Video Gaming: Not Always Isolating
Gaming has always been a big part of my life. Since I was a kid I've been playing games with others whether it was 1-1 or in a big group on individual devices. I would play with my uncle on his SNES and my mom and I would play Pokemon Red&Blue and various Zelda games together on our Game Boys. My sister I introduced to the N64 and the PS1. Video games have always been a way for me to connect with kids on the playground and, with the advent of the Internet, people across the world. Through Kingdom Hearts I bonded with the girl who became the love of my life who I married and now we anxiously await the release of the last game together. There was a period of time after I moved away from home that myself, my mother, and my grandmother, all played Runescape together until my grandmother's health declined.
I hear many counselors talk about how video games are isolating and discourage interaction. How they encourage depression by keeping people locked up in a little corner by themselves while the world plays on without them. For some people, this may be true. But it not's true for all of us.
My family, for all their rights, was psychologically abusive. There were days that without video games to disappear in, I wouldn't have been able to escape the screaming, the self-hatred, the bullying. I have been through rough years of therapy and medication to find the right fixes to repair the damage they did to me from a young age.
Modern gaming actually emphasizes togetherness in gaming. Nintendo thrives off bringing players and families together. Steam allows players and friends to connect and share achievements with friends and family who play the same titles.
This hobby is one I struggle with in my depression because it keeps me from gaming, not because it isolates me away from the world.
I can't be the only one out there helped by video games with their mental illness! Share your stories!
Without repeating what has already been mentioned countless times in this thread, I'd like to talk about my personal experiences with gaming and such.
To me, it's one of the most amazing feelings to know that I have loving and caring friends (IRL, mind you) who play the same games as I do on a semi-regular basis. You're always off to a great start when you realize that you're not alone. It's also very amusing to hear angry Russians raging in voice chat all the time; makes you realize that you have standards.
It's also been helping me break down my barrier of social awkwardness. Don't get me wrong, I can socialize, it's just a lot more difficult for me when I meet up with total strangers. Since you also have to connect with total strangers in one way or another in multiplayer video games, it helps tackle my inner mismanagement a little bit more every time I play (which is also a great feeling to have).
Who knew that video games could be so versatile?
I really relate to this story because gaming has also been a way to cope and stay connected, and in the same way some people unwind with games, others enjoy a bit of excitement through online entertainment like krikya bet which brings together casino games, slots, sports bets and competitive odds in one place, making it easy to relax after a long day and aim for a possible win. I think the key point you make about connection is important, whether it’s multiplayer games, shared achievements, or even discussing strategies and bonuses with friends, these experiences prove that gaming and betting don’t have to be isolating at all when approached in a healthy way.
@astuteScorpius is right. People often discourge as if it were a bad thing. But honestly it isn't true for everyone.
I watched my brother and sister play sega when it first came. Besides cardboard games, I'd see How happy they would be with this as well and bond more by playing amongst themselves. They'd fight ofcourse over who won and cheated but that helped them create these memories that they still cherish today. I joined in later and started playing the Gameboy Color that I got when I was 7. Just like with toys, Gaming would also take me into a world of my own, where I could unleash my own imagination and feel thrilled everytime I achieved a newer level. Mario, Snoopy, Zelda, Mappy, Pacman, Kingkong were some of the games I played as a child and grew up playing games like Pokemon, Dual Masters, Tekken. And then when I got older I played games Like Call of Duty, Grand Theft Auto, Sims, God Father. I mean some contain violence and inapropriate images but I always skipped it and never paid attention to because I don't let these things affect my personality or behaviour. I have not inherited any aggressive or neagtive behaviour from video gaming. In fact, when I am stressed out or need to clear my head, apart from gym, swimming, drumming, I still continue to find joy in video gaming and it relaxes me. It helpes me remain distracted and reduce my tensions for the time being. We interact with more people, talk to them, enjoy the team work, be more creative. The isolation isn't a bad thing. It's just how we percieve it with a positive atitude. :)
I love how this thread addresses what is often said about playing videogames. It doesn't feel isolating for me because it helped me connect with others with the same interests. Playing videogames allowed me to create a bond with my current friend group.
I used to play Guild Wars while my best friend played WoW years ago. I played Pokemon and Zelda in middle school, I remember Spyro and never had it. Guild Wars is like a second home to me though. I've been playing again lately and it's incredibly therapeutic.
Have you seen Jane McGonigal's TEDTalk about it? She was talking about WoW, but still.
There's something about developing and exploring that world, and developing my skills and learning to apply them meditatively.. I still get frustrated when I die but that's just because, well, it sucks lol. I play the original, not GW2. Ew.
I really miss playing the Lego games. They're very comforting and also left me feeling accomplished and proud of myself. I got to 67% of LOTR unlocked before my ex had to get rid of the xbox