4 ms·

We should be able to aid each other, in person, on learning how to manage these ailments, which are frequently associated to a lack of social fulfillment, as I'

by Funes- 7y ago

We should be able to aid each other, in person, on learning how to manage these ailments, which are frequently associated to a lack of social fulfillment, as I've personally experienced on myself. Gamifying it is literally the last option I would recommend to anyone suffering from anxiety, stress or depression, as blindly following an app's dictates goes essentially against the hard, introspective, and highly critical work one needs to put in in order to start leaning towards being at peace with oneself. I'm not even going to elaborate on how the "reward" function is plainly ill-conceived, for intance. Please, talk to those you love about their suffering; talk to them about yours. Put yourself in the hands of a professional, if you need it. Stop looking for crutches.

throwit-hey15 7y ago
When I was in high school, I had social anxiety and a tendency to isolate myself. I was also seeing a psychologist at the time. One summer, my mom and I decided (with professional blessing) that I would get a “point” for every activity I did with my friends. It worked, and was actually a big turning point for me personally. If nothing else, it became a way for us to talk about anxiety in a way that removed some of the pressure I was putting on myself and turned it into a game: I wasn’t failing as a person any more, I was just playing a game. Please be careful about dismissing an idea so absolutely. Everyone is different. Sometimes crutches do help.
geoelectric 7y ago
I have an anxiety disorder. Mine's co-morbid with ADHD, but even if it weren't ADHD-like symptoms are well-known secondaries of anxiety and depression. For people like me, gamification helps greatly with incentivizing participation until a habit is built. I have no idea if this particular app would be what'd do it for me, but you're down on the concept in general in a way that doesn't represent my own situation well. I do hear what you're saying, and nothing replaces social interaction, but I think you're making an assumption about this being a be-all-end-all. Maybe it would be for some, but those are probably the people who wouldn't adequately find in-person on their own anyway. Maybe this gets them far enough to do so, since just being functional enough to get help in the first place is often one of the biggest problems. On another note, everyone's different. It's one thing to say what works for you, but your social fulfillment will likely be higher if you don't tell everyone else what will and won't work for them.
throwaway_pdp09 7y ago
Nothing wrong with crutches. If they don't work for you don't assume them useless to others. Ditto the "reward" function that @throwit-hey15 used so successfully.
colechristensen 7y ago
It depends on the person and situation. Sometimes the game becomes the major source of stress, sometimes it's the right abstraction and motivation for improvement.
antpls 7y ago
I believe the contribution of this app is great. Maybe it will help some people think about the meaning of being anxious or depressed. By using this app, they may realize they are not actually depressed, or maybe they will not feel better after using it, and they will look for help elsewhere. Great idea imo.

by Funes- 7y ago

throwit-hey15 7y ago

When I was in high school, I had social anxiety and a tendency to isolate myself. I was also seeing a psychologist at the time. One summer, my mom and I decided (with professional blessing) that I would get a “point” for every activity I did with my friends. It worked, and was actually a big turning point for me personally. If nothing else, it became a way for us to talk about anxiety in a way that removed some of the pressure I was putting on myself and turned it into a game: I wasn’t failing as a person any more, I was just playing a game. Please be careful about dismissing an idea so absolutely. Everyone is different. Sometimes crutches do help.

geoelectric 7y ago

I have an anxiety disorder. Mine's co-morbid with ADHD, but even if it weren't ADHD-like symptoms are well-known secondaries of anxiety and depression. For people like me, gamification helps greatly with incentivizing participation until a habit is built. I have no idea if this particular app would be what'd do it for me, but you're down on the concept in general in a way that doesn't represent my own situation well. I do hear what you're saying, and nothing replaces social interaction, but I think you're making an assumption about this being a be-all-end-all. Maybe it would be for some, but those are probably the people who wouldn't adequately find in-person on their own anyway. Maybe this gets them far enough to do so, since just being functional enough to get help in the first place is often one of the biggest problems. On another note, everyone's different. It's one thing to say what works for you, but your social fulfillment will likely be higher if you don't tell everyone else what will and won't work for them.

throwaway_pdp09 7y ago

Nothing wrong with crutches. If they don't work for you don't assume them useless to others. Ditto the "reward" function that @throwit-hey15 used so successfully.

colechristensen 7y ago

It depends on the person and situation. Sometimes the game becomes the major source of stress, sometimes it's the right abstraction and motivation for improvement.

antpls 7y ago

I believe the contribution of this app is great. Maybe it will help some people think about the meaning of being anxious or depressed. By using this app, they may realize they are not actually depressed, or maybe they will not feel better after using it, and they will look for help elsewhere. Great idea imo.