Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Now, I know this can be a sensitive subject among some, but I know that some people are more open about it than others, so I thought I'd just share what's on my mind and ask around Dakka to see what others think.
I suffer from severe depression and anxiety, I take my 'happy pills' and my 'loony pills' daily, and do try to live as normal a life as I can. Talking to some friends over the past few weeks made me realise something though, I don't know many people who play wargames, but the ones I do, all seem to have some form of mental complaint or another. Examples being my best friend who has Asperger's Syndrome, another friend who gets seasonal affected depression (The part timer I call him, but only ever in lightheartedness), and another who also suffers from quite bad anxiety. So here we have four young men who play with toy soldiers, and also all suffer from a mental disorder which can make day to day life quite difficult.
Whilst pondering this I remembered a conversation I had with my Auntie a few months ago. She's a teacher and runs a special club after school for Autistic children, and she was telling me about how a few of the children are into 40k. She was under the impression that it provided a way of socializing through the models, making interaction a little easier and helping with interacting with others. Now, as this is just a state school, none of the children have very severe Autism, but many do find socializing, even with eachother, quite difficult.
On the rare occasion that I do manage to get myself into the city center to go shopping, I always feel less anxious around the people in GW than I would in any other shop, I don't know if it's because it's a familiar place that I've been visiting since it opened, merely the setting, surrounded by things I can joy in, or just the way I notice that quite a few people who go in seem as nervous speaking out loud as I do, and some have all the social understanding of my Autistic friend.

This has all gotten me thinking, is there something about the hobbies we play that attracts those of us who have a mental complaint, or am I just seeing what I want to see? I'd love to hear other people's opinions on this, or even any personal experiences.

And, as a side note, I know we all like to joke around and have a giggle at eachother's expense every now and then, but I'd ask that any jokes surrounding such a delicate subject be kept to a minimal and non-personal level. Whilst I know I'm 'few a spanner short of a toolbox' as I put it, there are people who can take offense at such jokes, and this can be detrimental to the person in question. So, no crazy jokes, and if you must, aim them at me, I know I can laugh them off without getting upset. I'm trusting you guys to keep a civil head on here, as I think this could be quite an interesting subject, and I don't want it getting locked because someone slips up an uses the 'R' word or something.

I think that a lot of depressed people will try to find a relief from depression through a lot of things including, but not limited to music, art, outdoor activity, or wargaming. In my observations accumulated over a long life, anyway.

Of course, one must also take into account that kids who have interest in things other than sports and other such mainstream activities get abused and bullied quite terribly, quite often causing depression and anxiety in people where it wasn't present before.

Humanity: I think we're all a little crazy even if it doesn't have a "label". I think I'm pretty "normal", but then again, who am I to judge what is sane and "normal"?

Personally I suffer from bone idleness and lethargy (the working mans definition of depression) And I guess that retreating to table top gaming has been a way of coping, though I wouldn't have joined the dots unless I had been diagnosed.

Speaking to lots of fellow hobbyists over the years I have found that a fair few have health issues and a lot are also just socially awkward or have other problems with family or friends. I can't say that these are the rule but I would love a properly validated study to be made.

Everyone on this forum except me is utterly fething mad.

In fact sometimes I wonder if they're all robots and I'm actually the only real person alive on the earth...

 MeanGreenStompa wrote:
Everyone on this forum except me is utterly fething mad.

In fact sometimes I wonder if they're all robots and I'm actually the only real person alive on the earth...

You know too much, measures must be taken...

I have lived with my depression for the past decade or so.I find that building / painting / playing and chatting to my friends at my flgc helps me a lot.

 MeanGreenStompa wrote:
Everyone on this forum except me is utterly fething mad.

In fact sometimes I wonder if they're all robots and I'm actually the only real person alive on the earth...

You're a raving leftie! by definition nutty as a nut loaf.!

 Mr. Burning wrote:
Personally I suffer from bone idleness and lethargy (the working mans definition of depression) And I guess that retreating to table top gaming has been a way of coping, though I wouldn't have joined the dots unless I had been diagnosed.

Speaking to lots of fellow hobbyists over the years I have found that a fair few have health issues and a lot are also just socially awkward or have other problems with family or friends. I can't say that these are the rule but I would love a properly validated study to be made.

The only thing about studies into the mental health of groups of people, is that individuals tend to be quite closed about the subject, and it's still seen as taboo with most people, so it's hard to get solid results. Although I do agree with you, it would be a fascinating study, and one I'd very much like to read.

Pedro Kantor wrote:
I have lived with my depression for the past decade or so.I find that building / painting / playing and chatting to my friends at my flgc helps me a lot.

Pretty much this^^.

This comes to mind right now:



I have severe fits of depression from time to time. I had some counselling done about five years ago, and she (the therapist) wanted me to get on medication, however, I've been managing things my own way since. I've never really had major issues socializing, and have friends inside and outside of the wargaming community, a few of whom also suffer from depression.

I do not necessarily think that my pull to 40k and my depression are causal.

 shingouki wrote:

Pedro Kantor wrote:
I have lived with my depression for the past decade or so.I find that building / painting / playing and chatting to my friends at my flgc helps me a lot.

Pretty much this^^.

Yup. It's a great coping mechanism and depressed people, I don't think are drawn to wargaming any more than to any other kind of relief, such as painting, music, poetry, etc. These are all far more healthy than turning to alcohol, drugs, cutting or items along those lines.

I'm fine.
I was tested for a few things but apart from what might be considered very slight ADHD I'm fine.

I get easily distracted or get depressed sometimes but that's about it, other than that I'm alright.

I think if you had another group of close friends who were willing to talk about the issue of mental health you'd find a similar number of individuals with issues

(although the balance of issues may differ, wargaming will be attractive to the low end apbergers/autistic folk who enjoy playing with numbers)

most studies pull up about 20-30% of the population will suffer from mental health issues at some point, eg

http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/help-information/mental-health-statistics/

I'm bipolar manic depressive. I also get worse in october. When my wife left me, I mostly painted and had less than 1500 points. 40k was a comfort. It took many friends and something to look forward to (playing on wensdays). I still have my swings, but i have a stress free focus.

I was considered autistic as a child (Yeah, I dunno how that goes away but according to the shrinks it did) and I've had ADD for awhile. As for the topic at hand, I think it takes a special kind of crazy to not only dole out 60 dollars for a piece of plastic the size of a rat but also argue about them over the internet. I also dress up as a soldier from WW2 and pop blanks at other, similarly dressed, people but that's another barrel of insanity to discuss.

We here at Dakka Dakka may be petty, we may be neurotic, and we may be confrontational. Hell, we may be even very well be the most crazy people on earth. You know what? I wouldn't have it any other way.

Occasional anxiety and depression, definite ADD and family has a history of bipolar. Send me to the glue factory, I'm D-U-N.

I suffer from mild CPTSD and about half my gaming group suffer from a mix of mental health problems (that admit it). I think it is a combination of bullying and our hobby draws in "artistic" people, who are more likely to suffer from mental health problems.

I agree though, you have to be crazy to pay this much for little bits of plastic as an adult

I'm currently going through 1 on 1 therapy for depression.

Surprisingly enough, wargaming isn't helping (it's probably doing the opposite). I came to it because my brother used to do it.

 Mr. Burning wrote:

 MeanGreenStompa wrote:
Everyone on this forum except me is utterly fething mad.

In fact sometimes I wonder if they're all robots and I'm actually the only real person alive on the earth...

You're a raving leftie! by definition nutty as a nut loaf.!

Anyone who has witnessed the entire Western world brought all but to ruin by the rich elite and their gambling, then watched them walk away with golden pensions and platinum parachutes, then watched congress over here and Cameron over there fight to ensure tax breaks for the super rich whilst millions continue to lose their jobs, and still insists on voting for and supporting the right wing, they are the ones with a mental issue. It's called Stockholm Syndrome...

We have drifted so far to the right in the last 30 years that I'm considered a leftie, when I always considered myself a centrist.

 MeanGreenStompa wrote:

 Mr. Burning wrote:

 MeanGreenStompa wrote:
Everyone on this forum except me is utterly fething mad.

In fact sometimes I wonder if they're all robots and I'm actually the only real person alive on the earth...

You're a raving leftie! by definition nutty as a nut loaf.!

Anyone who has witnessed the entire Western world brought all but to ruin by the rich elite and their gambling, then watched them walk away with golden pensions and platinum parachutes, then watched congress over here and Cameron over there fight to ensure tax breaks for the super rich whilst millions continue to lose their jobs, and still insists on voting for and supporting the right wing, they are the ones with a mental issue. It's called Stockholm Syndrome...

We have drifted so far to the right in the last 30 years that I'm considered a leftie, when I always considered myself a centrist.

This is why I want to learn Norwegian or Swedish.

I've been previously diagnosed with clinical depression (induced) and am currently being diagnosed and promptly ignored for what the VA is calling either an "Adjustment Disorder" or "Mood Disorder" depending on the time of day it seems.

I've read the top so far, and I'm working on finishing it.

So far, is this really something you want to be announcing to everyone?

 Inquisitor Ehrenstein wrote:
I've read the top so far, and I'm working on finishing it.

So far, is this really something you want to be announcing to everyone?

Why not? It's anonymous anyways.

It's not actually anonymous. The words are tied to pseudonyms, and if someone were to link you with your pseudonym then you may as well be using your real name. Well, not quite that openly, but it wouldn't be too much of a barrier to a dedicated party.

 Inquisitor Ehrenstein wrote:
I've read the top so far, and I'm working on finishing it.

So far, is this really something you want to be announcing to everyone?

You make it sound like it's something to be ashamed of, when, judging by most of the replies on this thread, it quite obviously isn't.

I used to have severe depression and playing 40k was an awesome outlet. Imagining my little dudes running up and jacking up their little dudes was sort of a release for the negativity I had in my headed and always made me feel better. I agree that it can be a very expressive thing, and healthy, non-violent expression is always good in my book

 Inquisitor Ehrenstein wrote:
I've read the top so far, and I'm working on finishing it.

So far, is this really something you want to be announcing to everyone?

I'm diagnosed as a sociopath.

*waits*

*nothing happens*

If more of "us" didn't try to hide it, it wouldn't have to be the elephant in the room.

I use war gaming as a way to branch out. I have depression and anxiety and war gaming has really helped me make a ton of friends. A friend of mine argues that everyone who plays warhammer has mental disability but he's a dick. I don't think it really matters in the end.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Vulcan wrote:
Of course, one must also take into account that kids who have interest in things other than sports and other such mainstream activities get abused and bullied quite terribly, quite often causing depression and anxiety in people where it wasn't present before.

This is so depressingly true. It makes me sad that this is probably how my depression and anxiety was started but I have managed to make friends who are the same and enjoy my life.