Coping with anxiety via video games?

[cinnamoos]

I love playing video games, I've been playing them since I was little. I think my first game was Duck Hunt on the NES haha. I do use video games to destress myself and take my mind off of things at home. I normally play MMO's like Final Fantasy XIV or Animal Crossing New Leaf/Happy Home Designer on my 3DS. I've also been playing Overwatch lately, too! There's nothing like a little bit of escapism to my favorite games.

 

[redpanda]

I find video games to be therapeutic as well . I've played a lot of video games since I was a kid and having an "escape" was always helpful. These days, they continue to be useful but online games (like MMOs) can still cause me anxiety because I'm dealing with real people.


I don't know how many of you picked up Pokemon GO (a free to play game that just got released) but it's been a lot of fun for me. It encourages me to get out of the apartment more . I've heard it's helped a lot of people with social anxiety and tons of people have made new friends through the game.

 

[SarahWorksAtHome]

Oh goodness, they make mine worse! The lights, the graphics, the sounds... all will put me in a near panic mode quickly!


I can play some games for a very short time but if I stay on too long I will feel disoriented and all most "out of body" which throws me into an attack in a heartbeat!


Even the RPGs and more "laid back" games can throw me off pretty quickly by making me feel dizzy. Now, keep in mind I also have fibromyalgia so some of that could be my extra-sensitivity from that. Thoughts?

 

[kelden]

I think it really depends on the game. Multiplayer online games probably just stress you out even more. I know League of Legends for sure isn't going to help. I think games that are somewhat relaxing RPGs would help. I know that just running around and exploring in Skyrim is something that I definitely find to be very relaxing and might help some of you guys.

Hahaha League of Legends will either rise or lower your self esteem, regardless, you'll end up being a worse person playing that game. You don't lose much without playing LoL anyway, It got worse by every patch in a failed attempt to mitigate toxicity from the noxious community. An anxious person is far better off with single player games or multiplayer cooperatives instead of heated Player vs Player generally, I'm not saying that We the anxious prone can't enjoy PvP, but We are to be prepared that experiences may vary and things are going to suck a lot in a certain moment.

 

[rootle]

Hahaha League of Legends will either rise or lower your self esteem, regardless, you'll end up being a worse person playing that game. You don't lose much without playing LoL anyway, It got worse by every patch in a failed attempt to mitigate toxicity from the noxious community. An anxious person is far better off with single player games or multiplayer cooperatives instead of heated Player vs Player generally, I'm not saying that We the anxious prone can't enjoy PvP, but We are to be prepared that experiences may vary and things are going to suck a lot in a certain moment.

Yeah LoL is just not good for mental health. But I love the game and I love working at getting at it. Sometimes I need to take a break though and make sure I've not gotten to sucked into it.

 

[PoppyLeigh]

I find that playing Animal Crossing on 3DS helps me to feel calm. It's such an easy game to just get out and play for hours on end and live in a different world. I just saw someone else mentioned it in this threat and I'm not surprised! The music is beautiful and the graphics are so cute and just make me feel like nothing can go wrong. Definitely recommend to anyone who likes anything from the Animal Crossing series. I also agree with the person who mentioned Minecraft. It's such a great way to get lost in a different world from our own.

 

[janemariesayed]

Yes, it helps me and I am glad that I am not alone on this. I have got better as I have tried to make limits to the times I play games and it seems to help. I still get anxiety and panic attacks but playing games do relax me and help me to put my mind somewhere else.