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Video games are an excellent distraction to break up invasive thought patterns, too. There are several methods to use distractions that therapists tailor to the
by caseyy 2y ago
Video games are an excellent distraction to break up invasive thought patterns, too. There are several methods to use distractions that therapists tailor to their clients.
This is part of why I work in the games industry, grandstanding as it may sound. Games have helped me deal with complex PTSD at a point in my life. It is important to do the other work and not just rely on distraction as forever.
But distractions give you breathing room and some space away from invasive thoughts. The trauma can then begin to heal.
- bigfatfrock 2y agoThat's a highly compassionate reason to get into an industry, bravo. Is there a specific type of game you found healing, or especially one that you prefer to create for such a purpose? I personally strangely find a mix of 'brain turn off' games such as ARPGs healing but then can also find great peace in crushing my brain through another Factorio run.
- caseyy 2y agoThank you for your compliment. I think the type of game most healing is the type of game that gives you what you need — good emotions, wisdom, coming of age stories and role models, escapism, or a distraction. There is a lot in the medium that can be healing. As all art, games have a message and a purpose. What speaks to you is what will be most impactful.
- lnxg33k1 2y agoI have no PTSD, but I recently lost my job, and while I am looking for another one I decided to use the time off in order to stop smoking, so far it's been a bit more than 3 weeks, and I think it's been the period I've been playing the most videogames since high school, it is really useful to overcome temporary cravings by doing something that doesn't require much mental efforts but still keeps the mind busy to don't think about smoking, every day I am suffering less and less, and I think without videogames it would have been much harder. Keep in mind, I'm 37 years old and have smoked since I was 13
- dbrueck 2y agoThis is so cool! From one random internet person to another: you can do it!
- lnxg33k1 2y agoThank you!
- grashalm 2y agoThat is a great strategy. It gets easier over time though. My tipp is to still join smoking friends, but just don't smoke. Makes you robust against the temptation longer term.
- beezlewax 2y agoYou should probably avoid other smokers in early stages though
- lnxg33k1 2y agoI'm in Italy right now, and it's not really possible, here everyone smokes, I am trying now to stay away from society, but went for a walk saturday and in the bar I usually go, you can even smoke inside (it's a little underground bar hidden from law/society)
- j45 2y agoDon’t worry about grandstanding, it’s not. It’s good to have found an angle that you care about and can apply yourself to. This is a really nice way of explaining it and I didn’t consider it before despite being a very heavy gamer at one point.
- vitalurk 2y agoHey, any chance you would be into connecting and talking about healing trough playing games?
- caseyy 2y agoThank you for asking. Apologies, but I enjoy the anonymity here and am not looking to connect outside HN. Hope what I shared has been useful.
- vitalurk 2y agoI respect that. If you change your mind, feel free to comment here. Am infantry vet studying psychology and super interested in the topic!
- ncr100 2y agoDo you wish for the Star Trek AR game with the tubes gobbling up the discs, and the mind control side effect? It seemed mildly compelling, and Tetris like. * https://www.popularmechanics.com/culture/tv/a13595750/star-treks-addictive-game-hololens/ https://www.popularmechanics.com/culture/tv/a13595750/star-t...
- deterministic 2y agoAs somebody who is currently experiencing depression/anxiety can you talk more on what happened with you and how you improved?