How Animal Crossing Helped Me Manage My Depression

How Animal Crossing Helped Me Manage My Depression | Off the Cuff

Рет қаралды 4,896

Күн бұрын

Пікірлер: 31

@Lemonlionpie 2 жыл бұрын

I absolutely love this view because it never claims that animal crossing is a cure but points out the very real benefits one can get from playing. Ive found in addition to it allowing more direction and motivation for my day Animal crossing acts as a simple escapism that doesn’t ask to much of you when you’re down.

@veroniquevanderveken8526 Жыл бұрын

I’m so happy with this video. I started today for my 1st time with AC game. I’m also in a depression right now. And its like you said. People dont see it. They dont believe it. I’m home now for 3 months. And the lak of compassion from my work is sad. It made me feel worse then i already was before. Few years ago i had cancer. And from the moment my hair was gone. I was that poor sick women. And everyone understand that. But this is for me way worse then when i had cancer. The feeling of loneliness and mental pain is terrible. So i hope this game will help me too.

@187_snow_flake 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for making this video. I've been playing animal crossing since it came out on GameCube. It's really takes you away to another world where the people around you (villagers) show you more kindness than those in your own life. You don't have to worry about them hurting you like in reality. This is the best kind of game for someone who suffers depression, getting bullied, or have social anxiety but still need the social simulation. What a great video ❤️

@jaynexe1618 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much! I put in a lot of thought into the effects depression and mental illness can have on people, but it quickly became overwhelming. I didn't think I could do the scientific part justice, so I decided to just speak on the part I knew a lot about, my own experiences and thoughts. We all struggle and fall and it's important to go through those experiences to grow, but some people are put through a significantly larger amount of struggle than others, and no one ever seems to care. They're more concerned with themselves, or even worse, they think the other person is exaggerating their experiences. The sooner we stop dismissing mental illness and the effects that traumatic experiences can have on us, the sooner we all may be able to come together and take steps forward as a whole

@187_snow_flake 4 жыл бұрын

@@jaynexe1618 I think your approach was perfect and it was very relatable. Everyone experienced emotions at different levels, so telling someone they're over exaggerating really bothers me. I don't think you're able to fully know someone's struggle unless you're them

@selvyucro 3 жыл бұрын

Animal Crossing helps me so much, it makes me happy!

@lemonmeringue9591 2 жыл бұрын

This is very meaningful!

@Piggiemushroom 4 жыл бұрын

great vid man, really brave to be able to share something so personal. I'm in grad school rn to become a therapist and I agree that animal crossing has this awesome magic. The quarantine has made me feel very unmotivated and low, when I got this game it really does provide that excitement for a new day. Im so happy to hear that it was able to help you and hope you are doing okay. I think being proud of those little victories, even a virtual victory is really important for everyone right now, this game came out at the perfect time haha.

@Chaosofcolor1 4 жыл бұрын

Fantastic video. Thank you so much for sharing. I can also relate to everything you touched on in your experience with animal crossing. It really does provide a little mental stability during dark times in your life. It sounds silly, as you stated, but it’s so true. And thank you for also talking about how it’s not a substitute for the real world; it’s so important to focus on improving your mental health in real life. Having animal crossing definitely helped me to do this too. :)

@jaynexe1618 4 жыл бұрын

Games are fantastic. They are a form of entertainment similar to books and movies. The perfect escapist's fantasy. There is no better feeling than being immersed in a world that you can control, where you can forget about that chore you've been dreading, and slay a dragon, or plant a garden instead. But they also make it easy to fall into certain patterns, since your brain is already in a compromised state. We can start to latch onto things because at the time it makes us feel a little bit better, or even just feel anything at all. Gaming, drugs, drinking, relationships, gambling, those feelings are addictive and some may help people cope for a bit...but they are temporary. You need to be able to extend that feeling you get by playing games into the real world. We can't solely rely on outside influences to help us, we need to start by looking inward. But first, all those struggling need to feel like they can come out and share their struggles in a safe environment, where we won't be judged. We need to change people's opinions about what Mental Illness actually is, otherwise, we're all just spinning our wheels and getting nowhere

@lucasmarsula7924 4 жыл бұрын

I started playing ACNL again, after I was once again put in a closed psychiatry for trying to commit suicide, and it helped me aswell. Glad to hear it could help you aswell

@jaynexe1618 4 жыл бұрын

I'm really happy you're here with us today, to share your experience Lucas. It's nice to be able to look back at something and point it out as a contributor as something that positively changed our lives.

@lucasmarsula7924 4 жыл бұрын

@@jaynexe1618 yeah you're right, except I would still prefer it if they wouldn't have brought me back to life... At least I found something which can help make my days just a little less empty

@jaynexe1618 4 жыл бұрын

@@lucasmarsula7924 I'm not going to pretend like I understand where you're coming from, Nor am I going to get on a fake soapbox and preach things I don't believe in. I've had my share of harmful thoughts, but I've not been through what you have, so I can never know exactly what you've been through. For that, I am sorry I do hope you can find more things to fill your life up with, but I'm also one of those people that believes anyone should have autonomy over their own life and death if they feel that is the right path for them.

@Frog_Mob_Boss 4 күн бұрын

I hope you are doing well.

@LoganFlores 3 жыл бұрын

I've been dealing with alot of depression and anxiety and i still to do this day recently i lost a friend who threw me under the bus and blocked me out of there life... for no reason it made me feel so sad and i ended up hating myself i'm gonna be getting Animal Crossing New Horizons for my birthday in November and i'm very excited for the villagers to meet me! i know this game will help me

@LunaVespertine 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing this.

@ryanicalgames7870 4 жыл бұрын

Great video man, I’m proud of you for being able to make this video, I’m in basically the same boat as you so I may get this game

@misskikisuki 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for sharing your story and experiences. I have just also recently experienced my 2nd depression in my life. I am considering to invest in a new Nintendo switch to play animal crossing. I am so intrigued by what you have experienced from it, I can't wait to see how it would help me too.

@jaynexe1618 4 жыл бұрын

I'm glad that this video reached you, and I know how hard you must be fighting against your depression. Keep it up! But, please don't rely on a game to help you along. I'm not trying to be rude, I just dont want you to spend a bunch of money, thinking it's a magic cure. One person's experience could not be the same for another. Regardless, if you do get the game, I hope you enjoy the heck out of it!