There was another thread on here that was asking how we discovered New Leaf, and I shared my story about how I found it and read some reviews on it. The reviews that caught my attention the most were ones by users talking about how New Leaf helped them deal with things such as anxiety or depression. I've also seen it mentioned around the forums here a few times. Not too often, but a few. While the game itself seemed right up my alley (due to my loving animals and liking games you can customize a lot), the comments about the game helping with anxiety and such really sealed the deal for me.
Since I really don't see this topic mentioned too often around here, I thought I'd make a thread just to see if any of you wanted to open up with your experiences with New Leaf and if the game helps you cope with anxiety, depression, or really any mental illness that troubles you. I know it's something hard to talk about, as it's a sensitive subject for some people, but I thought maybe we could kind of...come together and talk about it.
I'll start with what I've experienced with New Leaf so far - While there are times I do get caught up in the worries of making a perfect town and all, I find that even with those worries, it still serves as a good distraction from the things in real life that are stressing me out and making me nervous. When I'm depressed, talking to my favorite villagers makes me smile. The next thing I know, the night has passed by and my anxieties lessen for a while and I feel less depressed. The game gives me something to really focus on and work to, and by setting up different tasks for myself, it really helps to really get my mind only on that and I think less of my troubles. I really can say that it's done a lot, even if temporarily, to help get me though tough times. It's not a permanent solution to my depression or anxiety, but having my own little world where I'm the mayor to escape to makes me happy.
So for any of you who are struggling with any kind of mental illness, do you find that New Leaf helps you cope a little bit better? If so I'd really love to hear your stories. It's nice not to feel alone.
If this topic is inappropriate or in the wrong forum, I apologize in advance.
Since I really don't see this topic mentioned too often around here, I thought I'd make a thread just to see if any of you wanted to open up with your experiences with New Leaf and if the game helps you cope with anxiety, depression, or really any mental illness that troubles you. I know it's something hard to talk about, as it's a sensitive subject for some people, but I thought maybe we could kind of...come together and talk about it.
I'll start with what I've experienced with New Leaf so far - While there are times I do get caught up in the worries of making a perfect town and all, I find that even with those worries, it still serves as a good distraction from the things in real life that are stressing me out and making me nervous. When I'm depressed, talking to my favorite villagers makes me smile. The next thing I know, the night has passed by and my anxieties lessen for a while and I feel less depressed. The game gives me something to really focus on and work to, and by setting up different tasks for myself, it really helps to really get my mind only on that and I think less of my troubles. I really can say that it's done a lot, even if temporarily, to help get me though tough times. It's not a permanent solution to my depression or anxiety, but having my own little world where I'm the mayor to escape to makes me happy.
So for any of you who are struggling with any kind of mental illness, do you find that New Leaf helps you cope a little bit better? If so I'd really love to hear your stories. It's nice not to feel alone.
If this topic is inappropriate or in the wrong forum, I apologize in advance.