Tetris May Help Reduce Trauma From Accidents. Yes, Really.

The human memory can be a curse, as well as a blessing. After a very stressful incident, we can suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. In PTSD, triggering memories or sensations can bring back vivid memories of the traumatic incident, along with intense negative emotions. Current treatments for PTSD include therapy and medications. The therapy focuses on addressing the cognitive patterns that bring back memories of the event, or carefully managed temporary exposure to help us better adjust our coping strategies. Medications include antidepressants and anxiety-reducing drugs. But should we be adding video games to the mix? Could playing a video game reduce the likelihood of a trauma victim developing PTSD? The idea sounds crazy, but a number of studies have shown that video games may help prevent PTSD by interrupting the formation of memories immediately after the event occurs. <h2>Like cement, memories need time to harden</h2> We think of memories as forming instantly. See something happen, it becomes a memory, and you can recall it whenever you choose (or, in the case of PTSD, when triggered by a linked sensation or observation). <a href="https://medium.com/a-microbiome-scientist-at-large/tetris-may-help-reduce-trauma-from-accidents-yes-really-ebac252ab642">Website</a>