gamers and depression

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**Asherian Command**

Well i play wargames, I am intelliegent, i play video games, and I also do parkour. Does that make me depressed? No.
Have i been close to depression? Yes. What was it for? Bullying.
Did wargaming get rid of my depression or quell it? No. It didn't. I got rid of my depression. I started thinking positively. Started complimenting others and started caring.

Parkour let me express myself when I couldn't talk.

Why do we fall? If your afraid. Your going to fall. You fall because you are afraid. Just my advice on the issue.

**Howard A Treesong**

Asherian Command wrote:I got rid of my depression. I started thinking positively. Started complimenting others and started caring.

Different things work for different people. Teenagers get depressed and get over it when their hormones and other things work out as the get older. Bullying is horrible, but adults tend to have slightly different worries and stresses. When you're trying to hold together a career, have no money, have people depending on you for support and have other health problems in your lives, "thinking positively" doesn't make the problems go away.

**Ahtman**

Clinical Depression and "I'm not happy" depression are two different things. The latter can be dealt with by thinking more positively but the former is far more complicated. Like most psychological disorders you can't just 'be positive' to get out of it. It is akin to saying you used to be schizophrenic but you just kept a positive attitude and got over it. It is possible to be very sad without being Depressed. Of course part of the problem is that the laymen term and the clinical term are the same word, much like the discussion of the word 'disabled' and the difference between the normative use and the legal use.

**Ribon Fox**

Depression, been there, done that and still wear the t-shirt. Some times its like a feeling of "meh", other times its nastys dreged up from the past. Some times I'll cry my self to sleep.

Thoughts of killing my self? Done that, nearly did it twice before. The second time I was homeless, penneyless and beaten, I just thought enogth was enogth. A bad time and I was in a really dark place.

Now I just get weepy or really moody but I just tell my self that as long as I'm breathing every thing elies is secondery.

**MrDwhitey**

Ahtman wrote:Clinical Depression and "I'm not happy" depression are two different things.

And yet people will still try to act as if they're the same. I feel the word has either been devalued, or never had much value in the first place (I feel old attitudes influence a lot of this "Buck up!" crap).

Frankly I couldn't feel positive, I couldn't even try, and I'd hate myself for not being able to. Especially when told it was all I needed to do by a father who used to think depression was a myth (he finally lost that thought for good it seems after a certain week last year, which was easily my lowest point).

After many years of trying, a psychologist who was a tit, and drug balances that either made me worse or just downright angry, the right balance was struck and I'm now fine.

Also, that's bad, Ribon.

**Ribon Fox**

Just one of the meny things that I've been threw but hay, if life was easy we would get bord

**LoneLictor**

Monster Rain wrote:I think that a major cause of depression is that people make the mistake of expecting to be "happy."

The world is a gakky, horrific place full of violence and death. Every day that I wake up with food in the fridge and a roof over my head and some people who ostensibly enjoy my company is good enough for me.

YMMV.

Medical Depression is a chemical imbalance in the brain, FYI. It isn't just being a whiny jerk.

**Billinator**

LoneLictor wrote:
Monster Rain wrote:I think that a major cause of depression is that people make the mistake of expecting to be "happy."

The world is a gakky, horrific place full of violence and death. Every day that I wake up with food in the fridge and a roof over my head and some people who ostensibly enjoy my company is good enough for me.

YMMV.

Medical Depression is a chemical imbalance in the brain, FYI. It isn't just being a whiny jerk.

FYI, It's not just that simple. Depression doesn't just bounce in from the streets. There's a lot of factors beyond that of chemistry, that triggers a depression. One of them being "stress", which comes in great variety.

**LoneLictor**

Billinator wrote:
LoneLictor wrote:
Monster Rain wrote:I think that a major cause of depression is that people make the mistake of expecting to be "happy."

The world is a gakky, horrific place full of violence and death. Every day that I wake up with food in the fridge and a roof over my head and some people who ostensibly enjoy my company is good enough for me.

YMMV.

Medical Depression is a chemical imbalance in the brain, FYI. It isn't just being a whiny jerk.

FYI, It's not just that simple. Depression doesn't just bounce in from the streets. There's a lot of factors beyond that of chemistry, that triggers a depression. One of them being "stress", which comes in great variety.

That's true. The main reason I said that wasn't to say that depression is completely random, but to point out that it actually is a serious medical condition and just "positive thinking" and "being grateful" isn't always enough to get through it.

**Monster Rain**

LoneLictor wrote:Medical Depression is a chemical imbalance in the brain, FYI. It isn't just being a whiny jerk.

dogma, tell this lad what kind of fallacy that is.

LoneLictor wrote:That's true. The main reason I said that wasn't to say that depression is completely random, but to point out that it actually is a serious medical condition and just "positive thinking" and "being grateful" isn't always enough to get through it.

I see you managed to see through what I typed and wrested from it the true meaning of what I was saying: that there's no such thing as chemical depression.

Also, "buck up" or "thinking positively" can be therapeutic for a variety of psychiatric disorders. Google "mindfulness."

**dogma**

Monster Rain wrote:
LoneLictor wrote:Medical Depression is a chemical imbalance in the brain, FYI. It isn't just being a whiny jerk.

dogma, tell this lad what kind of fallacy that is.

**TechMarine1**

Got depressed. Was all better after I finished painting a model and watching a movie.

**Bleak_Fantasy**

Nerivant wrote:As an intelligent person with a penchant for rationalizing everything, I've found that I quite enjoy gaming and am constantly depressed.

I've never been the most social sort, not because I couldn't be, but because I couldn't see the reasons behind it. All the way through high school, thought I was fine on my own. Who needs friends, relationships, or human contact when I could get through school on my own and go home and play video games?

That changed in college, when I found myself making actual friends and wanting to develop a relationship. But, years of neglecting those aspects of my life let me woefully unprepared. I had no idea how to meet people, converse with them, or act around them. All was good for a couple months, and then the depression started back up. Summer break my freshman year, I avoided contact with anyone, but kept up the cheerful facade. First sophomore semester, and my friends were worried about me. Winter break, I ignored them when they talked to me, even if it was to ask what was wrong.

And last week I tried to drink myself to death in front of them.

I hated myself. I hated every aspect of my being so thoroughly that I wanted to do the world a favor and take myself out if it. The idea only people who think they have nothing to live for commit suicide is a lie. I had things to live for, but but I didn't think I deserved them. I was a blight on the world and invariably, whoever filled my spot would do a better job at whatever they turned their hands to.

I'm still sorting through what happened and what was said that night. I don't remember any of it. I'm not happy. Not by a long shot. But... happier? Yes, I think I am. That night changed some things. And talking? Talking is helping.

Bro you gotta man the feth up. Their are staving kids in africa that know of nothing but hunger and aids. You have a pretty awesome. Most of the world is way worse off then you are. Life isn't easy, some times you gotta grab life by the balls. I used to be like you too but guess what? I figured out that life aint easy,that if you want success and happiness you gotta put in work son.

**remilia_scarlet**

warspawned wrote:Thanks to remilia_scarlet for sharing this

I realised a while ago that something wasn't quite right with me and I've always (as far as I can remember) had an 'ability' to feel completely alone, even within a room full of good friends. I finally booked a doctor's appointment and am struggling. I've never been the most social of people, yet have always had good friends - who've become more distant (physically) in recent years, which hasn't helped.

I have to say the medication has helped (sertraline) but only to a certain extent - I still have some very bad days (like the past couple). In my case it hasn't helped that I have a repeated back problem and that, due to my depression or the general english weather (especially recently with ice, snow and the bastard cold winds), I skipped a lot of exercise to help it. So now I've gone and got myself a cold, sneezed, tweaked my back and I've been unable to do anything but lay in bed, watch "The Tick" and brush undercoat/base things the last few days Still it could be worse, I could also look like Wayne Rooney

I too have thought of suicide, but never with any real plan or conviction - I guess I'm lucky in that I realise (in my case) it would be stupid, selfish and quite pathetic to not even attempt life again So I at least have some sliver of strength residing in my soul

For me it's the lack of joy or excitement that's the real bitch - and it's obtaining the motivation to begin, or usually, complete a project which I find most frustrating. It's horrible when you have absolutely no feelings whatsoever, it just makes you feel so cold and distant. It's true though that even something as simple as having a shave can make you feel a little better, after this post I'm looking forward to having a nice hot shower!

As for gamers and depression I don't know if there is a common link. I do know, in my case, that I like the 'alternate reality' of films, novels and games, be they war games, computer games, or even board games. To a certain extent 'the real world' is also a fiction written by the actions of humanity, so I find the irony/duality of fantasy and 'real life' interesting. I don't often play computer games now though (although if Diablo 3 was released by now I probably would do ). I will be getting a PS3 in a couple of months for about 3-4 weeks - with Skyrim, which'll be great as it's like going on holiday to a place with little to no concrete and idiots (or if I come across any I can just hack their knees from under their body and cave their skulls in ), where I can freely roam as I please, doing good and occassional evil to those who I deem deserve it!

Still I guess depression more commonly affects those people with a certain 'world view'? I can't imagine it affecting those who don't really think about life as much as those that spend any significant amount of time doing so - maybe I'm wrong

The worst thing though was searching the internet for help and advice. So many sites were just "See a doctor, believe in the power of medical science to help - but believe in Jesus more, only HE can truly SAVE YOUR SOUL (when you innevitably perish)" Yeah, thanks for that

Depression is an interesting subject matter for sure. Now I've acknowledged my own, I can appreciate it in others and actively learn about it/from it and threads like this can only help anyone suffering from it. If anything it may be, as of yet, the most interesting thing that's ever happened to me, and that is, although somewhat perversely, a comforting thought

you're welcome, I'm glad you found this.

Automatically Appended Next Post:

Bleak_Fantasy wrote:
Bro you gotta man the feth up. Their are staving kids in africa that know of nothing but hunger and aids. You have a pretty awesome. Most of the world is way worse off then you are.

you know what's wrong with that? people always say that there's starving kids in _____ or that people in ____ have it worse, as though you're not allowed to have problems because you're not impovershed, diseased or in a war-torn area.

**Nerivant**

Bleak_Fantasy wrote:
Bro you gotta man the feth up. Their are staving kids in africa that know of nothing but hunger and aids. You have a pretty awesome. Most of the world is way worse off then you are. Life isn't easy, some times you gotta grab life by the balls. I used to be like you too but guess what? I figured out that life aint easy,that if you want success and happiness you gotta put in work son.

I hated myself. I hated every aspect of my being so thoroughly that I wanted to do the world a favor and take myself out if it. The idea only people who think they have nothing to live for commit suicide is a lie. I had things to live for, but but I didn't think I deserved them. I was a blight on the world and invariably, whoever filled my spot would do a better job at whatever they turned their hands to.

Did that not make my mental state completely clear, or should I elaborate more? I hated myself for being well-off.

Rousing "carpe diem" speeches are the stuff of fiction. Everyone has different problems, and has to solve them in their own ways. It's why depression and other mental disorders are so hard to diagnose, treat, and understand.

**Ahtman**

Monster Rain wrote:Also, "buck up" or "thinking positively" can be therapeutic for a variety of psychiatric disorders. Google "mindfulness."

Trying to be more positive is always a good thing and is indeed useful in the process to recovering from depression. Acting as if that alone is enough, on the other hand, is not as useful, and can actually lead to making a person suffering depression worse becuase on top of all the other problems now they feel like they are failing at being more positive.

**Bleak_Fantasy**

Eat healthy,Exercise and get Sunlight and Fresh Air. That is the key to naturally producing better brain chemistry. Most people get depressed because they lack the above. Very few people have naturally unbalanced brain chemistry.

**Monster Rain**

Ahtman wrote:
Monster Rain wrote:Also, "buck up" or "thinking positively" can be therapeutic for a variety of psychiatric disorders. Google "mindfulness."

Trying to be more positive is always a good thing and is indeed useful in the process to recovering from depression. Acting as if that alone is enough, on the other hand, is not as useful, and can actually lead to making a person suffering depression worse becuase on top of all the other problems now they feel like they are failing at being more positive.

I'm not saying it is enough for everyone, just like I'd never say that any one treatment is perfect for everyone.

**Cortez667**

I find that, like others have posted, that just forcing myself to get up and get out of the house helps tremendously.

Thats why I'm glad for my local gaming group; we hold 40k tournaments once a month, and its my depressions kryptonite: I walk into the room and I'm greeted by a chorus of "Hey Mike!". A particular close gaming buddy and I usually go have lunch, and its just the all-round 'cure' for my depression.

My wife helps equally; so does working out, NOT drinking/using, taking my dog for a LONG walk, just get out of your house. I think thats been the most consistant thing.

You gotta stay moving.

**Do_I_Not_Like_That**

I'm not one for getting emotional or sentimental but I admire people for saying what they said on this site when you consider how stigmatised mental illness can be in society.

Two bits of advice for people - keep yourself busy (walking, painting miniatures is theraputic, odd jobs, shopping, doing crosswords, do something to occupy your mind.

and the best advice: JIGSAW PUZZLES. Seriously, do a 500 or 1000 word jigsaw puzzle. It'll pick you up.

**dogma**

Do_I_Not_Like_That wrote:I'm not one for getting emotional or sentimental but I admire people for saying what they said on this site when you consider how stigmatised mental illness can be in society.

I have always found that the "I'm just a puppet who can see the strings." analogy was helpful in that regard.

**Shrike325**

A lot of people confuse "being sad" with "being depressed." Maybe it's just semantics on my part. Maybe it's because of what I went through with long-term clinical depression that went undiagnosed until I was 23 (3 years ago). I just read and see and hear a bunch of stories of people saying they are depressed and, internally, go "that's not being depressed... you're just sad today."

*please note, I am not trying to insult anyone or their problems, as sometimes those "just sad today" people are worse day to day than I ever was and just don't show it. It's just how I feel from time to time.*

**Ronin-Sage**

I went through and am still managing depression. It was very severe in my high school days(I actually ended up having to go to an inpatient treatment center for about a month) and was the main reason I couldn't get through college.

I'm still having issues dealing with a very basic human aspect that I think a lot of people take for granted -- the will to live, that is the drive to go out and live life.

It's gotten more manageable now that I'm busy with a full-time job(having something to do certainly serves as a good deterrent against episodes of depression, in my case), but I still have trouble marshaling focus and even things I genuinely enjoy doing(web design, 40k -related stuff) I have trouble keeping up with because I just lose willpower.

That's where I am, just thought I'd share that.

**Samus_aran115**

I prevent depression by being stupid all the time and enjoying myself. Just ignoring my common sense and doing things spontaneously, finding genuine humour in everything, things like that.

Plus I realize that I could have it a lot worse. I'm very fortunate to be a middle class white male in america. The world is my oyster, and that itself is a blessing, I suppose.

**Luco**

Was diagnosed with clinical depression 6 years ago, but with held rather critical pieces of information from the docs, didn't trust them and wasn't brought there on my own will, so the medication really didn't help until I gave them the entire breadth of issues about a year ago. The medication is much more effective now.

**Johnny-Crass**

Year long relationship just ended this evening in not a very good way. Shook me up fairly bad, grabbed a paint brush and I have painted about 1000 points of empire in one night...

**Ma55ter_fett**

All I can say is I've never felt as bad about myself as some people in this thread seemed to have felt at one time or another, and hopefully I never will.

Reading through all these comments is a little unreal for me.

The thought of hurting/killing myself (with anything other than ice cream… love ice cream, also cake, and chocolate… I’m so fat

) is kind of an alien notion. I love me, hot showers in the morning, running my hands through my hair, drinking cold water, peeing after drinking lots of water, going for long walks in the rain, that kind of yellow green color the world takes on after a really hard rain.

Life’s can be a

sometimes, but she’s alright by me.

**Johnny-Crass**

Also I thought it would really cheer me up but it didn't. When you are depressed do not get a tarot reading as it just makes it worse. I have really lost the painting energy now and going to sleep or drinking beer until I sleep are looking like the only two options.

**Monster Rain**

Johnny-Crass wrote:Also I thought it would really cheer me up but it didn't. When you are depressed do not get a tarot reading as it just makes it worse.

I find that loling at carny tricks always brightens my mood significantly.

**daedalus**

Monster Rain wrote:
Johnny-Crass wrote:Also I thought it would really cheer me up but it didn't. When you are depressed do not get a tarot reading as it just makes it worse.

I find that loling at carny tricks always brightens my mood significantly.

I hit up wal-marts in the sketchy part of town at odd hours. Nothing like a trip across the river to Granite City to buy a candy bar from the meth addict with no teeth to make me feel badass about myself.