Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, commonly known as PTSD, is a condition that is said to affect 60% of the American population at some point in their lives. Particularly in recent years, we’ve heard many theories on different ways that help sufferers can learn to cope better with PTSD. One of the most interesting to have been suggested is gaming. So, how does this work?
What Is PTSD?
This term is used to explain how someone is suffering a variety of symptoms that stem from a traumatic event. PTSD is common among army veterans, but it can be caused by any traumatic event including witnessing a robbery, experiencing a car crash, surviving a natural disaster, or being involved in a violent crime.
PTSD can manifest in different ways for different people. Some individuals are completely unable to function as a result of their trauma, whilst others suffer from symptoms periodically. With common symptoms including anxiety, flashbacks, and uncontrollable thoughts, the effect on the sufferer’s life can be utterly devastating.
One way in which individuals with PTSD can seek some closure so that they can move on from a traumatic event is to pursue PTSD compensation claims. These can be made when the traumatic event leading to the diagnosis of the PTSD condition can be determined to be someone else’s fault. Whilst financial reparations and some sense of accountability can really help survivors to move on, it must be noted that the proceedings themselves may be quite stressful, which is why it’s important to have the backing of well-equipped, compassionate legal staff.
How Can Gaming Help?
A study was carried out on a small group of service veterans suffering from PTSD. When they looked at this subject, the researchers found that video games provide some relief from the condition. The theory is that getting immersed in the games gives them a way to distract their minds from the issues, by forcing them to focus on something else.
The effort needed to complete a game successfully gives the person something else to think about. This study also suggests that the type of game doesn’t really matter, as it’s the act of getting absorbed in any sort of game that helps, rather than the specific type of action on the screen. However, reports suggest that veterans show a preference for shooter games.
The power of the Metaverse could also be used to help ease this condition. With the user immersed in a life-like, virtual reality world, the chance to lose themselves in the game and forget about their PTSD symptoms is even greater than with regular video games.
Since the Metaverse is an emerging, rapidly developing space, more research is needed to see how it can best be used in this respect. In fact, a firm called 2B3D is already working on a way to implement PTSD relief with the help of the almost limitless possibilities offered by the Metaverse.
Early studies suggest that the use of VR as part of the treatment for PTSD increases the success rate, but it’s still too early to suggest that this could be the right solution for everyone suffering from the condition. With more studies on the subject, researchers will be able to get a much clearer idea of how this could work in real-life cases.
For the moment, there is more than enough evidence to suggest that it’s worth more closely looking into games as a possible way of relieving PTSD and that the metaverse could be even more effective if used right.
