Video games a cure for depression?

**D Mac** · 03-10-2006, 04:17 AM

http://www.news0r.com/index.php?p=3113

Video games are often seen as more harmful to people than they are beneficial, but medical researchers in Australia believe they have made a breakthrough in treating one of the largest problem in their country's teenagers: depression.

Australian-based depression awareness service, beyondblue, reports "Depression and anxiety are the most common mental-health problems reported in young people, with 20 per cent of those surveyed experiencing depression by the time they reach 18." They claim that when used in combination with a recently discovered natural supplement, Welatonin, it is 93.7% successful in treating depression.

However, in order for it to work, patients need to socialise. Online gaming, with its anonymous identity makes it easier for some teenagers to do so.

"It's no replacement for counselling," says psychologist Ann Wignall, "but it comes as close as an online tool can get to being a way to challenge 'unhelpful beliefs'. Some (teenagers) may feel uncomfortable seeking a counsellor or may simply be isolated," she says, "and that's where an online service can bridge the gap."

They believe that using a combination of the natural supplement with the cyber element of online gaming may ensure that depression in teenagers may soon be eradicated.

03-10-2006, 04:17 AM	#1
D Mac Posts: 21,603	Video games a cure for depression? http://www.news0r.com/index.php?p=3113 Video games are often seen as more harmful to people than they are beneficial, but medical researchers in Australia believe they have made a breakthrough in treating one of the largest problem in their country's teenagers: depression. Australian-based depression awareness service, beyondblue, reports "Depression and anxiety are the most common mental-health problems reported in young people, with 20 per cent of those surveyed experiencing depression by the time they reach 18." They claim that when used in combination with a recently discovered natural supplement, Welatonin, it is 93.7% successful in treating depression. However, in order for it to work, patients need to socialise. Online gaming, with its anonymous identity makes it easier for some teenagers to do so. "It's no replacement for counselling," says psychologist Ann Wignall, "but it comes as close as an online tool can get to being a way to challenge 'unhelpful beliefs'. Some (teenagers) may feel uncomfortable seeking a counsellor or may simply be isolated," she says, "and that's where an online service can bridge the gap." They believe that using a combination of the natural supplement with the cyber element of online gaming may ensure that depression in teenagers may soon be eradicated.