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Playing videogames is another drug with which to escape reality. But at least it gives you something to do rather than spending all your time dwelling in depres

Playing videogames is another drug with which to escape reality. But at least it gives you something to do rather than spending all your time dwelling in depression, which is why I have around 2800 hours playing Heroes of the Storm. My experience has been that negative thoughts and memories are less likely to occur while playing, especially if you have to communicate verbally with teammates in order to succeed. Making creative works using your hands is another non-digital outlet which keeps the mind focused. Unfortunately, it's not really a permanent solution as intrusive thought and memories begin to show up during downtime.

abledon 5y ago
have you considered going through the HealthyGamerGG coaching program or doing their course?
nverno 5y ago
Physical outdoor work is another good activity for the mind.
Pet_Ant 5y ago
But just like Ativan in gives you an out when it's overwhelming and other coping mechanisms aren't working.
- sinsterizme 5y ago
  Umm except benzos are incredibly dangerous to take for any extended period. Stay away from them
9wzYQbTYsAIc 5y ago
> Unfortunately, it's not really a permanent solution as intrusive thought and memories begin to show up during downtime. Hospitals can definitely use it as a protocol to help prevent or minimize the establishment of the traditional semi-permanent traumatic stress disorders, though. Traumatic stress can often cause depressive symptoms, but this technique isn’t directly addressing depression - it is addressing the prevention of traumatic stress disorders in the first 24 hours after a traumatic event.
singlow 5y ago
Working with your hands is the original digital activity ;-)
hart_russell 5y ago
Tangent: HOTS is a highly underrated MOBA. Mechanics that people find too “casual” make the game more fun in my opinion.
- FirstLvR 5y ago
  IMO the best moba out there right now, well balanced, the art is great and the mechanics are fun if you are fan of blizzard games then this is your game, most of the known heroes are in the game trying to gank each other
- thedespone 5y ago
  Agree on this one. Still playing this after getting into it on college.
gonehome 5y ago
I've found it helps by forcing focus on a narrow task. In these tests they used tetris, but rockband or guitar hero is similar too. There's some evidence to support anxiety being tied to rumination, thought loops, hypervigilance and such. If you're able to force yourself to focus on a narrow task I think that can help relieve some of that in a way that lingers for a bit. Makes it easier to reframe stuff.
dragonwriter 5y ago
> Playing videogames is another drug with which to escape reality. Perhaps, but that isn't what this research (and the related research it builds on); this is about a specific kind of task (Tetris is the specific instance studied in this and some of the other research, but there is some on closely related, similar tasks) and how its use closely after traumatic events prevents formation of intrusive memories from the trauma, and how (combined with particular other techniques) it can disrupt established intrusive memories from past trauma. > Unfortunately, it's not really a permanent solution as intrusive thought and memories begin to show up during downtime. In the form studied, it actually is a solution with permanent effects. EDIT: “Tetris is highly-effective, unsupervised, self-applied first aid for psychic trauma” is actually a very big deal (as is the supervised treatment result for established trauma.)
phkahler 5y ago
Diverting your attention doesn't help long-term. Read about EMDR, it may be related to this video game concept. If so, the effectiveness will depend on the game as well as how much you engage the traumatic thoughts during play.
vlunkr 5y ago
> Playing videogames is another drug with which to escape reality. "Escaping reality" is as old as humanity, I don't see why we need to think of it as a drug, or even a negative thing. Are books drugs? movies? plays? stories told around a fire? Video games are just the latest (really awesome) iteration of that. Obviously there are some disclaimers. Some games are designed like a drug, or like gambling, and some people are more susceptible to addiction. But I think in general, we need to stop feeling guitly about taking part in something that we enjoy.
- moffkalast 5y ago
  Also when it comes to video game addiction it's always just psychological addiction, not actual physical addiction. Often correlated with stress or boredom, and when that's removed it's usually not too hard to adjust back from what I've seen.
- basq 5y ago
  After some very long bouts of self reflection, I've found that I have 4 primary emotional needs: social connection, satisfaction derived from accomplishment, breadth of information to learn, and excitation (something that gets my heard pumping and the adrenaline flowing). Most things in my life that I occupy my free time with can meet those needs, art and music fill the first three, programming meets the middle two, but only gaming fills the 'excited' factor. I have yet to find any other activity that isn't dangerous which gives me the same rush as winning a game of dota2 or overwatch (or what have you). What's more, games not only fulfill my need for excitement, they also fulfill -all- of the aforementioned needs to a decent degree. Sure, I won't feel as accomplished finishing a setup in factorio as I would finishing a piece of music, but the difference really isn't all that great. And for breadth of knowledge? Games are designed to be grok-able, whereas many more existential domains are full of hard or nuanced problems. Lastly, (multiplayer) games are just as social as my other life pursuits if not more so. Guess what I'm saying is that I've had trouble finding a suitable replacement for games, they really can serve as an omni-activity. Despite all that, they still give me a fair portion of guilt when I devote time to them. I can only assume that is my parents' sensibilities which have been ingrained into my conscience. As a result I've quit them multiple times, and the jury's still out as to whether I personally view them as a vice that needs to be severely moderated, but what keeps me coming back is that need for a rush. Nothing else gives it to me in such a balance of low risk / high reward.
thedespone 5y ago
Good to read I am not the only one. Been depressed for a few months now and HOTS (especially ARAM, which is really fast-paced) helps me on the bad days to put my mind on ease. On the bad days I always feel more relieved and less stressed after a couple hours of HOTS. I hope Blizzard won't pull the plug on this any time soon, till then: see you in the Nexus sir!
- ammanley 5y ago
  I can relate to this, super happy HOTS is working for you! Always love seeing another fan of the game, it feels criminally like a missed opportunity for Blizzard. As a chronic anxiety/depression patient, I sincerely hope this has helped you stay afloat during the trying times life for been for us lately. I'm curious, is the same therapeutic effect present in League/DOTA for you, if by chance you've played those before?
  - thedespone 5y ago
    Good to hear it's working for you too sir! I only tried DOTA in college, so don't know about that. LoL I tried but it wasn't that satisfying as HOTS though. Although my preference was always HOTS over LoL. I can imagine LoL has the same effects for someone who likes LoL better. I've met others who gain the same results with completely different games so I believe it all comes down to doing something you enjoy.
petesergeant 5y ago
I've found freeciv to be totally immersive for me, which is great for times when I'm feeling unwell, physically or otherwise, and for travelling.
scollet 5y ago
> Playing videogames is another drug with which to escape reality Maybe the most trivial of games. Even naughts and crosses has deeper implications than the physical mechanics. Most games have a grand appreciation of reality like reading Frankenstein or watching The Lighthouse. Perhaps it's the low stakes context that makes them more accessible, and thus informs our understanding of things outside that context.
ineedasername 5y ago
it's not really a permanent solution as intrusive thought and memories begin to show up during downtime. Sometimes breaking the cycle is enough to stop things. Other times it's enough to give the reprieve needed to for other methods to take hold. And, yes, sometimes it's just a temporary thing and removing it brings back the bad stuff. Videogames can do any of the 3 above roles though.

abledon 5y ago

have you considered going through the HealthyGamerGG coaching program or doing their course?

nverno 5y ago

Physical outdoor work is another good activity for the mind.

Pet_Ant 5y ago

But just like Ativan in gives you an out when it's overwhelming and other coping mechanisms aren't working.

sinsterizme 5y ago
Umm except benzos are incredibly dangerous to take for any extended period. Stay away from them

9wzYQbTYsAIc 5y ago

> Unfortunately, it's not really a permanent solution as intrusive thought and memories begin to show up during downtime. Hospitals can definitely use it as a protocol to help prevent or minimize the establishment of the traditional semi-permanent traumatic stress disorders, though. Traumatic stress can often cause depressive symptoms, but this technique isn’t directly addressing depression - it is addressing the prevention of traumatic stress disorders in the first 24 hours after a traumatic event.

singlow 5y ago

Working with your hands is the original digital activity ;-)

hart_russell 5y ago

Tangent: HOTS is a highly underrated MOBA. Mechanics that people find too “casual” make the game more fun in my opinion.

FirstLvR 5y ago
IMO the best moba out there right now, well balanced, the art is great and the mechanics are fun if you are fan of blizzard games then this is your game, most of the known heroes are in the game trying to gank each other
thedespone 5y ago
Agree on this one. Still playing this after getting into it on college.

gonehome 5y ago

I've found it helps by forcing focus on a narrow task. In these tests they used tetris, but rockband or guitar hero is similar too. There's some evidence to support anxiety being tied to rumination, thought loops, hypervigilance and such. If you're able to force yourself to focus on a narrow task I think that can help relieve some of that in a way that lingers for a bit. Makes it easier to reframe stuff.

dragonwriter 5y ago

> Playing videogames is another drug with which to escape reality. Perhaps, but that isn't what this research (and the related research it builds on); this is about a specific kind of task (Tetris is the specific instance studied in this and some of the other research, but there is some on closely related, similar tasks) and how its use closely after traumatic events prevents formation of intrusive memories from the trauma, and how (combined with particular other techniques) it can disrupt established intrusive memories from past trauma. > Unfortunately, it's not really a permanent solution as intrusive thought and memories begin to show up during downtime. In the form studied, it actually is a solution with permanent effects. EDIT: “Tetris is highly-effective, unsupervised, self-applied first aid for psychic trauma” is actually a very big deal (as is the supervised treatment result for established trauma.)

phkahler 5y ago

Diverting your attention doesn't help long-term. Read about EMDR, it may be related to this video game concept. If so, the effectiveness will depend on the game as well as how much you engage the traumatic thoughts during play.

vlunkr 5y ago

> Playing videogames is another drug with which to escape reality. "Escaping reality" is as old as humanity, I don't see why we need to think of it as a drug, or even a negative thing. Are books drugs? movies? plays? stories told around a fire? Video games are just the latest (really awesome) iteration of that. Obviously there are some disclaimers. Some games are designed like a drug, or like gambling, and some people are more susceptible to addiction. But I think in general, we need to stop feeling guitly about taking part in something that we enjoy.

moffkalast 5y ago
Also when it comes to video game addiction it's always just psychological addiction, not actual physical addiction. Often correlated with stress or boredom, and when that's removed it's usually not too hard to adjust back from what I've seen.
basq 5y ago
After some very long bouts of self reflection, I've found that I have 4 primary emotional needs: social connection, satisfaction derived from accomplishment, breadth of information to learn, and excitation (something that gets my heard pumping and the adrenaline flowing). Most things in my life that I occupy my free time with can meet those needs, art and music fill the first three, programming meets the middle two, but only gaming fills the 'excited' factor. I have yet to find any other activity that isn't dangerous which gives me the same rush as winning a game of dota2 or overwatch (or what have you). What's more, games not only fulfill my need for excitement, they also fulfill -all- of the aforementioned needs to a decent degree. Sure, I won't feel as accomplished finishing a setup in factorio as I would finishing a piece of music, but the difference really isn't all that great. And for breadth of knowledge? Games are designed to be grok-able, whereas many more existential domains are full of hard or nuanced problems. Lastly, (multiplayer) games are just as social as my other life pursuits if not more so. Guess what I'm saying is that I've had trouble finding a suitable replacement for games, they really can serve as an omni-activity. Despite all that, they still give me a fair portion of guilt when I devote time to them. I can only assume that is my parents' sensibilities which have been ingrained into my conscience. As a result I've quit them multiple times, and the jury's still out as to whether I personally view them as a vice that needs to be severely moderated, but what keeps me coming back is that need for a rush. Nothing else gives it to me in such a balance of low risk / high reward.

thedespone 5y ago

Good to read I am not the only one. Been depressed for a few months now and HOTS (especially ARAM, which is really fast-paced) helps me on the bad days to put my mind on ease. On the bad days I always feel more relieved and less stressed after a couple hours of HOTS. I hope Blizzard won't pull the plug on this any time soon, till then: see you in the Nexus sir!

ammanley 5y ago
I can relate to this, super happy HOTS is working for you! Always love seeing another fan of the game, it feels criminally like a missed opportunity for Blizzard. As a chronic anxiety/depression patient, I sincerely hope this has helped you stay afloat during the trying times life for been for us lately. I'm curious, is the same therapeutic effect present in League/DOTA for you, if by chance you've played those before?
- thedespone 5y ago
  Good to hear it's working for you too sir! I only tried DOTA in college, so don't know about that. LoL I tried but it wasn't that satisfying as HOTS though. Although my preference was always HOTS over LoL. I can imagine LoL has the same effects for someone who likes LoL better. I've met others who gain the same results with completely different games so I believe it all comes down to doing something you enjoy.

petesergeant 5y ago

I've found freeciv to be totally immersive for me, which is great for times when I'm feeling unwell, physically or otherwise, and for travelling.

scollet 5y ago

> Playing videogames is another drug with which to escape reality Maybe the most trivial of games. Even naughts and crosses has deeper implications than the physical mechanics. Most games have a grand appreciation of reality like reading Frankenstein or watching The Lighthouse. Perhaps it's the low stakes context that makes them more accessible, and thus informs our understanding of things outside that context.

ineedasername 5y ago

it's not really a permanent solution as intrusive thought and memories begin to show up during downtime. Sometimes breaking the cycle is enough to stop things. Other times it's enough to give the reprieve needed to for other methods to take hold. And, yes, sometimes it's just a temporary thing and removing it brings back the bad stuff. Videogames can do any of the 3 above roles though.