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Games are definitely a great way to distract you from traumatic events going on in your life. Honestly any time I would hear my parents argue when I was growing up, I'd go and play my Playstation to distract myself. Gaming is the best way of escaping from real life's struggles in my opinion. Though of course you might not want to play violent games if you're sensitive to violence and if that's what's been causing your trauma.

Yeah, definitely. I find they can be very immersive, and thus have high 'escapement value' from real life - especially if they're fantasy-themed! Although, I suppose one disadvantage is that, once the traumatic time is over, I might grow to associate the game with the traumatic time. (For example, one thing that dampens my enjoyment of Transport Fever is that it was my main lockdown game!)

Momentarily, it can help to take your mind off things but I don't think it really helps long-term if you don't try to address the root of the problem.

I went through a really rough mentally abusive relationship for a while which I was scared to get out of at first due to what had been said to me. I found comfort in playing video games which too my mind away from what I was going through and as much as it didn't get me out of the situation it helped me get through the tough times. I am now happy to say I am out of the situation but I suffer a lot of mental health issues now because of that and even now, gaming is a get away for me when I have bad mental health days.