playing computer game to avoid depression

[aliven]

I used to get a kick out of playing a computer game daily

now I realize I only played it to mask depression.

What can I do instead of video games?

go for a walk?

[smallwolf]

hi and welcome to beyond blue.

years ago I played online games as a way of relieving stress. I was working from home and little interaction with the real world for a number of reasons. Fast forward to today, well about a year ago, and my psychologist showed me this list...

https://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/-/media/CCI/Mental-Health-Professionals/Depression/Depression---Inf...

to consider and find some things from the list to do. Perhaps some of these might interest you?

What sort of games do you play? There is nothing necessarily wrong with video games per se, as long as don't become the main or only thing you do, get addicted or whatever. But if you feel they are interfering with your mental health that is another thing.

Tim

[aliven]

thanks, nice list!

[blondguy]

Hi Aliven

Thanks for being on the forums and your helpful thread topic too!

I find my PS4 a helpful way of distracting myself yet I have been in involved in regular counselling with my depression.

As you mentioned in your post you used to get a kick out of it. If our symptoms begin to have a detrimental my effect on our daily ability to function at work school or our private lives, frequent counselling can bring us clarity and some peace of mind too!

Any questions are always welcome. The forums are a safe and non judgemental place for all of us to post!

My kind thoughts

Paul

[Gambit87]

I too used to use gaming as a way to mask depression.

Then I get angry at myself for wasting my time and not being productive, especially on the weekends.

I was given the same list as smallwolf linked by my psychologist but I did my own thing haha.

Ive discovered being inside all the time makes my depression worse. so I get out and about alot, walking, gardening, photography, playing poker. I still game, but only for a few hours a week now.