AC and mental health issues.

[visibleghost]

it used to help because i really love animal crossing, and playing the game made me happier, but lately i've found myself not having energy or motivation do to anything, including playing animal crossing. i sound so depressing but yeahh smh...

 

[Classygirl]

I find it helps as well, I have a chronic and really hard to deal with disabling genetic disease but it's the same as far as helping cope and escape all the stress of it when I can, and so etching to do and be there when aim lonely or can't get out..It does get frustrating at times so I am glad I am done dream questing I don't like the anxiety of having different towns out of synch with IRL time by years so I working on moving ahead each town after someone asks to go and I deny and that will take a lot of stress away. And depression comes and goes a lot with chronic illness especially when things happen like my fianc? leaving or family not understanding or just stress from it. I am planning to start a town current time on the first and really work on getting all the villagers pictures, and badges, and collections over time I like having goals. I think once I get al my towns caught up in time as it makes me so anxious to skip so far ahead like they really care I fell behind and have to jump..then the anxiety from it will lessen like it did when I finished dream seeking..But yes it has helped me a lot too, especially when I can't be so active.

 

[Rabirin]

It really does help. The animals always make me feel loved and appreciated when I feel like nobody out there cares and they always make me feel like somebody cares about me. It also helps me to relax when i'm feeling anxious about something. AC helps me to forget all my worries.

 

[Amilee]

i always play it when i have a bad phase of my depression.
it really helps me and i don't feel that useless for just laying in bed all day ^^
and when i don't have motivation to do anything it helps me to get more motivated.
my villagers are just so cute and cheer me up a lot <3

 

[Beardo]

The games music is definitely a big part of why I love it so much. Marine Song 2001 and Stale Cupcakes are really calming for me. Plus, the 1 AM music when it's snowing is just so gorgeous.

 

[Munna]

It helps me too. I get a lot of social isolation when I have both physical & mental health problems, and the friendships I make with the villagers mean the world to me.
AC kept me sane. I owe the creators a lot. I hope Iwata knows how many people these games have helped. I'm sure he does.

- - - Post Merge - - -

I made a thread about pretty much this a couple weeks ago. I play to help ease my anxiety and depression, and it's also become quite a cure for my loneliness, as my villagers are so sweet they've become like friends. This game really does work wonders to help me cope.

I just saw your signature asking not to be thumbs up...just after I did it. I am so sorry!

 

[MayorOfMoonbeam]

I definitely feel like my mental health is improved because of Animal Crossing! It's so calming and serene to catch the fish and bugs. If I'm feeling stressed or anxious, I can pull out my 3DS and I'm in my own safe little world. I've gotten pretty attached to my villagers and sometimes they say something funny or sweet things that turns my whole day around.

 

[Nimega]

I must have told this story a million times already, but I don't mind on telling it once more. When I found out my grandfather had died, I was on a road trip. After the initial crying, and still in a deep shock, all I could do was playing. When I entered the game, I saw all my little friends being nice to me, being happy, and living their lifes as usual. And then I realised that, no matter what happens, life still goes on.

 

[teanigami]

I started having chronic migraines at a young age and now it's really difficult for me to deal with it. I'm always in some sort of head/neck/stomach pain and when it doesn't let up for several hours, I feel depressed, anxious and useless. I can't always use my 3DS during a migraine, but when I feel depressed and hopeless about my future because of migraines, it helps me stop worrying for a while and gives me something cheerful to think about.

 

[ams]

I definitely play it to cope with stress!