Mental Health Gaming Coping Mechanisms: Blackfiwe

Well, with the new release of Animal Crossing, it's basically the only thing everyone has been talking about. I know, I'm not the only one that plays nostalgic video games like this as a coping mechanism for my mental health. I'm sure, I'm not the only one that has heard about the world health organization classifying video game addiction as a psychological disorder awhile back, but I don't care who it is- they're not changing my mind. I do not believe that playing video games increases my risk for other addictions. I do not feel like that study properly assessed people with disabilities that are forced to stay at home in isolation. I suffer from several mental and physical chronic illnesses that will never be cured. I do not have the stamina to go out and run around like other people my age do. My main form of exercise when I can manage it is a slow walk down the driveway.

It's my personal opinion at least in my case that playing video games is a symptom of my own mental illness and not a mental illness in itself. I didn't really have any gaming consoles growing up. But now that I'm an adult and I'm in charge of my own money I can afford them and enjoy being able to play them. My game playing times vary sometimes it's a couple hours a day and sometimes it's most of the day. It's better than lying in bed depressed with bad thoughts running through my head and keeping me paralyzed. But I have suffered my own battles with addiction, and therefore I know where my limits are. I wish that they would take more of these factors in consideration when they do case studies like this. Because just as much it can be a unhealthy coping mechanism it can also be a healthy coping mechanism. they say to exercise for your mental health but if you run for 12 hours straight you will run your body down.

All healthy coping mechanisms can be turned into a unhealthy coping mechanism if you abuse it. So my advice to other people that struggle from chronic mental and or physical illnesses is to find something that makes you happy but remember that ultimate happiness is found in yourself. Playing video games for 12 hours straight may be a nice distraction but it won't cure your mental health on its own. Try to mix it up every day so you can avoid burnout and continue your everyday interests. and just remember that although it may feel like it sometimes you are not alone