Going through so much depression and this game is helping me immensely

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Originally Posted by DrWho2010

please seek out a real life therapist and get on medication. please do not use the game to run from your troubles.

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I agree with the OP and also agree with this.

I've been playing online games since the original Diablo, then Everquest, Asheron's Call, Anarchy Online, Star Wars Galaxies, Dark Age of Camelot, City of Heroes, WoW, Everquest2, Eve Online, Star Wars The Old Republic, The Secret World/Legends, and a host of others that either no longer exist (as do some of the games that I've listed) or weren't much fun.

I made a lot of friends in Diablo and Everquest and met a lot of them in real life (and even married one of them), but lost touch with them after WoW (except my husband, of course. We're still happily married ;))

I've also met a lot of jerks online who I thought were my friend, but turned out not to be the case. That can be really crushing unless you're very well cushioned by people you know in real life.

I made some good friends that I met in FF14, but have never met any of them in real life.

One of them passed away on Christmas Eve, and I'm still struggling with the fact that due to the pandemic and travel restrictions, I could not be a "real" friend to her, or even attend her funeral. We weren't playing FF14 at the time, but a few months ago I returned to FF14 and it really tore me up that the last in-game e-mail I had received was from her.

While online friends are better than no friends, be very wary of the limitations and the fact that some of them may be deceptive.

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Originally Posted by DrWho2010

please seek out a real life therapist and get on medication. please do not use the game to run from your troubles.

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I tried this and it only made me feel worse. I wouldn't touch those meds ever again

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Originally Posted by DrWho2010

please seek out a real life therapist and get on medication. please do not use the game to run from your troubles.

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Medicating depression causes lots of other problems so it should only be done if it's absolutely necessary.

Depression is a natural thing that can happen to everyone and if you can solve it by being with friends or playing games, then why not?

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Originally Posted by DrWho2010

please seek out a real life therapist and get on medication. please do not use the game to run from your troubles.

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Seeking therapy can be very difficult. Depending on where you live it can be very expensive and you can end up on a waiting list that lasts for several months and sometimes even longer. People do need to find ways to cope until they're in the position to be able to attend therapy.

Not all problems can be fixed by talking to a therapist. Some people have problems that just cannot be cured by talking to someone or taking medication. So again they need to find other ways to help them cope.

My disability has no cure and it keeps me at home at lot. Sure therapy would help me to cope with the mental toll but it's not going to change that I am often too unwell to leave my house and that I am so isolated as a result of that. No amount of professional mental help will change that. What does change that is the internet. I can still meet people, do things with them and have fun without endangering my health. Online gaming has helped me tremendously and has given me so much happiness that would otherwise be out of reach.

I know you mean well but frequently the solution isn't as simple as talk to someone and take some pills. It's also not nice when you say "hey I have depression and this game really helps!" and someone essentially responds with "you shouldn't use gaming to run from your problems" when you had not even said anything that could hint that you're replacing professional help with gaming.

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Originally Posted by DamianFatale

I'm going to be real. I am depressed, and not doing very well mentally irl. My communication skills aren't always the best, and I feel isolated even more during the pandemic.

Just being able to log in and instantly find a friend to run something with practically at any time of the day is helping.

This game is.. a life saver. Literally.

Have a good day. :)

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I hope the good luck continues, and I won't waste time with silly platatudes, but will just, yhaknow, quietly enjoy your joy and be there for yha.

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Originally Posted by DrWho2010

please seek out a real life therapist and get on medication. please do not use the game to run from your troubles.

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You are not wrong, and it certainly takes more than any game can provide to truly overcome such problems, but they do provide a sense of stability. That itself can work wonders, though it's no cure all.

Please do not use anecdotal evidence as actual evidence. Medication will not usually be effective for mild depression however and if you have to wait or cannot afford professional therapy there are free services available for people to talk to. For serious cases medication is very effective. A fellow gamer can be a shoulder to cry on, but they cannot help you in the big picture.

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Originally Posted by DrWho2010

Please do not use anecdotal evidence as actual evidence. Medication will not usually be effective for mild depression however and if you have to wait or cannot afford professional therapy there are free services available for people to talk to. For serious cases medication is very effective. A fellow gamer can be a shoulder to cry on, but they cannot help you in the big picture.

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Are you an actual doctor? Or are you a time traveling entity with a sense of adventure? Just curious. There's a lot of armchair "professionals" on the internet is why I'm asking.

If you’re mentally ill you’re not allowed to take solace or comfort in a game (or a myriad of hobbies, usually) and say so without at least one person (though usually many) swooping down to tell you to get medication and therapy.

Many people do both of those things and still have bad days, or periods of time. It’s also their choice whether they want either. Can we just let a person express being thankful for a hobby that helps him get through the tough times without immediately rushing to give them medical advice like they’re stupid or living full time in an escapist fantasy? Christ.

Have you considered getting the Omega emote?