Pokemon Go, an augmented reality game that is gradually but inevitably taking over the virtual world by storm may be of help to people suffering from psychological disorders, according to a leading psychologist.
"It does confer a number of benefits for all sorts of psychological conditions like anxiety and depression," said Dr Edward Chan, principal consultant psychologist at the International Psychology Centre, here.
For example, he said, the game could serve as a distraction for people dealing with depression, from their negative thoughts and indirectly help them to get up and venture outside of their cocoon.
He added that Pokemon Go could possibly help those facing serious problems like phobias and social anxiety.
"It is a very good motivation for this group of people to get them back on their feet.
"They will start to interact with fellow game go-ers out in the open instead of being stuck at home while at the same time boosting one's self-esteem and social skills," he told Bernama, here today.
Dr Chan, when asked to comment on Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak's statement that the government had no objection for Pokemon Go to be released here, lauded the move.
"This shows that we are open-minded about new things; it also indicates that the country is willing to embrace change while adapting technological advancement and social change," he said.
Recently, Salleh said Malaysia had neither objected nor restricted release of the free mobile game application as some countries might. "..we in Malaysia have not reached that stage," the minister had said.
Pokemon Go, developed by Niantic Incorporation of Nintendo USA has set a new wave of augmented reality game in the history of smartphone applications.
Nevertheless, Dr Chan who has 20 years of experience in the psychological field, is cautious on the negative impact of the game, such as obsession that might result in distractions over priorities.
"So far there is no evidence to suggest that Pokemon Go is necessarily a negative thing; however if a person does get disrupted, neglecting their relationships or studies then this may not be so good," he opined.
Pokemon Go is a conventional 'hide and seek' game where players are required to find and fight virtual characters based on real-world location detected via smartphone.
The application was officially released on July 6 this year in Australia, New Zealand and United States and has since reached over 30 countries worldwide.
No specific release date has been planned for Malaysia, but the hugely popular mobile application game may be made available here for Android and iOS users in September this year.
Bernama
Sat Jul 30 2016
![Pokemon Go can help those with psychological disorders, psychologist says Pokemon Go can help those with psychological disorders, psychologist says](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2016-07/81468922219_PokemonPokemonGO.jpg)
Pokemon Go is a conventional 'hide and seek' game where players are required to find and fight virtual characters based on real-world location detected via smartphone.
![Sultan Selangor jalani pemeriksaan kesihatan untuk pembedahan katarak mata Sultan Selangor jalani pemeriksaan kesihatan untuk pembedahan katarak mata](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81721125507_SultanSelangor.jpg)
Sultan Selangor jalani pemeriksaan kesihatan untuk pembedahan katarak mata
Sultan Selangor Sultan kini berada di hospital untuk rawatan pemeriksaan kesihatan bagi menjalani prosedur pembedahan katarak mata.
Enam MP kekal : Tak adil salahkan Speaker - Gobind
Mengenai keputusan mengekalkan enam kerusi Parlimen bekas ahli Bersatu, Gobind Singh Deo berkata tidak adil untuk salahkan Speaker buat keputusan yang diperuntukkan undang-undang.
![Tokan dadah ditahan bersama dua pucuk pistol di Alor Setar Tokan dadah ditahan bersama dua pucuk pistol di Alor Setar](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51721123744_tokandadah.jpg)
Tokan dadah ditahan bersama dua pucuk pistol di Alor Setar
Polis menahan dua lelaki dan merampas dua pucuk pistol serta pelbagai jenis dadah dalam dua tangkapan di Taman Lam Foong, di Alor Setar.
![Tiada tempat selamat di Gaza, kata ketua PBB Tiada tempat selamat di Gaza, kata ketua PBB](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/51719354914_Destroyedbuildings.jpg)
Tiada tempat selamat di Gaza, kata ketua PBB
Beliau berkata tahap pertempuran dan kemusnahan yang melampau di Gaza tidak dapat difahami dan tidak boleh dimaafkan.
![Saya tidak fitnah Lim Guan Eng, cuma jelas tentang siasatan SPRM - Muhyiddin Saya tidak fitnah Lim Guan Eng, cuma jelas tentang siasatan SPRM - Muhyiddin](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51721121786_MuhyiddinYassin.jpg)
Saya tidak fitnah Lim Guan Eng, cuma jelas tentang siasatan SPRM - Muhyiddin
Muhyiddin memberitahu bahawa beliau tidak memfitnah Lim Guan Eng berhubung isu pengecualian cukai terhadap Yayasan Albukhary.
![Saintis kesan gen bantu rawat kanser pankreas Saintis kesan gen bantu rawat kanser pankreas](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/81712376317_TujuanForensik.jpg)
Saintis kesan gen bantu rawat kanser pankreas
Gen HNF4A (Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 4 Alpha) didapati akan berhenti berfungsi pada tubuh pesakit kanser pankreas.
Pantau Agenda Reformasi: Potensi dan cabaran percambahan e-Sukan di Malaysia
Pengerusi Gabungan Pelajar Melayu Semenanjung (GPMS) Negeri Selangor
merangkap Timbalan Presiden Majlis Belia Negeri Selangor
E-Sukan mampu mencetak nama Malaysia di pentas dunia. Memahami potensi, kekangan dan peranan yang perlu dimainkan semua pihak dalam melahirkan lebih ramai pemain E-Sukan yang berjaya, seterusnya menyokong pembangunan industri E-Sukan negara.
SRG cipta sejarah pasukan Malaysia pertama juarai MSC MLBB 2024
merangkap Timbalan Presiden Majlis Belia Negeri Selangor
E-Sukan mampu mencetak nama Malaysia di pentas dunia. Memahami potensi, kekangan dan peranan yang perlu dimainkan semua pihak dalam melahirkan lebih ramai pemain E-Sukan yang berjaya, seterusnya menyokong pembangunan industri E-Sukan negara.
SRG cipta sejarah pasukan Malaysia pertama juarai MSC MLBB 2024
Jualan kereta di Malaysia diunjur cecah 765,000 unit
Persatuan Automotif Malaysia (MAA) melakukan semakan semula berkaitan sasaran jumlah keseluruhan industri (TIV) kepada 765,000 unit berbanding unjuran awal 740,000 unit untuk 2024. Semakan dibuat disokong oleh persekitaran ekonomi yang positif dan jumlah tempatan tertunggak yang masih berada pada tahap yang baik
Kementerian Digital cari kaedah kurangkan kos pelaksanaan sistem e-invois
Kerajaan sedang mencari kaedah mengurangkan kos pelaksanaan sistem e-invois untuk Perusahaan Kecil dan Sederhana (PKS) selepas sistem itu diwajibkan untuk semua perniagaan pada 1 Julai 2025
Perbelanjaan pengguna dijangka meningkat tahun ini
Perbelanjaan Pengguna Malaysia dijangka meningkat sepanjang tahun ini
dengan unjuran sebanyak RM904.6 bilion, ketika proses pemulihan ekonomi menunjukkan kemajuan pada ketika ini.
dengan unjuran sebanyak RM904.6 bilion, ketika proses pemulihan ekonomi menunjukkan kemajuan pada ketika ini.
![Pokemon Go bantu elak kemurungan, kata pakar psikologi Pokemon Go bantu elak kemurungan, kata pakar psikologi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2016-07/61469149301_PokemonGo.jpg)
Pokemon Go bantu elak kemurungan, kata pakar psikologi
Pokemon Go turut membantu mereka yang mengalami masalah serius seperti fobia dan kebimbangan sosial kerana ia adalah satu motivasi yang sangat baik bagi golongan ini untuk bangkit semula.