Is It Healthy For A Ptsd Survivor To Play Video Games?

[Kashi]

Like would it increase the severity of PTSD? I've been wondering this for a while, now.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

Well I think it could spike symptoms if the game was similar to your trauma. Possibly.

Then again, I was molested and sort of along the same vein, I love law & order SVU. It's seeing justice! So maybe a video game could be therapeutic in a way?

But, there is ONE SVU episode (out of the hundreds) that sends me to a dark place because it was very similar to mine, as well as details in the story line.

So, I think it's an individual thing that could go either way.

 

[arfie]

It could be an ideal avoidance tool.

 

[StarChild]

Hi Kashi, I would say, it really depends on the kind of video game... Your question is rather generally and vague. Could you be a little bit more specific? I.e. what kind of game(s), how often you're playing, are there possible issues (game addiction, avoiding issues, glorification of violence etc.)?

 

[Kas_Can_Fly]

I play a lot of video games (or did, I still do occasionally, but don't have the drive to at the moment), though the majority of my trauma is sexual and psychological, I was also violently physically bullied and I have no issues, although I did avoid the most recent Tomb Raider game because of a hostage/rape scene - I will get round to playing it eventually as a means to resolving my concerns about it.

But I can see both for and against it's good as stress relief and for desensitisation, but could also serve as triggering material that could strongly increase anxiety and hyper-vigilance. Though it may at a base seem unhelpful, things such as team work and strategy, an outlet for hyper-vigilance, possible violent thoughts and the possibility to replay and achieve the results you want/need are all a plus to games even though the material may seem triggering, but I should think it vastly varies for the individual. People should be aware however that without a doubt gaming (as well as watching tv/films and reading) can increase your adrenaline, which is not always helpful for PTSD. In fact I don't think games should or would be any more triggering than any other form of media except possibly for the fact that it puts you in control of the situation.

I suppose I'd be more curious with military trauma in relation to games like Call of Duty and whether elements of fantasy such as in the Halo series would make a First-person Shooter less triggering. But as to my first reference - I would be willing to try and play the Tomb Raider game to live out survival and have the opportunity to fight back (it is a non-successful attempt), all in the safety of my own home and knowing there is no way I could physically get hurt and I could turn it off at any point. If I get triggered it may well have been worth it or may still be at a later date, but I'm triggered so often it's worth the try, and if not it maybe the perfect tool to get a grip on my trauma and take back some control of my history and head.

 

[Abstract]

What occurs to me is that it would be no less likely to increase the severity of PTSD than television or films.

It's the content that could be triggering or a stressor of course but that is different to saying that playing games increases PTSD symptoms.

Like Arfie said I think it can be an ideal way of avoiding and that's how I use it. Other than avoidance it doesn't increase any of my symptoms!

But then I play very innocent basic games such as Orsinal. Too much.

 

[Kashi]

Could you be a little bit more specific? I.e. what kind of game(s), how often you're playing, are there possible issues (game addiction, avoiding issues, glorification of violence etc.)?

It's mostly RPGs of the Square Enix variety. As for how often, I'm playing 5 hours max a day. And issues... I'd say I'm addicted to gaming, and use it as an avoidance tool. Does it glorify violence? I mostly play FFX nowadays, so it does get violent a lot.

 

[Stanley Shi-Yume]

I am not going to write you a book In response to this question...


Because, one has already been written. Reset - video games & psychotherapy, by Mike Langlois.


Read it.

Therapy is play and play is freedom.

 

[Hashi]

Hi Kashi (as in the Japanese for cake? :))

I'm interested in the way you've asked for opinions. If you're playing up to 5 hours a day, consider yourself addicted, play violent games and use it as avoidance - do you think it's healthy?

When you say increase the severity of PTSD, I'm not sure if you mean the violence increasing hypervigilance, anxiety etc. PTSD symptoms also include dissociation, withdrawal and not feeling real/not feeling like life is real. It sounds like it might be increasing the severity of those symptoms.

About whether it's healthy, I'm curious that you're wondering about whether it's healthy. Do you think what you're playing and how you're playing has benefits?

 

[Hashi]

I did avoid the most recent Tomb Raider game because of a hostage/rape scene - I will get round to playing it eventually as a means to resolving my concerns about it.

My biggest concern would be the idea that it was in a game at all, and that for many people it's likely to be entertainment or worse. That's what bothers me most about seeing physical and sexual violence in games.

Not aiming this at you personally, Kas. I think you've expressed what quite a few people think about the benefit of video games. I'm responding generally to the discussion. I'm not sure I'd want to desensitise myself in that way, because to me it isn't the healthiest kind of desensitisation.

I work to put my trauma into the past and be strong enough to have survived it. I'm wary of blunting my feelings towards trauma generally instead. I'm especially wary of doing that in a way that increases a lot of people's acceptance of violence, and often glamorises violence. I don't want myself, or others, to have decreased sensitivity to horrific things, when I think a strong (but manageable) reaction would actually be appropriate. I want to be stronger and to have processed my own experience, rather than have my feelings dulled in that particular way.

 

[Kas_Can_Fly]

From what I've read about the scene I don't think it could be seen as entertainment. Everyone I've seen talking about it has not implied that it was good gaming or any such idea of fun, but that the moment is scary. But the game is fairly built on survival and when the guy did make a move (and apparently it's not clear at all that rape was on the cards - just that one guy said so in an interview), Lara breaks free and kills her attacker.

I'm not saying that that's and entirely positive response either but I can see that as empowering and giving gamers the chance to take control of the horrific situation. It's not glorified, its very much horrific and people have said that but the key is Lara overcomes the situation for the positive.

I don't mean that desensitisation of just watching rape or implied rape in media would be helpful or that numbing ones self in such a way is healthy. I don't think that at all and I have mixed feelings as to this being in the game too. I just think that the imagery and concept could be helpful for people who have experienced similar (I have fantasised being able to have overcome and escaped my abusers, to in part feel that in a real life experience, that due to its simulated nature is safe would be fairly productive). And also to bring awareness that anyone is at risk to those who haven't.

Then again I have a long history of escapism through games (just as I do through books) and I see them as a safe way to experience story telling, aspects of life, creativity and fantasy.

Just out of curiosity Hashing what would you think of a rape scene in a novel (or TV or film). I don't watch it but in the UK we have a soap called Eastenders and I caught the portrayal of childhood sexual abuse and grooming and rape when my mum watches it and most it's to bring awareness to the subject. At the end of the show they put up a support number for people who are affected by the story material to phone. I've also been warned by my Mum (and the news) that Downton has just had a rape scene. Is it all portrayals of rape you a have an issue with or just games?

(please note I don't mean to sound confrontational in any way I'm just genuinely incredibly curious as I have mixed views on this myself and would appreciate further insight :) )

 

[Hashi]

No you don't sound confrontational at all. I hope I don't either.

It's particularly games or anything that's clearly intended to be entertainment.

Early in healing I was trying to find information on a particular type of trauma which isn't much discussed. When I googled it I got a lot of results for video games about it. I got the impression these games weren't the kind that get sold on the high street but there were plenty of them and from what I read before realising this wasn't the right search to do, it was upsetting to know they were even out there.

I think there can be quite a high level of violence in some mainstream games. I doubt people notice it particularly, they're so used to a certain amount. I've also seen things in manga and comics that I think ought to be more shocking to people given what it actually is, but they're routinely read by teenagers or even younger. I don't mean cartoon violence like Tom & Jerry, but the graphic novel type.

I think I misunderstood you about acting out a different ending - sorry. I think that makes sense. I would still feel cautious about why something is in a game, how, and what alternative outcomes there are. But maybe there's no concern in this particular example, I don't know.

I have to say I think a threat of rape can be questionable, even if it doesn't happen in the end. I don't even think it has to be as straightforward as that for it to appeal to people for dubious reasons. My limited (for a reason) exposure to Tomb Raider gives me the impression that there are enough scenes of sexy female struggling, under attack, captive, hands tied etc to make me doubt that the escape/winning part is the only point for many people. I can't reconcile that as OK, but that's only my personal reaction.

I don't watch Eastenders but I think drama like that is unlikely to be glamourising things, and hopefully unlikely to be graphic. I think rape and violence in drama, books etc can be OK if the story/purpose justifies it, but it depends on the context and I don't think detail is needed. If the writing's good then alluding to it is enough. If the writing isn't good then it would be better they didn't try to tackle it anyway.