I can tell you from my own experience that they very first sign of my (diagnosed) major depression is losing interest in games. Pleasure completely evaporates,

I can tell you from my own experience that they very first sign of my (diagnosed) major depression is losing interest in games. Pleasure completely evaporates, and something that takes some effort to enjoy like games or reading is the first to go. I would rather lay in bed awake staring at the ceiling with my chest heavy and in a lot of pain than play a game. I don't relate at all to anything you say about escapism. Depression doesn't mean hating the world and your circumstances. Most of my depressions came when I knew that objectively my life is great and I'm doing well. It's an internal total loss of joy that destroys the positive feedback loops that keep all of us motivated. I don't think of games are more escapist than any other solo activity, like education or reading non-fiction or programming. It's just another type of joyful effortful focus. I don't forget myself and who I am and live in the game. I'm still me, playing the game.