It is a concern that video games can lead to depression. This is a valid concern. There are many correlations between violent video games, depression symptoms, and other forms of violence. This raises the question: Does there exist a link between depression and violent video games?
Video Games and Depression Studies

Research on video games focuses on the correlation between aggression and violent games. A few studies have not examined the relationship between violent games and depression in youth, particularly among pre-pubescents. Susan Tortolero and colleagues conducted a survey. This domain was explored by Susan Tortolero et al. The researchers found that preadolescent youth who played high-violence games for more than two hours per day had a significantly higher rate of depression when compared to those who only played low-violence games for less than two hours per day.
Another study, which examined the psychological effects of gaming, found that problematic gaming was associated positively with positive emotions and good social relationships. It was also associated with the following:
Maladaptive coping strategies
Negative emotions
Low self-esteem
Preference for solitude
Poor school performance
Beijing Normal University researchers took over 2000 students 16-21 who had played more than two hours per day for the past four years. The researchers narrowed the sample to 63 gamers who met the criteria for gaming addiction and ran MRI scans on them. It was found that their prefrontal cortex, which controls reason, was being disrupted by signals from the left brain amygdala. This is responsible for managing emotions and depression. They were also more likely to stay online, making their depression symptoms worse.
Brian Sutton-Smith, a psychologist, found that play is more important than work. Depression is the opposite of play. Research has shown that video games stimulate our reward pathways and hippocampus (the learning center). These areas are also affected by clinical depression, which can cause us to become understimulated or even shrink over time.

Can Video Games Cause Depression?

It is not clear that video games are associated with clinical depression. Many people who have a problem with gaming experience symptoms of depression. There is a distinction between clinical depression and unhappiness. It is possible to be happy even if you don't meet the criteria of depression.

Many gamers find this to be true because of how video games work. They neglect other aspects of their lives because of their video game addiction. As a result, they need to work on their academic/professional performance, self-care, and relationships. This affects their quality of life and makes them unhappy and stuck.

Video games are believed to cause depression. This belief is made worse by the fact that most mental health professionals don't understand their effects on our brains. They diagnose gamers with depression. Although many gamers fit the criteria for depression, they cannot treat them because their addiction to video games is not the same as depression.

Are Video Games Good for Depression?

Video games are a popular way to deal with depression. It isn't healthy as it is easy for people to become addicted to video games if they are already depressed. Because they offer a safe escape from the real world, people start to play video games. It is possible to lose yourself in a virtual world and forget about real-life emotional pain.

Children and teens often play games to escape bullying in real life or online. Online communities can help them find people who don't judge them for being obese, poor, or having acne. People on the internet view them as who they are as individuals and not for the circumstances that they have experienced as teenagers. They find video games appealing and use them to manage their depression.

The data from fMRI scans show that gaming suppresses negative feelings. Video games can be very effective in helping people with depression. They can shut down the negative emotions in your brain and prevent you from feeling ashamed or lonely.

Video Games and Mental Health

We tend to think only of the negative effects of video games on our mental well-being. Video games can make us feel stuck, depressed, or anxious, and they can also cause strain in our relationships. Video games can cause these issues but are not the only cause.

The Good

Video games can create a sense of community. Online friendships can be a great way to make friends if you are lonely. These friendships can be genuine. Because of the absence of geographical distance, online friendships can last a lifetime. These friends can be the only support system for people and help them through difficult times.
It can be a fun and relaxing activity to play video games. Many of us were able to experience LAN parties when we were young, and they were great times. It's great to hang out with friends. Gaming can bring out the best in you. You can quickly turn to video gaming in moderation to share time with your friends online during difficult times like the COVID-19 epidemic.
Video games train your analytical mind. An extensive review of multiple studies revealed that gamers have an above-average ability to focus on one stimulus and various stimuli simultaneously. Gamers are well-suited to succeed in fast-paced environments such as startups because they have excellent problem-solving skills.

The Bad

Video games can easily cause dopamine addiction. Dopamine, the neurotransmitter responsible for pleasure and enjoyment, makes video games so enjoyable. If a gamer is addicted to dopamine, they will play more games to enjoy the same fun.
Gaming can be used to create a mental pattern called the Triumph circuit. This circuit makes us feel happy when we conquer a challenge. You can only get stuck if you think of all your success from playing video games. They will not be motivated to improve other aspects of their lives.
Video games can suppress negative emotions. This is why they can be used to manage anxiety and depression. Alexithymia is a condition where you cannot accurately determine your inner emotional state. This can be caused by long-term video game use. This can lead to mental illness, as people cannot pinpoint the emotions influencing their current state.

Find a mental health professional for depression.

A therapist does not have to be a problem. Talk to a therapist if you are feeling stuck. You can make better decisions about how to deal with your concerns.

Anxiety and depression are two common mood disorders. There are many resources you can access.

You can do simple searches on Google, such as "therapists near me" and "psychiatrists nearby." You will likely find a provider close to you. It also depends on where you live.
You can contact your insurance company to request a referral to a mental healthcare provider if you're in the US.
If you are looking for a way to connect with licensed professionals online, websites such as PsychologyToday and BetterHelp can be great options.
Rise Above the Disorder (RAD), a non-profit organization that provides financial assistance for therapy, is a great choice. RAD is a nonprofit that works to make mental health care more accessible for everyone. Their resources are available here.
It is also important to realize that mental health professionals are all about being "fit." If your therapist doesn't understand you, don't give up on therapy. Look for a younger therapist with experience helping people with internet/gaming problems.

Conclusion

Although video games don't cause depression, they can mask the symptoms and make it worse. Sometimes, people mistakenly attribute pre-existing depression to video games. Addiction to video games can make life less enjoyable. Although they might not cause depression, you can still be unhappy if you are addicted to video games.

If you answered yes to this question, you have a problem you need to solve.