Therapist breaks down how Souls games affect our mental health

[@Psych_Lore]

Guys..... I did not expect this video to get more than a couple hundred views or even the channel reaching 100 subscribers like what?!?! Just wanted to say thank you so much for the comments, really means a lot. I hope to give you guys some more content within the coming weeks. Thanks again for tuning in!

[@suave605]

Quality content deserves recognition, this video was one of them.

[@JoeKing69]

I like your attitude towards emotions. Mastering your emotions doesn't mean getting rid of them, but rather knowing what they're telling you and how to properly use them.

[@SixBladesKojiro]

Its the effect it has on the anterior midcingulate cortex. You want to give up because it is hard but when you don't it builds strength in this section of the brain which is where your willpower comes from. According to "some" studies.

[@AKAKeyz]

what a great great great combination of content - video games & psychology. super relaxing, enjoyable to listen to & watch, teaches us about ourselves & others without us really realizing! thanks a lot! please please keep it up!!

[@PickleMonster5565]

I mean what did you expect with a bangin’ title like that!

[@soulstech414]

Dark souls saved my life. I was a heroin addict for 10 years and I was trying to get clean for the umpteenth time and I was in a sober living home and I could feel myself slipping mentally backwards... one day I went to the flea market and bought a 360 and dark souls 2 just because I thought it looked cool.. never heard of the game before.. and I just became obsessed and slowly I became more focused, happier, took my recovery more seriously.. that was almost exactly 5 years ago and I've been clean ever since and I've beaten every soulsborne game multiple times.. fromsoftware saved my life

[@Psych_Lore]

Glad you found something that helped you overcome addiction, keep it up. Thanks for the comment and hope you enjoyed the video

[@ZERODIS0]

That’s amazing my guy hell yeah

[@gentlerabbit6852]

keep it up king! you're such an inspiration

[@poodle9557]

good for you man, congratulations and keep going strong

[@kimL93]

Good job bruv proud of u 👏

[@fikrirahmatnurhidayat4988]

We come in from "Put this foolish ambitions to rest" then come out with "Your strength is extraordinary, a mark of a true lord."

[@an_omega_wolf]

I swear! Margit and the first tree sentinel were the toughest bosses I fought in the game 😅 took me so many hours

[@castform57]

Also "Thy strength befits a crown". Another great progress is Master Hewg. You start with "You're a new face. No matter, it's all the same. Lay out your arms. Let's get smithing." And you end up with "It was a great honor to smith your weapons during my time here. Allow me to c-call you this, just once, before it ends. My lord, f-for that is what you are."

[@jackbrownlee2135]

Notice how the mental health expert skipped DS2.

[@shuten2904]

Lol

[@linkfiedproductions2246]

DS2 helped me with my desensitization of death, as crazy as that sounds. I had never cared about death, but that game made me care about life again. I could write a whole essay on why but basically the story of the characters and bosses really affected myself.

[@Yerfdog1]

Therapists can have bad opinions too! But great video! Appreciate your awesome analysis of souls games!

[@jeremyday4892]

​@linkfiedproductions2246 Would love to hear your thoughts on it.

[@Its_All_A_Farce-re9wy]

DS2 was my first souls game so irrespective of whether it maybe considered the worst. It still benefited me substantially mentally at the time.

[@JoeKing69]

Miyazaki understands that there is nothing more profound than hope in the face of overwhelming hopelessness.

[@NexusKin]

@joeking6972 That's why basically the two universal stats to level up the most in any Soulsborne game are Strength and Health, because they allow you to both deal and absorb extreme amounts of damage.

[@catedoge3206]

The indomitable human spirit

[@darkphoenix2]

I've long believed that you can genuinely grow and improve as a person from these games. The elements of learning, persevering, and finally overcoming is so strong compared to a lot of games, and it sometimes feels like you can compare it to the mentality needed to face real life challenges.

[@Psych_Lore]

Totally agree! It's all about that will to overcome that next challenge which you can implement to practically any facet of life, whether they're social, professional, or academic challenges. Hope you enjoyed the video and thanks for leaving a comment

[@Shady-Frank]

Agreed

[@theobell2002]

Learning from mistakes and improving is not something unique to these games. If you waste your life playing video games all day, you are not growing, you're coping. Go outside, seek professional help if you need it and make some real life experiences. That is truly how you grow as a person.

[@Shady-Frank]

@theobell2002 I disagree. Although it doesn't in itself improve you, the philosophy gained from them can. (When applied to real life.)

[@nkorppi]

@@theobell2002 Video Games are a part of real life experience.

[@Starzoh]

Imma be honest elden ring is getting me through an extremely rough time it's completely absorbed my spare time and allows me to just forget. Sometimes you just need an escape

[@danielsatter1805]

Thank God for that escape right? I think I might be playing too much though as I had a wild dream about Miquella and other npc's. Can't remember it exactly now but it was dark as well. Fkn crazy. I've never found myself in a gave world in a dream but I have with FromSoftware

[@Psych_Lore]

Glad you're able to find something that brings you joy during a rough time. Important to note that sometimes we gotta face our problems because we can't always escape. Hope you enjoyed the video and thanks for the comment.

[@manashieldworld]

Escaping has created more problems than its solved for me but I get you. Sometimes you gotta.

[@Psych_Lore]

@@manashieldworld yup escaping is a double edged sword bc if it’s all you do, then you’re not living or facing your responsibilities. Gotta learn how to manage the time and escape in moderation to where it doesn’t become the go to coping mechanism

[@julianosantosOficial]

Great to see all these smart comments, face your problems and they will lose their grisp on you.

[@Shady-Frank]

When i started playing dark souls, i was an alcoholic, drinking a 5th of vodka each night. When I tried to get sober, playing through these games helped me learn that what seems impossible at the moment doesn't mean it is. Then, progressing through the game alongside complete strangers struggling as well only served as encouragement as we could learn from each other without words. Lastly, every once in a while, you'll see an old summon from earlier in the game, and you get to see the progress you both made since. The souls games have actually given me a new perspective on life's struggles. Now I'm sober and trying to learn programming, something that seems impossible with no knowledge, but you slowly begin to learn how to progress one step at a time.

[@Silenthero66]

Makes me choke up this does. Well fucking done.

[@Psych_Lore]

Sometimes all it takes is gaining a new perspective from someone/something to change our lives for the better. Glad you're sober man, keep it up. Thanks for commenting and hope you enjoyed the video

[@Shady-Frank]

@ShuriffDumian it was a great video, my man. thank you for the encouragement. I'm 2 years sober now and going strong.

[@JoshNorman937]

The joy of overcoming some of the struggles is very rewarding In these games

[@Psych_Lore]

For sure, thanks for leaving a comment and hope you enjoyed the video!

[@silenceyang6980]

The souls games teach you that patience is key. If you go into a boss without the patience to roll ten times, attack once, fourty five times, then you won't beat the boss. If you don't have the patience to do that for hours, even if the boss has one hp left, you keep preservering. Personally, after playing souls games, i've noticed that I have become a bit more patient, and I feel like most if not everybody feels the same. There is still nothing stopping me from raging when I'm one hit away from beating a boss and then dying.

[@Lo-KeyMuzik]

It also teaches you its ok to ask for help 😂

[@Psych_Lore]

I'm glad the patience in boss fights has translated to using it in the real world. Anger is totally normal so don't worry haha, it's what we do with it that could be problematic. Thanks for commenting and hope you enjoyed the video

[@Hma-q2g]

Elden Ring DLC final boss currently smacking me in the face with a lesson on patience

[@Elriuhilu]

*forty

[@NexusKin]

The souls games also teach you which stats are the most important and practical to level up, like Strength, Health, and Endurance, so that you can really turn the tables and bring the fight to enemies who were previously kicking your butt.😊

[@KenchiofTaichi]

"Goodbye then. Be safe, friend. Don't you dare go Hollow." -Laurentius of the Great Swamp. 🔥

[@NexusKin]

@@KenchiofTaichi "Oh, hello there! Exhilarating, is it not? The power of the Sun. I am blessed to have found such a brave companion. Hahaha!" -Solaire of Astora

[@tearsofglass9826]

I still think about these quotes

[@tearsofglass9826]

Especially Laurentius

[@brutusmagnuson315]

It also reinforces emotional regulation. For example, it doesn’t matter how close you are to killing a boss, you aren’t owed that last 1-2 hits; you have to stay calm and keep playing the way you’ve been playing. Panicking, getting greedy, getting angry all get you killed. Playing with an even-headed approach will always be the best approach

[@BenjaminCanales-nn9gi]

Psychedelics are just an exceptional mental health breakthrough. It's quite fascinating how effective they are against depression and anxiety. Saved my life.

[@Jerome12222H]

Can you help with the reliable source I would really appreciate it. Many people talk about mushrooms and psychedelics but nobody talks about where to get them. Very hard to get a reliable source here in Australia. Really need!

[@ejmabrothers6743]

Yes, dr.porassss. I have the same experience with anxiety, depression, PTSD and addiction and Mushrooms definitely made a huge huge difference to why am clean today.

[@יוסימניאק]

I wish they were readily available in my place. Microdosing was my next plan of care for my husband. He is 59 & has so many mental health issues plus probable CTE & a TBI that left him in a coma 8 days. It's too late now I had to get a TPO as he's 6'6 300+ pound homicidal maniac. He's constantly talking about killing someone. He's violent. Anyone reading this Familiar w/ BPD know if it is common for an obsession with violence.

[@Jerome12222H]

Is he on instagram?

[@ejmabrothers6743]

Yes he is dr.porassss

[@haizen-jx1sp]

I have been diagnosed with depression that i had for a long time , lately i started playing souls games ,i remember after finishing Bloodborne which was the first one , that i stopped thinking about dark thoughts , i was playing every night angry with the boss that killed me hundred of times when before i was laying down thinking and thinking all about bad things that put me down thinking i can't change , it was like a whole month with peace of mind and some sort of accomplishments that gave me the energy to change little by little by giving myself some objectives like a game in real life , still recovering but i believe now it will be all right soon

[@Psych_Lore]

I'm glad your thoughts and perspective shifted. Keep it going, you got this! Wishing you the best, thanks for the comment and hope you enjoyed the vid!

[@thecodemachine]

Souls games force you into a flow state that requires you to forget your other problems. I'm one of those people who did beat DS3 on soul level 1. I have autism with anxiety. Souls games force me to be in the moment, and not worrying about the past.future.

[@Psych_Lore]

Glad you're able to tune out the noise of the past/future with these games. The 5 senses grounding technique is a pretty good way of bringing yourself back to the present if you don't have access to these games. Hope you enjoyed the video and thanks for your comment

[@loafofbread481]

As someone who also has Autism with anxiety and even confidence issues I can agree! I've just now started playing these games, via Bloodborne, which has been challenging but a lot of fun. Only been playing for around 14 days or so and I've already beaten 11 bosses, so I'm feeling good, but I know there's gonna be that one boss that will truly test me and I can't wait.

[@thehiddenwarrior354]

@@loafofbread481there will be, but you will overcome that one too.

[@dank_shiv]

​@@loafofbread481There is nothing such as Unbeatable in soul Games, It may take months in a bad scenario, Saying as a noob.

[@NotxDs]

To "put this foolish ambitions to rest" to " i've finally met my match" is the craziest things I've felt on souls games

[@mikeyswift2010]

I tell people all the time how souls has changed my life. I have told many people (and i swear on my mothers life this is a true story) how when i was first learning to wire an electrical panel as an apprentice electrician, it was one of the most daunting things ive ever had to learn. The amount of wire, mental focus, steps to remember etc. seemed impossible to do without help. However, I remember thinking to myself “man if i can beat iishin the sword saint, malenia, and midir all by myself, then i can do this.” Sure enough, i learned and i do them independently on a regular basis now. I have applied this thinking to many different things ive had to learn on the job under rough conditions as I am a right leg amputee and it always has helped me. I kid you not when i say these games have changed my life. Souls taught me that if you do something enough times you’ll eventually get it, and this applies to virtually everything.

[@void4954]

Souls games are just so relatable to life, so much struggle and adversity that can be overcome by within ourselves.

[@charlesqbanks]

For me it was Bloodborne that was an amazing outlet for my frustration, and a distraction from my depression. What really helped was that the world of my thoughts was so similar in how they felt; overwhelmingly dark, violent and hopeless, filled with monsters that hate me and the only helpful people are weak or incompetent themselves, or worse, crazy as well. Being able to relate to the darkness of the world, and also learn to overcome it, as well as my own impatience, self doubt, and inaction, made me feel accomplished in a way I didn't feel in real life at the time. This also gave me courage to try to do the same in my own life, to fight back against thoughts saying "just give up" after having failed so many times. I don't want to be a mindless beast like Gascoigne, or a sad defeated hunter like Gherman. Id rather be like the intrepid hunter who never gives up and succeeds where anyone else may have ended their own "run," even if the process is bloody and the revelations as to why I'm going through this may be horrible and grotesque. Thats gow BB saved me, and that's why I love BB so much.

[@Psych_Lore]

Glad BB helped you during a tough time and you were able to gain a new healthy perspective to life. Hope you enjoyed the video and thanks for the comment

[@rxshovxx]

No other game in my life have taken me through plethora of emotions from anger, disbelief,joy to absolute euphoria other than souls borne franchise. Souls series taught us we are much tougher than we think we are.

[@Psych_Lore]

Love this! Thanks for the comment and hope you enjoyed the vid

[@Superdingusmcgee]

Haven’t played Elden Ring just yet, but this video convinced me to finally pull the trigger.

[@Psych_Lore]

Glad you found the video helpful, appreciate the comment

[@mintkit1064]

Reading this right after he said "people explain that this series had saved them" really threw me for a loop 😅

[@jamiekslog]

Just wait on the DLC until you get really good at the base game.

[@DemonEdge82]

You got it, the key to these games is not giving up. You’re going to be your worst enemy when u first start playing these games. If u get some self doubt just block it out and keep throwing yourself at a boss until you beat them.

[@maliketh2951]

Welp see you in the next 200+ hours my guy

[@ltsEternall]

Elden ring not only taught me it is okay to get angry… but it also taught me HOW to deal with that anger.

[@Psych_Lore]

Good stuff, hope you enjoyed the video and thanks for the comment!

[@slizardthelizard1988]

Im going through a lot & this made me shed a tear at the end. I completely understand what you mean. I can & I will. Thanks.

[@Silenthero66]

I was stuck on the DLC Final Boss fight since before you released this video. Wednesday night. I simply couldn't find this exact feeling you describe again. I was feeling really dejected and depressed, thinking "Am I really gonna have to use a summon after all this time?". This video, honestly was instrumental in getting me back into the right headspace, that unique fromsoft state of mind. I stopped feeling angry about the boss and just accepted all of it. Anyone here who'd even experiences that second phase knows what its like. Just two or three hours after watching this video, I beat him. Literally just 10 minutes ago. I want to think you for that. My life has... problems... right now. Things I want but because of the way I think, I can't change my behavior and its like a block on getting the things I want. Well, I just beat, the most unbelievably hard boss fromsoftware has EVER created, and now I feel just like you describe; maybe I can do it in my real life. Thanks again.

[@Psych_Lore]

Hey that's all you! You're the one that did it, probably just needed a little nudge. Hope things get better for you, thanks for the comment

[@jialigary]

It gives me a Can Do attitude. No matter how insane a boss is at the beginning, I know I am on the right track, I am winning and I will win. Death in soul like games is not a game over. It is part of the journey. Another thing I learn is to know myself and take control of myself. I know I am going to make mistakes and I will be greedy. For the old games, I used to save and load millions times so I can undo mistakes. But save and load is not how the real life (and the soul games) works. I have to face the true enemy : my anxiety, my impatience, my urge, me being greedy.

[@linkfiedproductions2246]

I’ve learned how to persevere and stick with things. Never giving up in failure.

[@SantanaBanana47]

Challenging ourselves in general is so good. That self reflection is required to get through it and this skill can bleed into other areas of your life. You gotta dig deep. You have to shut out certain thoughts that don't serve you too.

[@SantanaBanana47]

Knowing yourself helps you understand what your life task is (your one true desire or duty). Arguably the most important thing to know in life.

[@Psych_Lore]

Facts, thanks for commenting and hope you enjoyed the video

[@thanganbabp5570]

from watching this video what i've gotten out of it, is that the souls games make negative feelings and anxieties a close companion you have to confront often, and then as you overcome despite it all you learn how to deal with them all.

[@sawiblue]

This video just came in a moment of need, sorrow and confusion about my own life, ive been playing for weeks and the sense of achivement that i get its so big in comparison to the one that emerges from other aspects of life that arent going that well. Your words about implementing all that motivation and overcoming what is in front of you in real life like you do inside the game really got me. Thank you very much

[@Psych_Lore]

Any time, hope you reach that point where the sorrow and confusion washes away completely. Thanks for the comment and glad you enjoyed the video

[@kwisatzhaderach9591]

Sekiro was actually the first "souls like" game I finished. It was super hard at first felt like breaking a controller in rage. Eventually I slowly got better and better, and the sense of accomplishment was incredible when I finally finished the game. I've replayed it several times, and everything about it I absolutely love. Since then, I went to Bloodborn, Elden Ring, and circled back to DS1 and DS3. I probably wasn't in the most positive point in my life, but I wouldn't say I was depressed. Those games do require a certain mind set of facing countless failures before breaking through. I used to never understand why people go through raging at a boss and game, but after playing enough I get it. When everything starts to click it just clicks, but it's hard to explain. Something about the hit of adrenaline and dopamine hitting after a tough boss grind is incredible.

[@DemonEdge82]

Souls games taught me that sometimes if I’m having negative thoughts like I can’t do something that if I just put my head down and block it out and I’ll persevere. That has absolutely translated to my life in other areas.

[@Psych_Lore]

That's a very valuable coping skill we call "cognitive restructuring", being able to replace negative thoughts with positive ones. Glad you were able to implement it to other areas in your life. Thanks for your comment and hope you enjoyed the video

[@SantanaBanana47]

Realizing you can do more than you thought is also quite encouraging. When we realize our potential we start living the life we truly want

[@DemonEdge82]

@@SantanaBanana47 yeah, exactly. Plus I start to wonder what else can I do that I thought I couldn’t? Because I definitely was in the same boat as a lot of people and thought I couldn’t do it. It really is the expression “mind over matter”. Thanks for the comment btw.

[@Super-wk6jx]

i had terrible anxiety problems and then started playing dark souls in 2016 and since then recovered completely

[@JustAGuyWithThoughts]

Not only the reward loop, but the resilience. They tie you in with the reward loot, and chasing that leads to persevering and overcoming obstacles. It's literally gamifying overcoming barriers. When you gamify perseverance and overcoming challenges so it's rewarding, challenges and struggles outside of the game reflect that game loop, and you realise that perseverance and determination are important in life. With the instant gratification generations coming up, we're absolutely seeing mental health issues skyrocketing up, because these kids never played outside and got banged up having fun and still had to get home when the street lights went out like us older generations, they didn't build that mental fortitude and perseverance as kids. For many of them, Elden ring may well be the first time they are exposed to the "rub dirt in it and get up" mentality.

[@thehybrid210]

Amazing video! Another perspective on the dying and trying to retrieve your souls mechanics is that the game offers you the chance to LEARN from your mistakes instead of just punishing you, so you don't die again in that part. It's like the game is saying "hey you messed up, but it's okay, everyone makes mistakes, not all is lost, as long as you learn from failure and improve, get better as a result"

[@dr.extralarge9889]

As someone who had a traumatic injury and still struggling mentally, grandfather getting ill and other stuff I wont mention. Elden Ring has been a new outlet for me and has shown me that I can do anything no matter how tough it seems.

[@Psych_Lore]

Sorry you had to deal with these hard times, it'll get better. Hope you enjoyed the video and thanks for the comment, wishing you the best!

[@lollekompolle]

The Souls series helped me in a lot of ways to overcome my internal monologue, ever since I discovered it back in the day with Dark Souls 1, then going to its predecessor Demon's Souls then DSII and III, Sekiro and now Elden Ring... It, on a regular basis, helps to keep me grounded and calm whenever I start overthinking again and getting anxious. In my opinion there are two things that the game does which fundamentally make the game what it is and result in the effects that it has. First - and foremost the game gives you a real challenge. The game makes sure you know you're up for something really hard and you better expect a lot of setbacks and failure. What this does is, it sets the stage of expecting failure as something normal in the environment you're about to enter. Second - the game never betrays you. Everything that happens is predictable. Something that worked at some point will work again if executed by you in the same way. Whenever something goes wrong it will be pretty easy for you to come to the conclusion that it was due to your own mistakes. With enough time and experience you will come to realize this and what this does is, the game is authentic to you. And this authenticity builds trust with you. You trust in the game and how it works, which is the sole reason for you to happily endure whatever pain is involved for you while playing. It's all really about this in my opinion. Culture of failrue and trust.

[@babloescobango5143]

I can't begin to truly describe how much I needed this video today. Thank you.

[@Psych_Lore]

Any time, hope you get through whatever it is you’re going through. Thanks for commenting, appreciate it

[@Warpded]

I think of this franchise as a series of dances. Learn the dance or perish. Simple as. Learning the dance can be grueling at times, but mastering it is a reward unto itself

[@deadspoonxxx]

I agree, or cheese the dance and decimate. overcome in a matter appropriate, ask for help if you've done all you can to study the steps.

[@starshiiine_]

I was actually thinking about this, and this popped up on my feed. Thank you so much for the video

[@Psych_Lore]

Thanks for watching! I appreciate the comment and I'm happy you enjoyed the vid

[@SearingSeratil]

I just finished my bachelors degree in applied psychology this summer (yay) and I've played the same souls games you have with the addition of DS2. So I was really stoked to see this video pop up in KZbin's recommendations. I think you're really on to something, especially the part of avoidance. You might be familiar with 'Acceptance & Commitment Therapy' or 'ACT' for short. Basically and possibly _badly_ explained: with ACT you help somebody become aware of how they avoid problems and then help them replace that behavior by having strive for a value instead. And I think in Fromsoft games you partially do that first part of ACT: you become aware of your tendency to avoid things but then accept 'the bad thing' and get a massive reward from overcoming it! Usually Fromsoft eases you into that behavior too. A good example I think is in DS1. The very first enemy you face has a simple solution: flee! But afterwards you get a chance to overcome that first obstacle without an escape route and that starts an entire journey where fleeing is never the answer (anymore). Isn't that just the coolest?! Ah oops, long comment. Anyway, cool vid!

[@raymondtendau2749]

After i lost both parents, i got really depressed. I got myself a ps4 2014, i tried out Bloodborne out of curiousity. After i beat bloodborne, i became a huge fan of Fromsoft Games. Looking forward to play Elden Ring too. This game really help me cope with my depression.

[@DasJaegar]

Playing the game made me discover "Gamification", I thought life had to be linear but the side quests are what really prepare for the bosses. I am hand drawing a fantasy map and using a whiteboard to track life's progress. Game saved me from depression and anxiety

[@zachbenimble1932]

Really appreciate your thoughts on the subject. I definitely feel these games have helped me with my own worries, especially after seeing an article about the creators philosophy about showing people that they have potential.

[@Psych_Lore]

Any time, glad these games have helped you with your worries. Hope you enjoyed the video and thanks for your comment

[@whiteboyramen]

You really got me with the parent going to the store analogy and that hooked me into the video

[@thillee8800]

Love this video. The symbolism and metaphors in Dark Souls have really helped me get over a lot.

[@thomascookfyi]

I’ve always STRONGLY felt this way about Soulslike and Fighting games. Nothing compares to overcoming the adversity these 2 genres of of games can throw at you and mature you as a person to take accountability even if it’s just a silly video game. All about perspective🙏

[@grubblewubbles]

I was very happy when you beat malenia at the end, great job

[@UncleRico-bl2xo]

Never thought to look at games from a therapeutic perspective. Great video, keep’em coming!

[@Psych_Lore]

Thanks for the comment, glad you’re liking the content! Will do!

[@Mistarpotato]

SoulsGames really helps me to take a different approach to something and try out multiple approaches to a problem instead of having only one single take on it, it has also really helped me to remain patient and humble.

[@mr.tacocat8279]

I can also say that before I played the Souls games, I was in an mentaldown-state. But the Souls games really taught me, that nothing will work perfecly as planed. YOU need to improve on yourself if you want to change something. Failling is ok, as long as you learn from your mistakes and improve upon them and it is no shame to ask outhers for help, because someday you can help outhers. Just keep fighting and never ever give up

[@Psych_Lore]

Love this, glad you're doing okay now. Thanks for the comment and hope you enjoyed the vid!

[@sharafbtw]

I'm planning on becoming a therapist in my future and after beating the dlc and seeing this video, it was a good watch, loved it!

[@Psych_Lore]

Glad you enjoyed the video and I wish you luck in your academic/professional journey. Thanks for the comment!

[@Neuquruca]

thanks man this was excellent I needed some sort of confirmation during these hard times...keep up the good work

[@Psych_Lore]

Thank you for watching! Glad you enjoyed the vid and thanks for the comment, wishing you the best and I hope that things get better!

[@druminusr1968]

Wooooooo that final malenia run 👌👏👏👏

[@inspiredglue2056]

I was genuinely shocked when I saw you only have 27 subscribers. How? This is great content that deserves so much more. Keep going if you enjoy it!

[@Psych_Lore]

I appreciate the comment, this is my first video I've done in this style so the nice comments are great to hear. Glad you enjoyed the video, and thanks again for your comment

[@BorisBidjanSaberi11]

I think this game builds resilience and a sense of hard work pays off

[@SaHaRaSquad]

What Souls games taught me most is how much one's mindset matters. After beating my first Souls game I could feel in real time how my perception of the game's difficulty massively changed simply from the knowledge that I had indeed finished it. Also the games are designed to force a certain cautious, patient playstyle on you and if you're not prepared to learn and try to rush you're going to fail and see no progress as bosses rarely let you beat them just with luck. So beating a boss feels like an actual achievement. I don't know if the games actually changed my life but I definitely feel like they're the games that provided the most value to me.

[@Matte957]

Something that stood out to me is that many comments are people saying souls games saved their life when they were at their worst. Even when we're at our worst, we can still persevere. Even when it seems all is lost, we have perseverance to help us through to accomplishments. Whether that's a boss or working through addiction, grief, etc., we have the capability to persevere.

[@sarthakvinchurkar]

Thank you for this video. This is important

[@ryanl483]

Focus, determination, consistency and commitment. These games help to cultivate all of these things. I wouldn't go so far as to say it saved my life, but it formed part of my development. I'd recently had a mental health breakdown and I needed to focus on resilience and consistency. This became integral to that. Also, you have a nice voice.

[@kekhator]

I found the video to be great. As a mental health therapist and an experienced gamer, I have been able to overcome various challenges in different games, including King's Field, which I played as a child. I often use video games as a distraction technique to escape from the stresses of reality. The thrill of exploring new worlds provides a therapeutic escapism for me. I have successfully completed a majority of Fromsoft games, but Sekiro proved to be particularly stressful.

[@real23lions]

I’m going through a tough part of my life for the past few years. I played Dark Souls 1 last year and it’s been helping. It taught me about gut gud and jolly cooperation. Sunbro for life. ❤

[@Psych_Lore]

Haha happy for you, glad you're finding something that helps you during a tough time. Hope you enjoyed the video and thanks for commenting

[@AgeOfDanarchy]

I beat all other souls borne games but Elden Ring took a while to cool for me. The open world felt bloated compared to older games and Margott was rekting my shit. I put the game down for a while, and I mean a while. I’m now level 91 and I’m in love. The sense of wonder and tranquillity I feel in those quiet moments is the same level of joy when I beat a boss that’s been manhandling me. I’m in love and I discovered my old skills. I can’t stop and you’re right, in an uneasy time it’s been one of the main things, if not the thing I can control and escape. I’m in awe how good this game is. And thank you for this video

[@AKAKeyz]

what a great great great combination of content - video games & psychology. super relaxing, enjoyable to listen to & watch, teaches us about ourselves & others without us really realizing! thanks a lot! please please keep it up!!

[@MachineKarma]

I've started noticing lately that getting over something tough has made me feel more motivated lately to go to the gym or maybe be a little less lazy/procrastinating. This was a great video and made me think differently on how games like ER could help people find motivation in real life.

[@Psych_Lore]

Glad you're able to find motivation through tough times, that's difficult for most people. Thanks for your comment and I'm glad you liked the video!

[@Wonkess_Chonkess]

The part about adhd hits home haha. I can't concentrate at all when it's something work or schoolrelated but when I'm fighting a difficult boss I can hardly hear my surroundings that's how focused I am.

[@yogieman23]

Great video, especially since I'm a psych undergrad nearing graduation and possibly hoping to be in the same career! I genuinely love souls games and their simulation of struggle to victory that can easily be translayed to real-life goals.

[@catboynestormakhno2694]

ive gotten over the anger part in soulsborn games, it took a while but its made me a calmer person in general

[@blurry1k]

really good video, was listening to it in the background as I was playing the dlc keep up the great work

[@Psych_Lore]

Thanks for the comment and glad you enjoyed the video!

[@scehr]

I was a melancholy teen when Dark Souls 1 released. The loneliness and the struggles of that world were familiar to me but victory and achievement from it gave me a lot of joy and helped to balance my general contentment in life.

[@homunculus6557]

As a fellow psychotherapist I cant agree more on how good fromsoft games are for mental heath. Its a great self help tool thanks to the aspects related to CBT as you describe, but also its a perfect therapeutic tool to use in psychotherapy if the client plays these games. You can use its ambiguous story telling as a free association tool if you work with psychodynamic approach, you can help a perfectionist client for gaining ability to request help in times hardship using summons as a metaphore or searching advices from other players, you can focus on their coping strategies by analysing the way the cope with bosses that seem impossible to beat, but in fact is possible if you are creative. The fact that these games provide open ended challenges similar to actual life conflicts, makes them a safe space to explore, play with, and have mastery on struggles that leads to mental health problems.

[@lilyrainne3233]

Very good analysis and video essay explaining everything behind it lol. Psychology is a field where I'm really interested to learn more about it in an academic setting, and seeing the connection between that and Souls games are interesting. It definitely did change my mindset for the better.

[@Psych_Lore]

Appreciate it! Glad your mindset changed for the better, and wish you luck on the Psych journey. Thanks for commenting!

[@samb123078]

I just beat the last boss of the Elden ring dlc after being stuck for four days. Tried everything, but my last run I finally did it. Changed loadouts at least 20 times. I recorded it and only took 2 minutes, but those two minutes felt like an hour. I was so focused. I was in the zone like never before. I was going through a nasty divorce when Bloodbourne came out. And it got me hooked. These games definitely saved me. The lesson in all of them: sometimes you have to chip away at your problem. Learn from your mistakes, ask for help, adapt to the challenges, restraint yourself. If you do all that you will git gud eventually

[@Dkrmaobw]

Wow. Amazing analysis on a topic so important in todays society! Looking forward to the next video

[@Psych_Lore]

Thanks for the comment, glad you enjoyed the video

[@panczaki9084]

I like how in 0:36 there is Daryl's video on how Soul Games saves you. +Resp for this, awe inspiring video

[@Psych_Lore]

@@panczaki9084 thank you, appreciate the comment!

[@ElBoyoElectronico]

DS2 really helped me during a time where I was struggling with CRPS and couldn’t use my right foot.

[@Psych_Lore]

Glad you were able to find something to help you during that time, hope you're doing okay now. Thanks for the comment and hope you enjoyed the video

[@dustinbaconflipper]

I've known one person in my circle with CRPS and have been wanting to help them with the condition. How did it feel for you when you were playing/ focusing on something else? I understand that the pain can be overwhelming and debilitating. Did putting your focus on something else help with the pain? or did you need other interventions while playing? Sorry If it seems like I'm prying: even though I myself don't have CRPS, I've seen the world of hell it puts people through and can't help but want to help.

[@ElBoyoElectronico]

@@dustinbaconflipper I was very active (hiking, climbing, weight lifting, etc.) before my climbing injury and I developed a „mild“ case of CRPS during the healing process of the original injury. My biggest problems were the swelling and the skin irritation and while pain was mostly mild when resting it was quite very severe when I tried to use my foot. Playing fast paced video games helped my to take my mind off the pain and forget about my limitations. What helped me the most was getting a good doctor and a good physiotherapist. The thing about CRPS is taking things extremely slow and stopping when the pain gets worse. Also, light walking in water (hydro therapy) and a lot of icing helped with the swelling. I had to use crutches for 3 years and nowadays (~10y later) I can do almost everything I did before, even a little bit of climbing. But I have to be careful, as the right foot will always be prone to developing CRPS again.

[@ElBoyoElectronico]

@@dustinbaconflipper Also, the friends that were the biggest help, were the ones who would just pick me up with a car (as I couldn’t go far with my crutches) and took me out to see movies, concerts and do things that I still was able to do. And just being patient and accepting is an important quality of friends in that situation. I was so annoyed by the pain that friends who made me forget about the pain for a bit were a great gift.

[@dustinbaconflipper]

@@ElBoyoElectronico I see. Thank you for sharing! Glad you were able to find your way through this, and as for your input on the friend circle: That's amazing to hear! Again, thank you so much for sharing! Your insight means a lot to me

[@mendrizzle7591]

Not only is Elden Ring the best game of all time. It possibly has the best community of all time as well. I can get lost in these types of videos for hours. Thanks for the awesome content. Hope to see more man.

[@Psych_Lore]

Glad you enjoyed the video, thanks for the comment

[@teletubbyfan8209]

there is nothing that matches the feeling of finally beating the boss youve been stuck on for so many attempts. even watching you finally beat malenia. such joy

[@crazymage5316]

Souls games have taught me to keep trying any obstacles can be over comed

[@Nullifier1998]

"Don't you dare go hollow" Best quote ever.

[@cayben7253]

Such an interesting perspective, this video will shurely blow up 👌

[@Psych_Lore]

Honestly wasn't expecting it haha. Thanks for the comment and hope you enjoyed the video

[@theCHEATER141]

I love how the Melania fight in the background fits so well with the theme!

[@BoontarikaSripom]

Love this pairing with CBT! Im thinking of making a video in terms of archetypes and the personal unconscious. Love that your video was suggested. *bows to Elden Lord* im still learning how to play. This is my forst Souls game. Wishing your channel more success!

[@tomscade]

Isshiin in Sekiro was the most rewarding and difficult for me because that dude forced me to stop games for a year then come back for him. Its weird because after done once with such difficulty, the next times went so smoothly. Those games make us like Golllum, we hate them and love them so much at the same time...

[@Psych_Lore]

Facts! Thanks for the comment and hope you enjoyed the video

[@dustinbaconflipper]

I've become a better person thanks to these games. The story, the music, and of course: The challenge. " Embrace the suck, acknowledge your feelings and accept them: The pain, sadness, depression, anxiety, feeling like a failure and a disappointment: Allow yourself to process these feelings in full force. Now that some time has passed: get up and move forward. No matter what, just keep moving forward. Whether that be trying the same thing again and again or taking a different approach or something entirely different: Keep moving forward. You can choose to carry these feelings and experiences, or you can choose to leave them behind. Keep. Moving. Forward. "

[@Psych_Lore]

Glad you were able to become a better person period, and I love the quote. Always say to never push or hold onto your emotions. Thanks for the comment and hope you enjoyed the video

[@ikersistem9633]

Great video dude deserves more views

[@Psych_Lore]

Glad you enjoyed the video, thanks for your comment!

[@avowedny]

i feel like these games can give people confidence. like i’ve had times where i’ve faced a challenge and thought “i’ve beaten elden ring/DS1/bloodborne/sekiro. i can handle this.”

[@Jacob-hr6bq]

Loved this video. I appreciate your perspective on the mental health side of the fromsoft games.

[@Psych_Lore]

Thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed and I appreciate the comment, you should check out my other vids and stay tuned for more content!

[@lryprty]

this is an amazing video. i hope this gets 10 million views.

[@Psych_Lore]

Glad you enjoyed the video, thank you for the comment!

[@shiretsu]

these games have such unique and masterfully crafted gameplay loops. I think we get addicted for slightly different reasons tho. the quickest way to lose interest in a game is to beat it. we don't truly want the reward, we want the struggle for the reward. we really get the joy out of trying over and over and over. the feeling we get when we do get a reward from a hard boss is great but as anyone can tell you very fleeting. our dopamine is actually spiking when we're in the process of working for the kill, unsure if we'll make it or not. you'll feel the most hooked when you're out of flasks and the boss has 1 more hit left, not when you've beaten it. if you get one of those scenarios, good luck stopping there! this is evident when you consider that on a first playthrough we don't even know what the reward for each boss is. it's not what's behind the drive. a lot of the time the reward is totally irrelevant to our character or how we wish to play. we only want them because we don't have them yet, therefore we are driven by the challenge of continuing to collect as the difficulty and thus uncertainty of our success gets higher and higher. because the games' balancing is so well tuned, we get just strong enough to keep up. tl;dr we love the suffering and lack, not the rewards

[@sapphicquartz]

Personally soulsborne and challenging games is the only place that i feel like i'm good at something while still powerless Achievement without requirement

[@danielsatter1805]

I believe that if you're going through a hard time and you end up playing one of these games and stick with it and you see your yourself overcome these challenges, it relates to the tough time you're going through and shows you that you have it within you to overcome challenge altogether. The accomplishment can also be a bright spot in an otherwise crap day.

[@Psych_Lore]

Couldn't have said it better myself, thanks for commenting and hope you enjoyed the video

[@danielsatter1805]

@ShuriffDumian I think you did bro. I just gave the cliff notes version. I was taken back the first time I heard someone say a FromSoftware gave helped them out of a depression but it made sense. My problem is that I only want to exist digitally. Not a fan of reality. 1/10 don't recommend it 😅

[@nemesis135]

As any good game, souls make you forget about the world as you concentrate on fighting enemies but also the reward of defeating enemies feels amazing. I have depression and have been struggling with self-sabotage, one day I decided that I wanted to actually finish games because in the past I always dropped them, I couldnt remember ever finishing a game. I started playing hollow knight and ds1 and finished those 2, im currently almost done with ds3 and it has helped me realize that im capable of doing the things that I want to do. Also feeling capable has translated into my academic life, I no longer fall into the trap of not trying and sabotaging myself because I feel like I will fail. I love that its not a rare experience with this types of games and I love that people can better themselves while also enjoying the process

[@adawg3032]

The thing about souls games is that the best thing a player can have is skill. The player in reality is what is leveling up, alongside the player character in the game.

[@iantierney6905]

I learned to readapt ,change from what builds I was used to,and learn to use new builds,employ them and relearn from the bottom again,using new weapons and new spell work

[@DyeScreaming]

Seems like starting from nothing with a world full of brutal and necessary challenges is a good picture of life. Learning how to overcome things and patterns that work can directly translate to personal growth. Achievement and confidence build the same way. Venturing out of the safe zones are like leaving the comfort zone. Establishing goals is forced to become manageable. Limitless ways to approach things also translates. Pretty much just reinforcement of useful life skills and mental fortitude. 👍

[@skinnytimmy1]

Nameless king was awesome. I had to literally step out of my shell, and take off my shield to beat him.

[@Psych_Lore]

One of my favorites. Thanks for the comment and hope you enjoyed the video

[@ryanwalker5723]

The motivation bit you mentioned is relatable. Even five years ago, I was eager to grind out +4hrs on a boss. Now I wonder if that time and determination would be better channeled somewhere else. It's oddly a newer phenomenon for me. I love Nioh 2 to the core, but Elden Ring, for whatever reason, didn't scratch the itch in the same way.

[@WattsOnTheMind]

9:13 Those "thinking traps" is what Mark Manson refers to as "The feedback loop from hell." He describes is as this. "You get anxious qabout confronting somebody in your life. That anxiety cripples you and you start wondering why you're so anxious. Now you're becoming anxious about being anxious. Doubly anxious! Now you're anxious about your anxiety, which is xausing more anxiety."

[@17een]

Currently playing DS3, started in a difficult period of life and yes souls game change the way you think. With my first character i was in an avoiding combat mindset always in fear of being defeated, bosses even some mobs seemed invicible that i was saying myself "there's no way to get through" Now playing on my 3rd character and going through fights like a madman knowing that no matter how powerful the obstacle is, it has a weak point. And in most cases the weak point is yourself. Dark Souls learned me again that defeat and failure are the key factor to success.

[@Psych_Lore]

Yup, success doesn't come overnight and there's always going to be failure or bumps along the way. Thanks for the comment and hope you enjoyed the video!

[@geddon436]

Reading through these comments and listening to your video...........I didn't think of the possibility of these games teaching patience, and getting people out of depression,