Do Video Games Calm You?

Kathy · #1 28-11-2007, 02:43 AM

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 · #2 28-11-2007, 02:49 AM

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 · #3 28-11-2007, 03:11 AM

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 · #4 28-11-2007, 04:49 AM

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 · #5 29-11-2007, 06:59 AM

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 · #6 09-12-2007, 03:06 PM

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 · #7 10-12-2007, 12:50 AM

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 · #8 10-12-2007, 02:07 AM

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 · #9 10-12-2007, 02:33 AM

Thanks for the game idea, Evie. :)

batgirl · #10 10-12-2007, 02:34 AM

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