As a person with bipolar disorder, I often wonder why immersing myself for a few hours in something as light as Shovel Knight has such a huge effect on my soul. However, I recently read that Geek Therapy, a nonprofit that advocates for the health use of video games, advertises the use of world-building games such as Minecraft, Roblox, Animal Crossing, and Minecraft. Fortnite to help people deal with mental health issues. While play therapy has long promoted the therapeutic power of escapism over imaginary worlds, more recently has been thought about how these online experiences can be used to combat my anxiety and depression, I mean someone else’s.
In a recent interview with Market, Josué Cardona, president of Play Therapy Association, talked about how these popular video games can help solve the problem.
“They want to keep coming because you’re willing to not only talk to them about Minecraft but play the game during the session. It has certainly opened a lot of doors for many families to the mental health space. .”
Family therapist Monet Goldman says he has had a similar experience. Talking to Wired In a feature last month, he explained how introducing Roblox into a therapy session turned “radio silence” into “forgotten shyness” as clients led each other in the game. play. This is obvious to introverts, such as myself, who suddenly explode into conversation just at the mention of their favorite pastime.
Openness is not the only benefit. 2018 research Zombies Vs Anxiety, found that in a group of more than 50 anxious participants, 2-3 hours a week of gaming showed a greater reduction in anxiety levels than taking a second prescription medication. Clinical psychologist Aimee Daramus told Wired she “prescribes” mental health-focused games like Sea Of Solitude, Gris and Night In The Woods, to practice interpersonal coping techniques Talk to Wired.
Gaming distracts from the unwanted and makes coping strategies more meaningful. Cardona says he inspires achievement in young people by letting them “teach” him about games. “Sometimes you just pretend you don’t know what you’re doing. – They love to teach you and think they know more than you.” He also said he uses open world games to help clients address their concerns by making decisions in a safe space.
Daramus also links gaming to her specific treatment goals. She gives the example of playing Animal Crossing and reflects with clients on how villagers making friends hone their social skills, or waiting to fish a rare fish has built stamina their. While spending hours and hours waiting for that final drop is indeed worrisome, there are even benefits when it comes to frustration.
Kim Wheeler Poitevien is a clinical social worker who uses games to help young people build patience and tolerance. She told Wired that when a game crashes, lags, kicks a player, or simply when someone loses, it helps players better deal with their “frustration tolerance”. .
Other advantages to gaming include increased sanity. “Video games have a way of capturing attention and sustaining it,” says Daramus. She uses video games to interrupt someone overwhelmed by intrusive thoughts, to help reduce anxiety, and ultimately to develop strategies for mental health, such as awareness of mindfulness. So it seems a little bit of what you like will be good for you.
