Games for people with depression

[Verylittlefishes]

Depression will never fully go away. You play some games, you do some sports, you meet up with friends, whatever. You may even be happy during those moments. But when you go back home you are alone again, there's no-one waiting for you there. No woman who hugs you and makes you feel like you're worth something. But even if there was one, deep down you realize the relationship can't fill the void either. It's all just distraction and escapism from the bitter truth that you will never be who you really want to, it's all just running away from the sheer physical impossibility of your deepest craving.

But once you accept that you will never be truly happy, never fully comfortable in your own skin, then you can be at peace with yourself. Accept your fate and keep on distracting yourself through work, physical exercise, social interactions, fun activities.

Play those games that give you the best sense of immersion and escapism.
Games that let you play a female character work best

 

[hell bovine]

OP: recommend me games
codex: akshually…

Not surprising considering how many here struggle with mental ilness.

There is this widespread belief that you can beat depression if you only change your attitude. Every once in a while you'll hear someone famous commited suicide, leaving his family, friends and hard earned cash behind, and the society gets a reminder that none of these things will protect you from depression for a total of 5 minutes. Then it's back to the usual 'just think positive thoughts'.

I can see why cRPGs can help; if you find them immersive, then for a short time they might take your mind off yourself. (Me, I'm for the monster slaying, but that helps too. :D)

 

[Belegarsson]

Depression comes in many forms so I can't tell what OP has to do to make him feel better. But for me personally, the main source of my unwell mental state was due to a rough part of my life, people important to me passed away, people who I thought had my back manipulated me so hard I still have trouble trusting anyone, but the most important part was I lacked motivation, to the point where it damaged not just my daily routine but my relationships with remaining folks who treat me well. So, I tried to minimalize those negativity to the point where I don't have time to think about them by... giving myself motivation. I have a kid so that's one. I started reading more books, I started writing more, I got a new job where I can socialize more but still have time for my kid and at least 2 - 3 hours alone each day. Basically, keep yourself busy (but not too busy), spread out your interests, try new things, learn new experiences.

That's why I find games with a sense of adventure way better towards my mental state than games that are only entertaining in small doses, even something with depressive mood like Pathologic 2 might be able to make you feel better because it gives you a reason to invest into something, and that investment becomes motivation. I often find narrative based games - even the ones that aren't very good - inspire me to look for counterparts in the same genre. I enjoyed Red Dead Redemption 2 so much I decided to rewatch some of my most favorite western movies (True Grit remake, No Country for Old Men, High or Hell Water) and the classics that I never got a chance to watch before (The Wild Bunch is a masterpiece), and then I realize I'm really into western just as much as magical realism and cyberpunk, and... you get the idea. There's so much on my mind right now that just shoved away all the negativities in my head. All the opportunities, investments, relationships, one day I just somehow realized that I have all these things, stuffs, people I care about and I can't bear to wash them away. My curiosity gave me the need to know more, more than just myself, more than my nothingness.

 

[cruel]

LSD helped me permanently with my depression (no joke here). Also, read Eckhart Tolle books - Power of Now and A New Earth. Life changing for me.

As for games:
Planescape: Torment
Dark souls
NieR
Nier: Automata

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk

 

[Verylittlefishes]

LSD helped me permanently with my depression

Disclaimer: results may vary

 

[Zibniyat]

No game is good for depression. In fact, you should quit games and deal with depression first.

 

[Farewell young Prince into the night]

When I go through a depressive phase, my go-to game of choice has always been An Elder Scrolls Legend: Battlespire.

Nothing gets me outside into the fresh air faster.

 

[MadMaxHellfire]

Don't isolate yourself. Be more social.

If that means playing games, turn on your microphone and actually talk to people - even if it's just focused on the game, you are socializing and not being alone.

Loneliness is the killer. If you can't be social playing vidya, don't play vidya for a while. Take a break, make a plan to reward yourself with some planned time to game after a few days being more social. Keep repeating this cycle until you find yourself being more sociable by habit and because it feels good.

they seem sound and reasonable suggestions, but what if they've been already tried and failed or are literally impossible? don't try to walk around the problem, "literally impossible". that's my usual conversation with shrinks, -you must get out of this. -well, i can't see how. you tell me. -you must get out of this. -how? -hour's up, see you next time.

 

[Verylittlefishes]

Don't isolate yourself. Be more social.

If that means playing games, turn on your microphone and actually talk to people - even if it's just focused on the game, you are socializing and not being alone.

Loneliness is the killer. If you can't be social playing vidya, don't play vidya for a while. Take a break, make a plan to reward yourself with some planned time to game after a few days being more social. Keep repeating this cycle until you find yourself being more sociable by habit and because it feels good.

they seem sound and reasonable suggestions, but what if they've been already tried and failed or are literally impossible? don't try to walk around the problem, "literally impossible". that's my usual conversation with shrinks, -you must get out of this. -well, i can't see how. you tell me. -you must get out of this. -how? -hour's up, see you next time.

Prozac+therapy. No magic cure.

 

[Daemongar]

No game is good for depression. In fact, you should quit games and deal with depression first.

Yeah - knock that depression shit off! Get better and don't come back until you are 100% mentally fit to play cRPGs! Now, let's all get back to our uplifting discussions and good times!

 

[Zibniyat]

No game is good for depression. In fact, you should quit games and deal with depression first.

Yeah - knock that depression shit off! Get better and don't come back until you are 100% mentally fit to play cRPGs! Now, let's all get back to our uplifting discussions and good times!

To be honest, I believe most cRPGs are made for mentally unwell persons. Sorry if this offends anyone, I am not excluding myself from it all just so we are clear.

Depression is a mental illness. Playing games can be for two valid reasons (as an entertainment, and for artistic appreciation), as well as for some invalid reasons (like diverting one's attention from one's serious mental issue). None of them will offer sufficient relief, and running away from yourself ultimately just makes things worse.

 

[DraQ]

OP: recommend me games
codex: akshually…

I recommended a game.

And not some edgy shit either.

The only thing that alleviates my depression is a good cRPG.

Spoiler

The trick being that there aren't any.

 

[Alpan]

they seem sound and reasonable suggestions, but what if they've been already tried and failed or are literally impossible? don't try to walk around the problem, "literally impossible". that's my usual conversation with shrinks, -you must get out of this. -well, i can't see how. you tell me. -you must get out of this. -how? -hour's up, see you next time.

I'm curious, and asking as a very strong introvert, what is literally impossible about socializing? Making genuine, lasting connection may well be impossible, but socializing? You are socializing even now, though to a small degree.

Note, I am not asking about wanting to socialize (I am rarely interested in socializing with people myself), I'm asking why you call it literally impossible.

 

[Grauken]

No game is good for depression. In fact, you should quit games and deal with depression first.

What if he's depressed because he quit gaming

 

[spectre]

You might want to play an adventure game. Possibly a classic one like Grim Fandango.

Also, Ori and the Blind forest is my go-to feelgood game.

 

[Zibniyat]

The mind makes some powerless, and gives strength to others. (Kreia, Star Wars KOTOR II)

"Literally impossible" is like a wall one's mind uses to enclose one in a certain space, for example a space with no sufficient socialising. Your mind - or rather your thoughts - are not you. Not the whole of you. You should not submit your whole self to what should serve you and be to your benefit. If your mind, or your thoughts, cause you suffering, then you reign in the mind/thoughts and forcefully change your ways if need be, not capitulate to it. And that is literally possible for everyone.

 

[Citizen]

That really reminds me: The problem with people and their DEPRESSION these days is that they don't have proper ENEMIES anymore. Naturally, they are depressed and their life lacks meaning, because they have no hated enemies to strive against. Solution: Get an enemy, and dedicate your life to ruining theirs.

okay clown, sleep with one eye open from now on, cause i'm gonna get you

 

[Grauken]

That really reminds me: The problem with people and their DEPRESSION these days is that they don't have proper ENEMIES anymore. Naturally, they are depressed and their life lacks meaning, because they have no hated enemies to strive against. Solution: Get an enemy, and dedicate your life to ruining theirs.

okay clown, sleep with one eye open from now on, cause i'm gonna get you

That would probably sound more terrifying with a less hilarious avatar

 

[Bruma Hobo]

The best game for you if you are "depressed" and your life has no big problems (that is, serious health issues, major disabilities, war, or whatever) is Ultima IV. That game's about finding purpose in a seemingly peaceful world without a big baddie to defeat (that is, you no longer will be able to blame capitalism, communism, Jews, Russians, the patriarchy, SJWs, white people, your parents or whatever for your problems, it's admittedly a normie game), through self-improvement and contemplation. That game can teach you how to organize yourself, follow certain routines, divide a huge quest into many easier tasks, and so on, and the end-game is a beautiful puzzle in which you're basically finding God.

Still, nothing beats going outside. Find better hobbies, practice any sport, go to Church, start playing pen and paper RPGs, do something. I for example just started taking tango classes, and every little improvement makes me feel much happier than any vidya, and I get to meet new people as a bonus, including some potential new friends and many lusty MILFs.

 

[shihonage]

I've been gaming like 28 years of my life, bromo. I've dealt with depression before, and let me tell you, games didn't fucking make it better, just worse. Escapism is never the answer, when you got debilitating issues in your life.

Yeah the general advice is exercise or some other activity, preferably with social elements. However, it's not all that simple.

Depression isn't always caused by "real issues". It can be happening entirely in your head. Depression can also be worsened by seasonal affective disorder, in addition to other factors like personal demons, PTSD, and just plain fucked brain chemistry.

Sometimes escapism is the only thing you can do. For example if you have an anxiety attack, you REALLY don't want to go to your wrestling class. It's better to just go to the ocean, and if you don't have an ocean, or its winter outside - run WoW, walk up to the water and sit there in virtual sunlight listening to ocean waves. Some Paladin will run by and you'll save him from Murlocks chasing him. He will bow and give you an armor. It does help.

Finally, what is "escapism"? Everyone's escaping from something. People cheering for their football teams in a bar are engaging in "escapism". Movie goers. Book readers. People going on a shopping spree or indulging in junk food after a bad break-up.

Frankly, even martial arts training is escapism. I've been doing that type of escapism for a long time. You go put on pajamas and pretend to fight other people, changing into a different you, who isn't you.

Did therapy ever actually RESOLVE someone's problems? Many of us are escaping forever, in one way or another.

 

[MadMaxHellfire]

depression is not "today i feel sad". depression is a brain chemical unbalance, obtained through trauma, be it physical or emotive. or just because you're sick, it happens, you could have been a skizo instead you're sad and suicidal all day long.

 

[otsego]

Amnesia: The Dark Descent

Won't make you feel better but you will relate to it.

I echo what others have said: exercise (outdoors if possible), drink water, eat better, and keep in touch with fam and friends.

{Friendly emoji}

 

[ClaviculaZ]

As a psychologist and as a person who suffered from depression for more than 15 years I could write endless pages about this matter, but I honestly wouldn't know where to end and there wouldn't really be a true solution either. As for games, fantasy TBS helped me greatly in certain times, but of course there aren't any good games for depression per se. When you are really deep in it, you will find no joy in any game.

Furthermore, I will just leave this quote here:

"There are some who have no voices
Or none that will ever speak
Because of the things they know about this world
And the things they feel about this world
Because the thoughts that fill a brain
That is a damaged brain
Because the pain that fills a body
That is a damaged body
Exist in other worlds
Countless other worlds
Each of which stands alone in an infinite empty blackness
For which no words have been conceived
And where no voices are able to speak
When a brain is filled only with damaged thoughts
When a damaged body is filled only with pain
And stands alone in a world surrounded by infinite empty blackness
And exists in a world for which there is no special plan"

 

[Filthy Sauce]

Honey Select

 

[Twiglard]

If you can (and if you are not doing that already), I would suggest you to do some sport or physical activity and THEN play some games.

That never works. When you're depressed, the ability to feel pleasure is heavily diminished -- and conversely for anything negative. I'd know.

What are some games that will cater to my depressive sensibilities while making me feel like life isn't so worthless after all?

A game won't help you with problem, at least I wouldn't expect it. I'm wasting time with Kerbal Space Program. It's a coping mechanism and not any life lesson or anything.