[Lucasrox58]

I like to play Halo and stuff like that, and I lucid dream and regular dream. My friend told me playing violent games causes lucid nightmares, and I've had one of those and they're friggen TERRIFYING. Help me! Is it true or can I still play the games?

[talaniman]

If scaring yourself is causing you problems then you shouldn't do it. If you don't mind being terrified then keep playing. Comes down to whether you rather play Halo or have bad dreams, lucid or not.

How old are you? Cut back on the gaming and see if that's the cause of your bad dreams or your friend suggesting it is.

[odinn7]

I'm going to say that you play the games WAY too much if they are causing you issues like this.

[Lucasrox58]

Btw, video games have never caused me nightmares. I just don't want nightmares

[Lucasrox58]

I like to play shooting games, the only ones I have are halo 4 cod 4 and mw2. I want to get mw3 and I'm a kid. I'll say my age range is between 9-12. I'm a 2 digit number though. Anyway, I'm concerned I play to many war games. My parents are fine with it and I have airsoft and nerf and all that. I am mature for my age. I always do my homework and do A lot of work. I just don't know if I should be playing war games! I mean I play other games like minecraft, block lan,d flappy bird, I also love to mix music! So am I play to get mw3? Just your opinion.

[odinn7]

Yes, you play too many war games. You need to get outside and see that there is a real world out there.

[smoothy]

I agree with Odinn7... get outside into the real world... unless you want to turn into a dork that can't find a girlfriend a few years down the road.

[Lucasrox58]

I feel like I have no purpose in life, all I do is play video games. It's sad. Yes I do go outside when I have friends over, and trust me I would go run around outside right now, but its pouring down rain and its cold. My friend gets all the pretty girls, he even stole one from me. I feel like a loser that won't ever get a girlfriend and sits in bed and plays video games all day. But I do play basket ball. What is my purpose in life. (I want to be a part time DJ when I'm older)

[odinn7]

Kid...you're too young to worry about your purpose right now...you really are.

I am 47 and I wonder my purpose...do I have one? Why am I here? Maybe I should have done something differently when I was younger so I could have made a difference...it's a battle with inner demons that I fight constantly now and I haven't told this to many people...but because of your question, I am saying it. This is not something that at your age, you want to start thinking. It will lead to depression that will get worse over time. You are young. There is still plenty of time for you to find your purpose or for it to find you.

Is playing video games all day long a good idea? No. You should find other things to interest you as well.

Does having a girlfriend at your age make you a better person with a purpose in life? No...having a girlfriend at this age is nothing but trouble. That will happen when it should. Also, you say you have a friend that stole a girl from you...just so you know, that's not much of a friend.

[Cat1864]

Guessing your age from clues in another thread, you are 10 years old?

You are bored and need to find something to do other than sit around feeling sorry for yourself. It only feeds the feeling of not having a purpose in life. Instead, get up, get active doing something, anything, that you can see the results of your actions. Cleaning your room, dusting the living room, washing dishes, organizing books, etc. may seem like chores but seeing a clean sink or the gleam of freshly polished wood or the feel of clean floors can give you sense of pride for doing a good job. It feeds positive feelings and thoughts.

[Wondergirl]

When my two sons were your age and said similar things, I put them to work around the house, doing things beyond their regular chores. In the spring, we planted a garden after talking about what seeds to buy (green peppers, pumpkins, and carrots). We also went to a local nursery and bought flower seedlings to plant by the back door and driveway. We pulled weeds together, watered the growing plants, and harvested our vegetables in the fall. We cooked and baked simple things. Now both boys are adults and are very comfortable in the kitchen as well as in taking care of a yard/garden. Their dad showed them how to change the oil in the car and how to repair things around the house. It wasn't rocket science, but it all added to their knowledge and good feelings about themselves.

How about doing things like that with one or both of your parents to teach you -- how to do the laundry and how to bake chocolate chip cookies from scratch? Those skills will last a lifetime and will be some of the best things you ever learned.

[tickle]

If you don't like the nightmares then don't do it.

[mogrann]

Sorry guys but I am an 40some year old adult who still plays video games. There is nothing wrong with being a geek, nerd or dork. Hubby and I are both gamers: he is a console gamer and I am a computer gamer.

NOW for the exception. ANYTHING taken to excess can be bad for you. For example there are times I want to stay home and game. I just don't want to go to work. I can't as I need to work to earn money. If I started doing that I would have to reevaluate my gaming. Games don't necessarily cause nightmares in everyone. If you are wondering how about you sit down and on a piece of paper write down how long you spend on each activity. If it concerns you, you can ask your parents to help you control your gaming with parental controls.

Make sure you factor in :
Time with family
Time with friends
School work
Exercise \sports/playing
Chores around the house
And anything else you think you should apply.

[CravenMorhead]

I agree with Odinn7... get outside into the real world... unless you want to turn into a dork that can't find a girlfriend a few years down the road.

Not as true as it used to be. Avid gamers are as socially accepted as jocks these days. Even jocks are gamers. It is a brave new world. I agree with getting outside, but there's nothing wrong with gaming. It is just proportion and moderation. Like anything in life.

[odinn7]

Even at 47 I still love gaming. Last year I designed a computer for myself dedicated just to gaming...but there is still a need to be outside for a bit as a kid. An equal balance seems to work well.