménière’s disease is a disorder of the inner ear characterized by recurrent vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing loss. The causes of these diseases are unknown and may involve genetic and environmental factors [5].

1.5. What Is Vestibular Migraine?

Vestibular migraine is vertigo with migraine that does not necessarily manifest with headaches. The causes of vestibular migraine are unknown; however, genetic factors may be involved [6].

Vestibular migraine has been associated with Meniere’s disease and Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).

1.6. What Are Anxiety disorders?

Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent psychiatric disorders characterized by uncontrollable worries and fear associated with emotions, thoughts, ideas, and places.

Anxiety disorders can significantly affect the daily life of an individual and commonly manifest with symptoms, including irritability, focusing difficulties, chest pain, increased heart rate, and abdominal discomfort [7].

1.7. What Is Vascular Ischemia or Stroke?

Vascular ischemia or stroke are characterized by the reduction (ischemia) or absence (Stroke) of blood supply to the cerebellum or brainstem resulting in their damage and leading to acute vertigo.

1.8. What Is Acoustic Neuroma?

Acoustic neuroma or vestibular schwannoma is a tumor that develops from the Schwann cells on the vestibulocochlear nerve [8].

Schwann cells produce the Schwann myelin sheet that insulates nerves and helps with the transmission of nerve impulses.

The pressure from an acoustic neuroma on the vestibulocochlear nerve results in hearing loss, tinnitus, and unsteadiness.

Acoustic neuroma may be associated with neurofibromatosis type 2, a genetic disease characterized by tumors that grow along nerves.

1.9. What Is Cerebellar Degeneration?

Acquired cerebellum disorders are characterized by cerebellar degeneration associated with ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, which limits blood flow or oxygen to the cerebellum.

These acquired disorders can also be associated with Multisystem atrophy, cerebellar cortical atrophy, and olivopontocerebellar degeneration.

Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, can cause inflammation in the brain, including the cerebellum.

Damages to the neurons’ myelin sheath during diseases, such as multiple sclerosis can also affect nerve cells of the cerebellum.

Chronic alcohol abuse can lead to temporary or permanent cerebellar damage that can cause cerebellar degeneration.

Paraneoplastic disorders that are triggered by the body’s own immune system in response to cancers (e.g., lung, ovarian, lymphatic, or breast cancer) can result in the production of substances that cause immune system cells to attack neurons in the cerebellum leading to cerebellar degeneration.

1.10. What Is a Cerebellar Tumor?

Cerebellar tumors are lesions that mainly manifest with severe symptoms due to the compression of the cerebellum and adjacent brainstem or obstruction of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow within the fourth ventricle [9].

The most common cerebellar are low-grade-gliomas which can cause symptoms such as gait ataxia and nystagmus

1.11. What Is Multiple Sclerosis?

The axons of neurons are covered by a sheath of a fatty acid (lipid), known as myelin, which insulates them and increases the rate of nerve impulses.

In multiple sclerosis (MS), the myelin sheath is damaged through a process called demyelination which disrupts the capacity of the affected neurons to conduct nerve impulses.

It is proposed that multiple sclerosis (MS) is due to a mix between genetics and infections; however, there is no evidence yet to support these hypotheses.

1.12. What Is Vestibular Ototoxicity?

Ototoxicity is the poisoning of the ear by chemicals or drugs that leads to damage to the inner ear causing balance and hearing difficulties.

1.13. What Is Perilymphatic fistula?

Perilymphatic Fistula is an abnormal opening between the inner ear and the surrounding structures due to congenital abnormalities or an injury (Head trauma, barotrauma) [10].

The symptoms of Perilymphatic Fistula include hearing loss, vertigo, tinnitus, dizziness, spatial disorientation, and nausea.

2. How Do I Know If I Have Vertigo or Dizziness?

Although dizziness and vertigo have been interchangeably used, dizziness is a perception associated with feeling light-headed and unsteady, while vertigo is the perception of being in movement or that your surrounding is in movement. 

3. How Is Vertigo Treated?

3.1. What Are Vestibular Rehabilitation Exercises?

Vestibular rehabilitation exercises are used in combination with antivertigo drugs and are aimed at training the brain to use different visual and proprioceptive signals to maintain gait and balance [11].

3.2. What Are Antivertigo Drugs?

Antivertigo drugs are used for the treatment of acute vertigo that lasts for hours to days.

3.2.1. What Is Meclizine?

Meclizine (Antivert, Bonine) is an antihistamine drug that blocks H1 receptors which prevents their activation by histamine.

Histamine is a well know actor in local immune responses, and is produced by mast cells and basophils; however, it is also an important neurotransmitter involved in itching following inflammation, and in the regulation of the sleep-wakefulness cycle [12].

Meclizine blockage of histamine binding to H1 receptors may reduce the function of the sensory vestibular organs and increase vestibulocochlear blood flow [13].

3.2.2. What Is Dimenhydrinate?

Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine, Draminate) is an antihistamine drug that blocks H1 receptors which prevents their activation by histamine. It has also an anticholinergic activity by inhibiting the activity of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine [14].

3.2.3. What Is Diazepam?

Diazepam (Valium) belongs to the class of drugs known as benzodiazepines which prevent the excitation of neurons by enhancing the effect of GABA on GABA_A receptors.

GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric acid) is a chemical messenger and the major inhibitor of neurotransmission by reducing nerve impulses (action potential).

Therefore, it has an opposite action to that of glutamate and ensures balanced neurotransmission [15].

Benzodiazepines are used for the treatment of anxiety, panic disorder, sleep disorders (e.g., insomnia), epileptic seizures, as a muscle relaxant, and for the treatment of alcohol withdrawal.

3.2.4. What is Lorazepam?

Lorazepam (Ativan) also belongs to the benzodiazepines family of drugs which act by preventing the excitation of neurons through enhancing the effect of GABA on GABA_A receptors.

3.2.5. What Is Metoclopramide?

Metoclopramide (Reglan) is an antiemetic (prevent nausea and vomiting) drug that is mainly used for post-chemotherapy nausea and vomiting.

Metoclopramide is a blocker of serotonin receptors known as 5-HT3 receptors. Serotonin is a chemical messenger involved in the neurotransmission of information related to mood, reward, learning, memory, and cognition. 

3.2.6. What Is Prochlorperazine?

Prochlorperazine (Compazine) is an antiemetic, antipsychotic, and anxiolytic drug that inhibits the dopamine receptors known as dopaminergic D₂ receptors in the central nervous system.

Dopamine is an organic chemical involved in the transmission of instructions between neurons to control movement and reward-motivated behavior, such as pleasure, craving, decision making based on rewards, associative learning (learning new things), and short-term memory [16].

3.2.7. What Is Promethazine?

Promethazine (Phenergan) is an antihistaminic, antiemetic, and antipsychotic drug that mainly blocks H1 receptors, and therefore, prevents their activation by histamine. It has also a moderate anticholinergic activity.

Conclusion

Vertigo can be physiologic such as motion sickness; however, it can also be caused by disorders that require antivertigo drugs.

The post What Drugs Are Used to Treat Vertigo? appeared first on .

• Mental health disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or psychosis
• Central nervous system disorders
• Neurological disorders
• Toxic and metabolic disorders and conditions
• Sleep deprivation or disorders
• Physical disorders such as diseases of vision and hearing organs
• Drugs such as some medications, alcohol, and hallucinogens (e.g., plant hallucinogens)
• Stroke
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

More information on the different types of hallucinations and their causes are provided below.

1- How Do You Know If You Hallucinate?

If an individual is hearing, seeing, smelling, tasting, and feeling (touch) things that are not real or do not exist outside their mind, this individual is likely to be experiencing hallucinations.

2- Is It Normal to Hallucinate?

Hallucinations can be a sign of mental health, neurological, and physical disorders. They can also be a sign of drugs consumption such as alcohol and hallucinogens.

3- What Are the 5 Types of Hallucinations?

There are 5 types of hallucinations that are not all due to psychotic disorders. Hallucinations can be caused by psychiatric and physical disorders [1].

3.1. What Are Auditory Hallucinations?

An auditory hallucination is the perception of sounds that are not real or do not exist outside of the mind of an individual [2]. They can be due to the following causes:

• Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a complex and severe mental health disorder that is classified as a type of psychosis. It is characterized by significant alterations in thoughts, perception, mood, and behaviors [3].

• Central Nervous System (CNS) Disorders

These are disorders that affect the brain known as encephalopathies or the spinal cord which are known as myelopathies.

• Psychotic Depression

Psychotic depression is a major depression associated with symptoms such as delusions, hallucinations, sleep issues, reduced motivation, and the capacity to experience a pleasure. It is often associated with bipolar disorder and major depression.

• Mania

Mania is a mood disorder characterized by an excessive level of energy, arousal, and enthusiasm.

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

PTSD is an anxiety disorder associated with extremely stressful or distressing situations.

• Peripheral Lesions

Peripheral lesions are lesions that affect sensory or motor neurons of the peripheral nervous system (outside the brain and the spinal cord).

• Middle and Inner Ear Diseases

There are many diseases that affect tissues and organs of the middle and inner ear causing dizziness, inflammation, discharge, or hearing loss.

• Auditory Nerve Disease

This disorder affects the auditory nerve responsible for transmitting sound to the brain.

• Stroke

Stroke is a condition characterized by a very low blood supply to the brain which prevents its proper function.

• Arterio-vascular malformations

These are malformations that affect arteries and vessels responsible for blood supply to organs involved in hearing.

• Delirium

Delirium is a state of mental confusion lasting hours or days with alterations in consciousness, cognition, and attention.

• Dissociative Identity Disorder

Dissociative identity disorder or multiple personality disorder is a mental disorder characterized by the presence of at least two states of personality.

• Pontine Lesions

These are lesions that affect the pons region of the brainstem part of the brain which controls hearing, balance, involuntary actions, taste, and facial sensations.

• Temporal Lobe Epilepsy

Temporal lobe epilepsy is seizures that began in the temporal lobe and spread to other areas of the brain.

• Hallucinogens

Hallucinogens are chemical substances that modify the function of the nervous system causing cognitive, behavioral, perception, and consciousness changes. The most known hallucinogen is LSD (D-Lysergic acid diethylamide).

• Alcohol Hallucinosis

Alcohol Hallucinosis is a chronic state of alcoholic intoxication that affects the auditory system causing hallucinations.

• Syncope

Syncope or fainting is associated with low blood pressure resulting in a loss of consciousness and muscle strength.

3.2. What Are Visual Hallucinations?

A visual hallucination is the perception of images that are not real or do not exist outside of the mind of an individual such as crawling insects or small animals [4]. They can be due to the following causes:

• Neurologic Disorders

Neurologic Disorders are diseases that affect the nervous system including the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and the peripheric nervous system.

• Epilepsy

Epilepsy is associated with seizures that are due to abnormal electrical activity in the brain.

• Migraine

A migraine is a severe form of headache that manifests as an excruciating pain on one side of the head accompanied by a feeling of sickness and an increased sensitivity to light and sound.

• Glaucoma

Glaucoma is due to an excessive increase in the intraocular pressure within the eye that leads to damages including vision loss.

• Optic Nerve Disorders

This disorder affects the optic nerves responsible for transmitting visual information to the brain.

• Toxic Metabolic Disorders

Toxic metabolic disorders are characterized by the accumulation of products of metabolism (metabolites) in the tissues of the body leading to their damage. When affecting the eyes, it can cause damages that lead to anomalies with vision, such as visual hallucinations.

• Toxic Metabolic Encephalopathy

Toxic metabolic encephalopathy is also associated with the accumulation of metabolites in the brain leading to damages. If damaging parts of the brain involved in vision, it can cause anomalies with the vision such as visual hallucinations

• Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a complex and severe mental health disorder that is classified as a type of psychosis. It is characterized by significant alterations in thoughts, perception, mood, and behaviors [3].

• Hallucinogens

Hallucinogens are chemical substances that modify the function of the nervous system causing cognitive, behavioral, perception, and consciousness changes. The most known hallucinogen is LSD (D-Lysergic acid diethylamide).

• Sleep deprivation

Sleep deprivation is associated with insufficient (not enough) sleep that can be acute or chronic leading to reduced alertness, performance, and health issues.

• Drug and Alcohol Withdrawal Syndromes

These withdrawal syndromes are due to the changes in neurotransmission mediated by GABA.

• Retinal Diseases

Retinal diseases are disorders that affect the retina of the eye such as macular degeneration, intraocular tumors, retinal tear, and macular edema [5].

• Affective Disorders

Affective disorders are mental conditions characterized by changes in mood and emotions such as major depressive disorder.

• Conversion Disorders

Conversion disorders are mental conditions that cannot be explained by the presence of a disease or injury and which are characterized by paralysis, blindness, or other symptoms of the nervous system [6].

• Cataract Formation

A cataract is the clouding of the lenses of the eyes that help focus on objects at different distances.

• Enucleation

Surgical removal of the entire eye from its socket.

• Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a chronic disorder associated with the reduction in the ability to regulate the sleep-wake cycles.

• Choroidal Disorder

The choroidal disorder is due to damages to blood vessels in the eye known as choroid causing anomalies in vision.

• Sensory Deprivation

Sensory deprivation is an intentional reduction in the perception of one or more senses.

• Intense Emotional Experiences

These are life experiences that had significant emotional effects on the affected individuals such as a loss of a loved one, sexual abuse, or traumatic experiences.

3.3. What Are Olfactory Hallucinations?

An olfactory hallucination is the perception of smell that is not real or does not exist outside of the mind of an individual [7]. They can occur with several mental health disorders such as:

• Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a complex and severe mental health disorder that is classified as a type of psychosis. It is characterized by significant alterations in thoughts, perception, mood, and behaviors [3].

• Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar Disorder is a mood disorder characterized by mood swings between periods of depression (depressive episodes), and elevated mood that can be severe known as mania (manic episode) or less severe known as hypomania.

• Substance Abuse

Abusive consumption of drugs

• Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are characterized by unusual habits of excessive eating (e.g., binge eating disorder) or insufficient eating (e.g., anorexia).

3.4. What Are Gustatory Hallucinations?

A gustatory hallucination is the perception of taste (often metallic taste) that is not real or does not exist outside of the mind of an individual [8].

• Temporal Lobe Diseases

Temporal Lobe Disease causes seizures that began in the temporal lobe and spread to other areas of the brain. They can be caused by tumors, injury to the head, stroke, brain infections, or brain lesions

• Parietal Operculum Lesions

These are lesions that affect a part of the cerebral cortex causing the absence of speech.

3.5. What Are Tactile Hallucinations?

A tactile hallucination is the perception of touch that is not real or does not exist outside of the mind of an individual [7]. They can be due to the following causes:

• Substance Abuse

Abusive consumption of drugs

• Drug and Alcohol Withdrawal Syndromes

These withdrawal syndromes are due to the changes in neurotransmission mediated by GABA.

4- Can Stress Cause Hallucinations?

Auditory hallucinations have been associated with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD is an anxiety disorder associated with extremely stressful or distressing situations.

6- What Causes Hallucinations in the Elderly?

Most of the hallucinations in the elderly are visual or auditory which can be due to the following causes:

• Side effects of Medications
• Diseases such as brain cancer, kidney, or liver failure.
• Dementia and Alzheimer Disease
• Grieving
• Impairment in hearing and vision
• Delirium

Conclusion

Hallucinations are very complex and their treatment depends on the cause of the hallucination.

The post What Causes the Brain to Hallucinate? appeared first on .

Although video gaming is entertaining, its implications on mental health are beginning to emerge through studies that evaluated its benefits and disadvantages on anxiety, depression, and cognition.

1. Benefits of Video Gaming on Anxiety, Depression, and Cognition

A. Benefits of Video Gaming on Anxiety

Based on 2017 estimates, 284 million people live with anxiety disorder globally, and this number is likely to be higher now [1].  Interventions with digital technologies have been shown to improve the quality and accessibility of mental health care in high- and low-income countries [2].

Several studies demonstrated the positive effects of video gaming on reducing anxiety. Web-based video games were shown to lower anxiety levels and increase the feeling of belonging to a group in adolescent boys [3]. 

Another study included 59 participants diagnosed with depression and divided them into video game participants (30 participants) and non-video game participants (29 participants).

Using the STAI (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory) test which is designed to assess the anxiety of an individual from everyday situations, the researchers showed that the video gamer group had a significantly reduced severity of state and trait anxiety compared to the non-video game participants [4].

Other studies have shown that games such as MindLight (strategy game), Max and the Magic Marker (commercial video games (CVGs)), Rayman (CVG), Nintendo Wii Exergames, and RPGs, significantly prevented or reduced anxiety after or following continual play, while exergames, video games that require physical activity or movement of the body, have been shown to combat anxiety associated with COVID-19 lockdowns [5][6].

B. Benefits of Video Gaming on Depression

Based on 2017 estimates, 264 million people lived with depression globally, and this number is also likely to be higher now [1]. Several studies reported improvement in clinical cases of depression through playing games such as Candy Crush (CVG), Angry Birds (CVG), Limbo (CVG), and casual games.

These games have been shown to decrease depression by promoting enjoyment, motivation, and flow states in veterans who were treated for mental and/or behavioral health problems, and other individuals who were diagnosed with depression [7][8].

Another study assessed the effect of commercial video games (CVGs) on participants with depression. The participants were prescribed to play CVGs for one month, three times per week (with 24 hours between each session), and for 30 minutes.

The effects were measured using the PHQ-9 questionnaire which monitors the severity of depression and response to treatment. The results showed that participants who played CVGs had significantly reduced symptoms of clinical depression [9]. These observations confirm that CVGs can also alleviate clinical depression in patients.

C. Benefits of Video Gaming on Cognition

Anxiety and depression can have effects on multiple levels of cognition ranging from effects on perception to attention to learning and executive function [10][11]. Several studies have demonstrated the benefits of video gaming on cognition, and mental health [12]. The effect of video gaming on cognition is assessed using the Stroop test and the Trail-Making Test.

The Stroop test, which was first developed by Stroop in 1935 [13], assesses the response of subjects to stimuli based on characteristics other than those typical of the most relevant and more readily apparent ones. For example, naming the colors of displayed words instead of naming the words.

The Trail-Making Test (TMT) relies on drawing lines between circles that contain consecutive numbers (e.g., 1, 2, 3…etc.) to evaluate both the memory and executive function of the subjects.

The results of one of the studies investigated the effects of video gaming on cognition and showed that video gamers respond faster to the Stroop test, but make significantly more errors compared to non-video gamers.

In the Trail-Making test, video gamers had faster response times, but errors did not differ from those in non-video gamers. The study’s authors concluded that video gamers possess enhanced processing speed and task-switching ability; however, they favored speed over accuracy on the task that evaluated cognitive inhibition ability compared to non-video gamers [14]. 

2. Disadvantages of Video Gaming on Mental and Physical Health

Although many studies demonstrated the benefits of video gaming on anxiety, depression, and cognition, other studies also highlighted the negative effects. These effects were shown to be associated with increased violence, headaches, stress, obesity, and harm to vision (eyes).

In a study that tested the idea that violent video game exposure (VVE) influences not only the player but also the player’s social network, it was found that aggressive video games can increase aggressive behaviors and desensitization to violence which could spread among connected individuals who did not play violent video games [15].

A study included 87 participants who played a violent or nonviolent game for 20 minutes and were asked to read a stress-provoking story aloud while their voices were recorded. The researchers found that voice stress was higher among violent video game players than among nonviolent video game players [16]. 

The effect of video gaming on headaches was evaluated by a study that included 954 adolescents who answered a questionnaire about the use of video games, and the presence of headaches. The results showed an association between excessive use of video games and the presence of headaches, that could develop into a migraine-type [17].

Physically, the effect of video gaming can lead to obesity, especially, when playing for long hours video games that do not require physical activity or movement of the body such as exergames. Long hours of exposure to video game screens can also affect the eyes and harm the vision.

3. Frequently Asked Questions about Video Gaming Effects on Mental Health

Does playing video games make you violent?

Research shows no direct link between playing video games and increased violence. However, excessive gaming may desensitize individuals to violence in some cases.

Can video games cause addiction?

Yes, excessive gaming can lead to addiction, known as Gaming Disorder. It’s characterized by loss of control over gaming habits, prioritizing gaming over other activities, and continued gaming despite negative consequences.

Do video games contribute to anxiety and depression?

While gaming itself isn’t a direct cause, excessive gaming or using games to escape from real-life problems can exacerbate feelings of anxiety and depression. However, some games designed for relaxation or cognitive therapy can have positive mental health effects.

Are there age restrictions for video game content to protect mental health?

Many countries have age ratings systems (e.g., ESRB, PEGI) to guide parents and consumers about appropriate content for different age groups. However, individual tolerance to content varies, and parental guidance is crucial.

Can playing video games improve cognitive functions?

Some research suggests that certain types of video games, particularly those involving strategy, problem-solving, and memory, can enhance cognitive functions. However, moderation is key to avoiding negative effects on mental health.

How can I balance gaming and mental well-being?

Set limits on gaming time, prioritize real-life social interactions and activities, and be mindful of how gaming affects your mood and behavior. Taking regular breaks, engaging in physical activity, and seeking professional help if gaming interferes with daily life, are essential.

Do violent video games desensitize players to real-life violence?

There’s an ongoing debate, but some studies suggest that prolonged exposure to violent video games can desensitize individuals to violence. However, the effects vary among individuals, and other factors like upbringing and personality play a role.

Are there therapeutic benefits to playing video games?

Yes, certain games are designed for therapeutic purposes, such as reducing stress, improving mood, and enhancing cognitive skills. However, it’s essential to use them in conjunction with professional guidance for maximum benefit.

Can gaming help with social connections and loneliness?

Online gaming can facilitate social connections and provide a sense of belonging for some individuals. However, it’s important to balance virtual interactions with real-life socializing to maintain overall well-being.

How can parents support their children’s gaming habits while safeguarding their mental health?

Parents can set reasonable limits on screen time, encourage a balance of gaming with other activities, monitor content, and have open discussions about gaming habits and their impact on mental health. Additionally, being a positive role model for healthy screen use is crucial.

Conclusion

Besides exposure to violent video games that can lead to aggressive behaviors and the length of time playing video games that can damage the eyes, promote obesity, and increase headaches, video gaming appears to be beneficial in decreasing anxiety and depression, and in improving cognition in individuals.

Additionally, because of their wide availability and lower cost compared to medication-based therapies, video games can be used as an alternative therapy to traditional mental health care for some mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.

References

[1] Ritchie, H. and Roser, M., 2018. Mental health. Our world in data. Retrieved May, 19, p.2020.

[2] Naslund, J.A., Shidhaye, R. and Patel, V., 2019. Digital technology for building capacity of non-specialist health workers for task-sharing and scaling up mental health care globally. Harvard review of psychiatry, 27(3), p.181.

[3] Ohannessian, C.M., 2018. Video game play and anxiety during late adolescence: the moderating effects of gender and social context. Journal of affective disorders, 226, pp.216-219.

[4] Fish, M.T., Russoniello, C.V. and O’Brien, K., 2014. The efficacy of prescribed casual videogame play in reducing symptoms of anxiety: a randomized controlled study. GAMES FOR HEALTH: Research, Development, and Clinical Applications, 3(5), pp.291-295.

[5] Zayeni, D., Raynaud, J.P. and Revet, A., 2020. Therapeutic and preventive use of video games in child and adolescent psychiatry: a systematic review. Frontiers in psychiatry, 11, p.36.

[6] Viana, R.B. and de Lira, C.A.B., 2020. Exergames as coping strategies for anxiety disorders during the COVID-19 quarantine period. Games for health journal, 9(3), pp.147-149.

[7] Carras, M.C., Kalbarczyk, A., Wells, K., Banks, J., Kowert, R., Gillespie, C. and Latkin, C., 2018. Connection, meaning, and distraction: A qualitative study of video game play and mental health recovery in veterans treated for mental and/or behavioral health problems. Social Science & Medicine, 216, pp.124-132.

[8] Pine, R., Fleming, T., McCallum, S. and Sutcliffe, K., 2020. The effects of casual videogames on anxiety, depression, stress, and low mood: a systematic review. Games for health journal, 9(4), pp.255-264.

[9] Russoniello, C.V., Fish, M. and O’Brien, K., 2013. The efficacy of casual videogame play in reducing clinical depression: a randomized controlled study. GAMES FOR HEALTH: Research, Development, and Clinical Applications, 2(6), pp.341-346.

[10] Gotlib, I.H. and Joormann, J., 2010. Cognition and depression: current status and future directions. Annual review of clinical psychology, 6, pp.285-312.

[11] Robinson, O.J., Vytal, K., Cornwell, B.R. and Grillon, C., 2013. The impact of anxiety upon cognition: perspectives from human threat of shock studies. Frontiers in human neuroscience, 7, p.203.

[12] Kowal, M., Conroy, E., Ramsbottom, N., Smithies, T., Toth, A. and Campbell, M., 2021. Gaming Your Mental Health: A Narrative Review on Mitigating Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety Using Commercial Video Games. JMIR Serious Games, 9(2), p.e26575.

[13] Stroop, J.R., 1935. Studies of interference in serial verbal reactions. Journal of experimental psychology, 18(6), p.643.

[14] Kowal, M., Toth, A.J., Exton, C. and Campbell, M.J., 2018. Different cognitive abilities displayed by action video gamers and non-gamers. Computers in Human Behavior, 88, pp.255-262.

[15] Greitemeyer, T., 2018. The spreading impact of playing violent video games on aggression. Computers in human behavior, 80, pp.216-219.

[16] Hasan, Y., 2017. Violent video games increase voice stress: An experimental study. Psychology of Popular Media Culture, 6(1), p.74.

[17] Xavier, M.K.A., Pitangui, A.C.R., Silva, G.R.R., Oliveira, V.M.A.D., Beltrão, N.B. and Araújo, R.C.D., 2015. Prevalence of headache in adolescents and association with use of computer and videogames. Ciencia & saude coletiva, 20, pp.3477-3486.

The post Video Gaming Effects on Mental Health appeared first on .