On May 10 2013 00:47 Lauriel wrote: Also, for those mentioning the screaming or fits of rage, the screaming doesn't actually last terribly long. It's the staying angry that lasts for a good while. And I'm certain that I'm not schizophrenic, nor do I need medication. The problem is mindset and perspective - I'm virtually certain.
Neither us nor you have the expertise or perspective to make that judgment. You are certainly not capable of keeping an objective perspective in this regard, no one is. That's why you should see someone. You're describing very serious symptoms that are not common among people playing video games and sound potentially harmful. Saying "you know yourself and it's just about mindset" is an absolute cop out. You're not in the correct position to make that judgment. Neither are we. A professional might be.
This goes way further than just some anger after losing, you really should consider getting professional help, an internet forum is not the place to deal with such serious issues!
And for example:
have no interest in talking to a psychiatrist about gaming rage that they probably don't understand to begin with.
I really doubt it matter if your anger issues come from gaming or from something else. SC2 is just the catalyst for you, but it isn't the problem.
You might not want profesional help now, but I am afraid if you do want it it is too late. You say you start speeding when you got your issues, and with your other description I am guessing you will also drive very aggressive. So my first advice would be: DONT DRIVE IN SUCH A STATE. Next advice is that if you wait with getting real help until after you kill someone by effectively driving intoxicated you are too late.
And since you are a student, doesn't about every university have people where you can go to with mental issues? Granted generally meant for more study related issues, but not always, and it might be a cheap/free starting location to get help.
The people saying he needs to grow up are idiots. Of course he needs to develop a better attitude, but HOW?
Quitting the game is one way, but it's not really solving the root of the problem, now is it?
I personally think the person has to look into themselves and find out what exactly causes the anger. What's the thought process, what are the chain of feelings that you feel? On a basic level it would be the feeling of helplessness. Why do you feel helpless? Why do you feel anger? For example many people get mad because they think that they are the better player by default. Aka "I'm in Gold, but I'm actually at Diamond level I just haven't been promoted yet/haven't been trying to win too much. Gold players suck, I'm not actually one of them". Proceeds to get beaten by a Gold player. Explodes in rage ("He should have lost, I'm better, hooowwww?!"). Also similar to blaming races. "[Insert race] is OP! I would be beating these noobs if only they didn't have access to this overpowered race! Aaarrghh!" That's one example of the possible thought process behind the rage.
no game is worth danger to yourself or the people you love. I sometimes get the same way, I dont really have a good way to treat the "symptoms" if you want to call them that.. I just try to stay away from people until I cool off. The best advice I can give you is to prepare beforehand. Im the most competative person I know, and I dont ever want to stop competing, but at the same time I have to acknowledge that I rage really fucking hard sometimes, and thats just how I am. I try to only play when I am alone and I am free to throw whatever fit I have to without putting anything/anybody in harms way. I try to prepare for rage beforehand, I recommend you do the same. If its really that bad where even thats not enough, it might be time to give it up. and to all the people who are saying "grow up"-- get out of the fucking thread and shut up
Try to make friends in the game, and just practice with them instead of laddering. I too become very upset (albeit not quite as much as you) and I've found that just playing with friends makes the game better.
Therapy is definitely helpful, sure they may not be experienced with sc2, but I assure you there are professionals that have experience with a. addiction and b. gambling in general. I find the emotional side of sc2 very similar to gambling as its high risk high reward when it comes to happiness (that euphoric "I just won" feeling), and its an addiction to achieving that happiness and the hampering of that which causes the anger. Most assuredly a professional can help you deal with it.
Leave your ego out of the game man. Take a step back and be proud and grateful for all you've accomplished. SC2 is NOT something you will ever be good at without losing at least half your games for a long loooooooong time. Accept it, and realize losing an sc game is not a comment on how smart you are, but just that you haven't practiced enough at that point.
Being a perfectionist may make you good at a lot of things, but trust me when I say it can make you miserable if taken too far. You're only human, just like everyone else.
On May 09 2013 08:55 Whatson wrote: What makes you rage like this? Is it because you find some strategy to be really stupid, do you feel like you outplayed your opponent but still lost, or are you more frustrated by your own mistakes?
EDIT: Or are you just made whenever you lose, regardless of the reason?
what this guy said..
If your live is as perfect as you say, and the only time you really get rage like this, then i suggest stop playing sc2
OR, you can do this. Play with a friend, if anyone of yours play sc2 ,and are better than you. tell them about this if they dont know, and then practice vs them only, and PREFERABLE if they are better than you and stomp you every game. and after the game,watch replays and let him tell you what you did right and wrong, this i think could help your anger-management if someone close to you defeats you and yeah.. help you out, if you see where i am going?
anger problem is nothing to play with... just recently my best ,and only friend had some serious problems.. long story short: he's been in forced care from oktober last year and hes FINALLY done in august this year..so yeah.. anger problems.. sick stuff.. good luck !
On May 10 2013 04:04 Aveng3r wrote: no game is worth danger to yourself or the people you love. I sometimes get the same way, I dont really have a good way to treat the "symptoms" if you want to call them that.. I just try to stay away from people until I cool off. The best advice I can give you is to prepare beforehand. Im the most competative person I know, and I dont ever want to stop competing, but at the same time I have to acknowledge that I rage really fucking hard sometimes, and thats just how I am. I try to only play when I am alone and I am free to throw whatever fit I have to without putting anything/anybody in harms way. I try to prepare for rage beforehand, I recommend you do the same. If its really that bad where even thats not enough, it might be time to give it up. and to all the people who are saying "grow up"-- get out of the fucking thread and shut up
Fuck, this guy gets it. This is not an easy problem to solve. I agree entirely. Either prepare for it beforehand, or give up playing Starcraft 2. It sucks to have to admit that you won't be masters or whatever rank it is you wanted to be, but it's better than getting mad. This shit will ruin your life. It will start seeping into other parts eventually, and will crush you.
I am all for giving it up. I've been doing that lately, and I feel like a weight was lifted from my chest. Not wanting to play SC2 has probably the best thing I've done to calm my general anxiety I've been having lately.
On May 09 2013 08:55 Whatson wrote: What makes you rage like this? Is it because you find some strategy to be really stupid, do you feel like you outplayed your opponent but still lost, or are you more frustrated by your own mistakes?
EDIT: Or are you just made whenever you lose, regardless of the reason?
It depends. Losing several games in a row and often times to cheeses or strategies that prevent me from practicing what I want can set it off. That's the biggest thing.
That's interesting. Is it possible that you have expectations on what should happen in the game, and you are frustrated when it does not happen ?
For example, wanting to play macro when you opponent all-ins ?
I can relate to that. Theses days I want to practice defending against terran drops. However I feel like I'm not improving when I don't practice many games in a row vs terran, and I'm not interested when I play the 2 other races. One way to help with this was to find a terran practice partner.
Sc2 is definitly a game where you have to analyse the situation and adapt to it. It makes me mad when I feel I played dumb. (ie: I had hints my opponent was doing something, and did not react appropriately / enough )
Edit: Nice idea ! If you feel that's the case, you could choose an early game agressive build that you do every game. It will help you take the lead and control the game. Just do a 2 rax / 4 gate / 14 pool and repeat it, whatever the result is. Personnally, when I learned to 4 gate, I felt I accepted way better the outcome of the game if I executed it well and at least tried something.
Tl:DR : Do a rush and stick to it whatever happens. Do it many, many games in a row. Might help you accept the outcome of the games.
I empathize with your predicament Lauriel and although it wasn't as severe with me, I used to get angry after losing a number of games in a row (although this is with LoL, haven't worked my way into the SC2 ladder yet) as well. Now I can honestly say I don't rage at losing anymore, I may still get discouraged at times or not feel like playing for the rest of the day but I no longer get angry. While I am not educated in psychology to really help I can only tell you what worked for me, which may not be much because one day I just stopped caring about losing. To elaborate I got placed in Bronze 3 for LoL and after 70 games I had gone up to Bronze 2 and then right down to Bronze 4 but managed to crawl my way back up to Bronze 3 when I hit my 71st (ish) game. Now I play most of my games on unranked with friends (about 80% of my unranked game are with friends on Mumble) and I used to get so angry when we would lose, which would in turn cast a negative shroud over the chat room and that just sucks the fun right out of it. It was playing ranked in solo queue that caused me to first just stop caring about my performance and I got quite robotic, playing for the sake of playing with no real enjoyment. What turned it around for me was one day there were six of us online so we just decided to do ARAMs against each other (which we usually avoided doing because it usually involved one team steamrolling the other) until somebody left and we could play 5-man games. Something odd happened though, it was a close match with a lot of chatter and smack talk that came down to the wire and even though my team lost that game, something clicked inside telling me "this is why you started playing LoL and this is what you love about it". After that everything just stopped bugging me about the game, I focus on what I did wrong if I lose so I can improve. I apologize for not making much sense but I guess what to take away from all of this is to find the reason that you started playing this game you love and remember that, once I did that I was able to enjoy the game again, I wish you luck in your journey sir.
Couple of points... maybe scientific maybe not... no time to do hardcore research, but I feel there is a lot of truth in this:
1. When you get really pissed off... logical parts of your brain start to shut down. I believe I have read (double check this) the higher the testosterone and/or if it affects your personality more, the more this happens. I would assume it's a combo of testosterone and adrenaline. Biologically this made sense in the past... our ancient ancestors maybe had to fight off a lion to live or beat up a caveman who was moving in on their woman.
2. People that are seriously competitive and serious personalities can get pissed off like crazy from losing at Starcraft. It happens, it's worse for some people than others.
Recommendations... consider using your energy and hormones in a productive way. Exercise heavily ... try before you play the game or after you lose, do 50 pushups or something to burn off the aggravation. Have some nearby things that you don't mind breaking, and break them. Basically you need to plan around getting pissed off before you get pissed off, because at that moment it is too late.
Consider the people around you before you get too mad. You don't want to scare off someone because you are raging.
Play unranked. It is much easier to tell yourself it's practice and doesn't matter if it is unranked.
Play random unranked. And DO NOT only play for long macro games. Learn and try every style out there, especially any that annoy you. In your unranked play, get demoted so you can mess around and not have to play seriously. It's fine, playing random at a lower level is fair, right?
Hope that helps a little. Main thing is, use your brain before you get pissed off so you don't do stupid shit after it is too late. Plan beforehand to NOT drive after a gaming session. Plan beforehand to break something other than your nerves, etc.
On May 09 2013 19:12 ImperialFist wrote: Since you say you don't know yourself when you get that mad, it could be some kind of schizophrenic disorder unlocking. You should meet up with a psychiatrist.
I'm not an expert but I dont believe schizophrenia is associated with rage attacks...
I've the same issue but I unleash my rage through bming my opponent very hard and then I feel very bad about it and when I say I won't bm again it just happens, it's like adrenaline coming when I'm losing a game it's so annoying.
First of all perhaps you should evaluate whether you think playing this game is something you still enjoy doing.
If somehow its so worthwhile that you'll risk endangering other aspects of your life with your rage, I recommend you speak to a professional therapist or psychiatrist. Perhaps go to an anger management course. I really feel like you should be better able to handle your emotions at this age, if you can't it might be an indicator that you have some serious issues.
On May 10 2013 04:04 Aveng3r wrote: no game is worth danger to yourself or the people you love. I sometimes get the same way, I dont really have a good way to treat the "symptoms" if you want to call them that.. I just try to stay away from people until I cool off. The best advice I can give you is to prepare beforehand. Im the most competative person I know, and I dont ever want to stop competing, but at the same time I have to acknowledge that I rage really fucking hard sometimes, and thats just how I am. I try to only play when I am alone and I am free to throw whatever fit I have to without putting anything/anybody in harms way. I try to prepare for rage beforehand, I recommend you do the same. If its really that bad where even thats not enough, it might be time to give it up. and to all the people who are saying "grow up"-- get out of the fucking thread and shut up
Fuck, this guy gets it. This is not an easy problem to solve. I agree entirely. Either prepare for it beforehand, or give up playing Starcraft 2. It sucks to have to admit that you won't be masters or whatever rank it is you wanted to be, but it's better than getting mad. This shit will ruin your life. It will start seeping into other parts eventually, and will crush you.
I am all for giving it up. I've been doing that lately, and I feel like a weight was lifted from my chest. Not wanting to play SC2 has probably the best thing I've done to calm my general anxiety I've been having lately.
this is a pretty good example of a perspective that wants to be helpful in the short-term while ignoring the long-term. what I'm getting from the OP is that we see here a set of life heuristics where, because of various factors relating to competitiveness, learning and playing and the common instances of frustration and anger that result from not always meeting your goals in all of those factors, SC2 becomes a way to easily channel and express anger. that's obvious, but here's the message behind that: SC2, as an activity and a game, is not uniquely conducive to anger. I'm a fairly angry player and a sore loser myself, but those traits originate from me and my day-to-day experiences, my ways of coping, and I play with people on SC2 and LoL every day that keep calm and can't be bothered with blowing virtual wins and losses out of proportion. this isn't a judgment so much as it is a definitive way of stating that the anger you bring in is ultimately of you; you have to answer for it, and when you're looking to cast a game you apparently enjoy a lot out of your life, it inevitably places too much of that onus on the medium for your anger, and not the actual anger and where it might originate from in your life. equally as inevitably, if you think any of this rambling strikes a chord with you and you don't want to discard your hobbies as a consequence of making them into coping mechanisms, it's time to see a therapist.
an important sidenote: telling the OP to discard a coping mechanism such as this is a surefire way of making sure that anger starts to manifest in other areas of his life more abruptly. it might end up being less explosive, perhaps, but it's not really a fix that could be otherwise described as anything other than a band-aid.
You're speeding around in a tons worth of metal (deadly weapon) at speed in rage at losing in an Internet game? How would you feel if you caused an accident or killed a kid?
You should get pulled by the Police doing that shit - might actually give you some perspective.
Go see a doctor. Buy some stressballs. Learn some relaxation and breathing techniques.
Note: it's not the game, it's you, and will return when you do something else and find yourself in the same situation. Like many others have said - get help.
If this is actually causing you to do the things you're describing I'd really recommend taking a break from (competitive) gaming for a while. Nothing in a videogame is ever worth the risk of hurting someone over.
Just stick to watching for now! You can enjoy esports as much as ever and not have to worry about gaming having a negative impact on other parts of your life.
I used to punch the hell out of my desk after losing a game sometimes and really hurt my hand. I took a break from sc2 and when I came back I just had the attitude that I want to improve at the game. Raging a lot can be big hindrance on being able to improve so I promised myself I would say 'gg' to my opponent for every game I lost.
Since changing my attitude and respecting my opponents, it made me completely relaxed in my games and improved my skill. Whenever my opponents raged at me, I would think wow I feel sorry for this guy ridiculously getting so worked up about a game (even though that used to be me)
Recently though, I came back from a 10-day break and I absolutely sucked in the first 15 games or so. This made me really frustrated and I broke my promise and stopped gg-ing, which made me more frustrated. I did hit my desk once, but not so hard.
Now I'm studying for exams so I can't play, but when I get back to playing I'm going to have to consciously be aware of my attitude and not break that promise again. Then I should be fine and relaxed during losses, only looking to improve and have fun =)
EPT
