Question of the Week: Due 1/16/09

[At least 250 words on the Question of the Week topic are due by 5:00 PM on Friday, 1/16/09 for a maximum of 25 points.]

Background: Post traumatic stress disorder (PSTD)can happen to you after experiencing a very terrible event. For more information on PSTD, see this web site: http://brainline.org/content/content.php?name=ptsd-fact-sheet-frequently-asked-questions&gclid=COHLs4LI_5cCFQkzawod1VvT1Q. A new released study from Oxford University indicates that playing the video game, Tetris, may help to reduce the effects of traunma: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7813637.stm. Other studies show that playing video games may help reduce general stress levels. See these two web sites:

http://gigaom.com/2008/04/28/study-shows-games-help-reduce-stress/

http://www.dmwmedia.com/news/2007/10/24/video-game-shown-to-reduce-stress-hormone-levels

Question: What is your opinion of using video games to reduce stress? Does it work for you? Or, do some video games increase your stress levels instead of reducing them?