Do Video Games Calm You?

[Kathy]

I am wondering how many sufferers relax by playing video games. My sufferer certainly does, and we can always tell when she is feeling worse as she spends longer periods of time at her game console. She seems to feel much better for having played, we have learned to accept it as a coping mechanism and not a "waste of time". I am curious if this is common amongst PTSD sufferers.

[becvan]

Both my son and I play computer and video games. The worse our symptoms, the longer we play. It's very relaxing and helps focus off of how bad we are at that time. I don't consider it a waste of time, at all.

bec

[Kathy]

Thank you Bec. Realizing that video games are not a waste of time was a very important learning curve for Jim and myself. Video games are considered such a waste of time by the general public, a vice almost, however we have certainly found that the opposite is true.

[batgirl]

I love my video games! I'm such a fanatic about them. They make me feel so much better, especially when I've had a bad day.

[kers]

I'm not a big gamer, but I like to play Solitaire, Tetris, or MahJong in silence when I'm having a tough time. It lets me focus on a task and kind of recover a bit.

[grace5555]

Coping mechanism for sure - sometimes it is all that keeps me from doing something dangerous. THe voices and flashbacks sometimes are less intrusive if i can just manage to focus on a game.

[hodge]

I voted "yes, regularly," but actually, it depends on the game. My little handheld backgammon game usually relaxes me and I play it regularly, when I am overwhelmed and need to "come down" or to help me wind down for sleep. I play other games online, but I do this generally to help exercise my brain, to practice focus and strategy. These can get me feeling more anxious, especially the ones with time limits, etc., so I play them less often.

[batgirl]

Hodge, you should look into getting the game "Animal Crossing". It's kind of hard to find for Gamecube now, I don't think they're making it anymore. But if you bought a Nintendo DS, you can get the game for that system. Nintendo DS is a hand held system in case you're wondering. A used system costs about 80 bucks (new about 130 I believe), and the game is about 30 bucks. Anyways, I play tons of games, but I understand what you mean about time limits and so on, that freaks me out sometimes. Animal Crossing is great for that though, it is a very slow game, very relaxing. I always play it when I'm stressed. It's similar to the Sims, if you've ever played that, but much cuter. :) You work in a shop, you talk to animals in your village, write letters, collect fossils and insects, go fishing... you even get to celebrate your birthday and other holidays; it plays in real time. It's one of my most favourite games. Very, very relaxing and EASY!

[hodge]

Thanks for the game idea, Evie. :)

[batgirl]

I want to play it now actually haha, I got myself all pumped describing it to you! ;)

[just tina]

The only video game I ever played was Mutually Assured Destruction. And it wasn't a game. It was five years after I got out of the military before I would even touch a computer, and that was a Mac (that didn't look anything like an IBM).

[indigo~in~0z]

embarassingly so... when i do get over the guilt...

i also have played puter games when having conversation with husband as it helps beat out the busyness of my brain and focus on what i need to hear or say.. TRuE

[cypher]

I occasionally play video games. It does help me relax and take things off my mind. Usually I'll play untill I'm tired of it, or I cant figure out how to solve some type of problem/riddell or cant find something I need to move on in the game.

Yeah, I have a gamecube too batgirl and I cant find any games for it now. Their nowhere... well ebay probally. The funny thing is, I still see the Gamecube itself being sold when theres no games to play on it. (??) But I think the nintendo ds is compatable with the gamecube, so if you have a gcube with no/limited games, buy the ds w/ some games and hook it up. Theres more games for the ds so you just hook it up and can play on the tv. or something like that.

[Firenze]

It's definitely a good coping mechanism. It seems to switch off certain parts of my mind and keep me occupied to a level that is just distracting enough without being tiring.

[moog]

I play them once in a while and I find them relaxing.

It is actually a very interesting subject, I read about a study and project being done a few years ago providing Virtual Reality Therapy for Iraq Veterans. And when I was looking for the article to post here, I found another one on using similar science for first responders from New York on Sept. 11, 2001.

Here are the articles, just add a W to the start of the link.

Virtual Reality Therapy for Combat Stress
ww.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4806921

APA: Virtual Reality PTSD Therapy Shows Promise in Iraq Veterans
ww.medpagetoday.com/MeetingCoverage/APA/tb/9388

9/11 PTSD Therapy
ww.sciencentral.com/articles/view.php3?type=article&article_id=218392349

[Lucky Laser]

Video games definitely calm me down. Fighting games can be an appropriate way to release some pent up stress and role-playing games can be a nice little break from reality. Strategy games or puzzle games are also good to keep my brain focused on something if I need that.

[morgan]

I don't currently play video games but, after reading some of these posts, I think I'll start. Any recommendations as to what to buy that has the most variety of games? Play station or something?

[moog]

I don't currently play video games but, after reading some of these posts, I think I'll start. Any recommendations as to what to buy that has the most variety of games? Play station or something?

I actually think for someone that doesn't currently play video games (no current preference) the Nintendo Wii would be a great choice. It provides choices for physical interactivity, which is a great bonus as a potential "treatment".

[cactus_jack]

Yeah, sometimes it is comforting. Something about how much I hate nazis, and sometimes nothing can really make me feel better than going to "god mode" on a WW2 wargame and killing every Nazi there. I'll just stand there, have unlimited life, unlimited ammo, and....it has been very relaxing. Unique in itself, I think.