Interactive Fiction. Surprisingly, Katawa Shoujo. Just loved walking around and soaking up the beautiful scenery in the game, being whoever I wanted to be, living another life that was totally different and more exciting than my actual one. Any depressed person should see a doctor to discuss getting professional treatment. This 40-minute documentary features interviews with many people battling depression. They give tips on what to say and not to say, and share the personal stories of those who have struggled with depression. Men tend to get angrier or agitated. Now, obviously you won't stop being depressed through video games. In fact, over 15 million people in the United States struggle with depression every year. Similarly, grim games like Dark Souls do wonders for creating perspective. This study used casual video games, that are commercially available, as opposed to ones that have been designed for treating depression. It's easy to think of the character you play as you and it's much more immersive to actually have some control in the story. That's what every therapist will say and I agree. That's just me though. I did nothing but play video games for a couple years during the height of it and didn't start feeling better about myself until I started working out and doing different things. There's just no motivation in me to really care. Depression has many facets, and people can be depressed for many different reasons. The only way out is to start toward your goals and distract yourself when you start thinking about your depression. It's just that even a form of escapism can have a serious temporary emotional impact. It just helps. He finds that it's much easier to deal with his anxieties when he can disconnect from the world and focus on a totally different one. I dislike using drugs (prescription or otherwise) to deal with those intense bursts of feeling terrible, because then you end up relying on the drugs and never getting at the core of your own feelings. I'm curious as to which video games, of any genre or system, have helped you the most with depression, anxiety, or sadness. However, there…. It probably would have hit harder then. It's not as easy as saying, "Well, I'm feeling depressed right now, and since gaming is my favorite hobby, I'll try to find a game that's good for curing depression". Anxiety is an invisible illness. Much has been written about video games, and quite a lot of it is negative. It can also affect anyone from young children to adults. I've seen many comments and reviews describing Slime Rancher as a game that helps with depression and I'm curious about if this applies to other games. Developer. This is all long-term though. There's been significant research on the topic, and some good news has come out of it: Video games can actually be good for our stress levels! To find a mental health service provider in your area, check the Anxiety and Depression Association of America's Find a Therapist Directory. Depression needs to be treated by doctors. Calum McSwiggan spells out the many terrible things that depression tells you: that you are worthless, that people are talking about you behind your back, and he explains just why they’re inaccurate. One group of study participants were addicted to video games, while the people in the control group were not hooked on gaming. A depressive episode, however, is when you experience those same feelings with no apparent reason, for an extended period of time. Video games and depression occur together in over a quarter of all people with gaming disorder. Just imagine those disgusting undead as your nemesis, grab onto your favorite weapon and just blast them off. Yep. In this TEDx Talk, Jessica Gimeno shares her personal struggle with depression, other diseases, and the strategies she uses to stay productive. When I was really depressed games were the worst thing for me. Gaming has helped me cope with loneliness for the longest time, and I honestly don't know where I'd be without it. It also educates on why you can’t just “snap out of it” and why sometimes medication is necessary to balance the chemicals in your brain. For me, one of the best video games to play for depression is Left4Dead. Because teens tend to struggle in silence and hide their depression due to the stigma surrounding it, here she discusses the various symptoms of depression, how to tell the difference between normal mood swings and depression, and why it is important to be open about it. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. I also agree that the game doesn't necessarily need bright and cheery characters to help. I came here to say P4. Like if your goal is to become a famous musician but you spend all day playing MMORPGs instead of writing music then World of Warcraft will only serve to make you more depressed at the end of the day. I play a lot of games still, but they supplement other things that I try to focus on. It's a game you can pick up and put down relatively easy and just come back to in a few days/weeks. That's not how it works. This is the story of one man who did. This is not going to be a popular opinion, but I feel strongly about it. Warning: This video has some strong language. Why? On tough days it can really help pull me out of a dive. Howdy Guys !! Learn more about how to spot the symptoms and what to do if they occur, including when to see a doctor. This is What You Need to Know, What Not to Say to Someone Who Has Depression – And What to Say Instead, You’re Not Alone: The Truth About Depression, Yoga, Running, and Other Workouts Can Combat Depressive Episodes, 7 Signs That It’s Time to Revisit Your Mental Health Treatment Plan, Too Exhausted to Eat? Persona 5 ... depression video games wellbeing. I can't really explain. I have very little interest in video games when I'm actually depressed. Many people have suffered during enforced Covid-19 quarantines. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. However, since one of the main symptoms of depression is being unable to enjoy activities, I think it's essential for recovery to find ways to enjoy life again. All rights reserved. With that in mind, here are the eight best … However, the individuals who went through depression and used video games therapeutically, can give us a lead. 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