I've used tons of starcraft to get through a depression. My psychiatrist even encouraged me to play.

As you said it occupies the brain (=less depressive thoughts in my situation) plus it can give some extraordinary chemical reactions - and some really great feelings of success.

The only things my psychiatrist said were "bad" about playing SC was:
- The amount of time I did it (easilly 6-10 hours/day with playing/watch streams)
- The lack of physical activity.

ALPINA

3791 Posts

November 07 2011 18:54 GMT

#45

I don't think so. SC2 generates anger and stress for me and after lost game i am nervous which is not heathy.

Noxie

United States2227 Posts

November 07 2011 18:57 GMT

#46

I use Star2 to escape from everything. It acts like its own world. I usually don't mix the too as far as anger goes.. but I am usually only frustrated with myself if I am to lose.

kazie

258 Posts

November 07 2011 18:58 GMT

#47

actually starcraft 2 is the only stressful thing in my life... i would probably be a kinder person if sc2 didnt generate so much hate in me LOL
too bad it's still addicting

AnachronisticAnarchy

United States2957 Posts

November 07 2011 19:01 GMT

#48

Starcraft 2 doesn't release anger, it causes it! It's perhaps the sole thing in my life than can earn more than a single raised eyebrow in terms of emotional reaction.

ishyishy

United States826 Posts

November 07 2011 20:07 GMT

#49

What your father doesnt understand is that the source of the "anger" is sc2 itself. Sc2 has actually dampened my confidence even more than before I started playing it. Now I am depressed and dont think I'll ever have any skills with gaming in general.

itts

United States20 Posts

November 07 2011 20:13 GMT

#50

I am in law school and use Starcraft as a study break outlet. I will study for a few hours or complete a specific amount of assignments, then allow myself to play an hour of Starcraft. Most of the time it is the motivation of being able to play Starcraft that gets me through getting my assignments done.

Gamegene

United States8308 Posts

November 07 2011 20:17 GMT

#51

It is what it is: a hobby.

Whether it's a good hobby or not for you is another thing.

RoyalCheese

Czech Republic745 Posts

November 07 2011 20:19 GMT

#52

On November 08 2011 02:33 sc2holar wrote:

Show nested quote +

the idea is that you, during your childhood/life build up an amount of repressed anger that constantly affects your life and personality, but because it is REPRESSED you will not feel angry. It is impossible to feel this anger, since it has been stuffed away deep inside of your subconscious. It can, however, act out in other ways and cause personality disorders, obsessions and other forms of destructive behaviour.

This to me sounds very strange and it feels like something you can't prove. But i guess thats because i know very little about the topic and because i like to think in terms of logotherapy rather than psychotherapy ... anyway, I don't feel like i release anything. But i have no idea how to prove or distinguish generating and releasing rage.

blizzind

United States642 Posts

November 07 2011 20:19 GMT

#53

should probably figure out why you even have repressed anger

BlazeTSR

United States218 Posts

November 07 2011 20:21 GMT

#54

Gaming does help those escape and come to relax, but far too often alot of people use it as the worst kind of escape. They don't learn from the problems they have but choose to ignore them and focus on the game they like. Totally not saying that gaming is a bad thing, or that it isnt a good stress relief. Only that those who choose to play a game need to manage their time. Become masters of time management and getting through what life has to offer.

Chamby

United States32 Posts

November 07 2011 20:21 GMT

#55

I think that SC2 is a great outlet for stress. Whenever I play I forget about everything else going on in my life and it really helps me relax. I think that is a big part of the reason I play the game.

dAPhREAk

Nauru12397 Posts

November 07 2011 20:23 GMT

#56

On November 08 2011 03:34 sc2holar wrote:

Show nested quote +

a hobby can be a vital part of therapy. there is no separation here, they usualy go hand in hand.

most shrinks and therapists strongly encourage their patients to find and cultivate hobbies as a way to relieve stress and anxiety.

well, i dont disagree with what you are saying. if you are upset about something and/or have stress, you turn to stress-relieving activities (e.g., activities you enjoy) to relieve that stress and calm down. however, i consider therapy to be something that fixes a problem. hobbies don't fix problems, they alleviate the symptoms of problems. for example, if you have anger management issues, playing sc2 and yelling at some newbs is not going to fix that problem, but its going to make you feel better; or if you have a stressful work life, playing games will alleviate the symptoms but not teach you coping mechanisms to deal with your stressful life.

sc2 is a hobboy, and like so many other hobbies, it is going to help you alleviate stress and anxiety in your life. at the end of the day though, you have to go right back to those stressful and anxious activities (e.g., work and school) and sc2 isn't going to help insure that you don't get stressed out or anxious again. so, yes, sc2 is a great hobby and helpful with alleviating symptoms, but is not therapy to fix the underlying problems.

Gamegene

United States8308 Posts

November 07 2011 20:23 GMT

#57

On November 08 2011 05:07 ishyishy wrote:
What your father doesnt understand is that the source of the "anger" is sc2 itself. Sc2 has actually dampened my confidence even more than before I started playing it. Now I am depressed and dont think I'll ever have any skills with gaming in general.

That's not SC2's fault.

Gotta remember it's just a game, despite how much we worship it and praise the highly skilled.

Kenen

Norway17 Posts

November 07 2011 20:26 GMT

#58

I think your right, but it depends on the game. I began playing MW2 and began raging so much, not only on the game but real life also. When i quitted, i calm more down, but still some rage. But the thing with mw2 is that you dont get the satifaction for winning, because you got like 6 allies winning with you. But sc2, you win by yourself! You lose, yes, some rage, but if you lose 5 games then win 1, you get so satified.

But im teenager, so can be puberity, but i believe sc2 helps you as a person, on many points! So long you dont loose your real life, like, no friends/air etc.

Good thread and topic!!

TheDougler

Canada8306 Posts

November 07 2011 20:26 GMT

#59

On November 08 2011 02:24 halvorg wrote:
Man must be so strange to have a shrink dad, your conversation really went that way?

Son, are you ready to come sit with us and eat? It is of my opinion that you will enjoy it.

Father, could you change the channel?
Is there something in this scene depicting copulation between man and wife that you find uncomfortable to watch with me? Son, you can always talk to me

OT: I've no idea about 2. But yeah it clears my mind. I sometimes load up an audibook and play sc2 without ingame sound while listening, shuts me off completely.

You laugh but that's pretty close to the reality in my household, with my mom at least. Actually, that's shockingly close to the conversation that went down when we rented "middle men" with Luke Wilson not knowing it was about the porn industry.