Video game playing is growing at an exponential rate, with millions of Americans regularly playing video games and watching competitive video games (i.e., esports). Increased accessibility (e.g., mobile and computer-based games) and multiplayer games allow individuals to play video games virtually anywhere, at anytime, with almost anyone broadening the scope of gaming and its potential impact. Underscored by the World Health Organization’s recent decision to recognize the diagnosis of “gaming disorder,” there is a growing need for greater understanding of gaming and its relationship to anxiety and depression.
This workshop provides an overview of the gaming phenomenon, integrating insight from research and case vignettes to illuminate the multifaceted relationship between gaming, anxiety and depression. In addition, this workshop utilizes case vignettes and examples to demonstrate various strategies for including gaming into the conceptualization and treatment of anxiety and depression for video game players.
Learning objectives: (i) Recognize key elements of video game playing (e.g., types of video games, differences between the most popular video games, characteristics of different types of video game players). (ii) Apply knowledge about gaming into the conceptualization and treatment of anxiety and depression for video game players. (iii) Discuss the multifaceted relationship between gaming, anxiety, and depression.
(This workshop was presented on March 31, 2019 at the Anxiety and Depression Association of America conference in Chicago, IL.)
PRESENTERS:
Carolyn Rubenstein, PhD: NSAC South Florida (Center for the Treatment of Anxiety and Mood Disorders).
Gabrielle Avery-Peck, PhD: NSAC South Florida (Center for the Treatment of Anxiety and Mood Disorders).
NOTICE:
Our workshops and webinars are offered as an educational resource for
mental health professionals who are already familiar with cognitive and behavioral therapies.
These resources alone do not suffice as adequate training
to conduct cognitive and behavioral therapies
for those with social anxiety and related problems.