"I have suicidal depression—and board games saved my life"

[IContainMultitudes]

I thought anyone here who has a special interest that helps them manage depression and/or anxiety would appreciate this:

http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2016/05/i-have-suicidal-depression-and-board-games-saved-my-life/

If you're interested in gaming at all and there's any kind of board/card gaming group near you, I highly recommend it as an aspie-friendly form of socialization.

I like this passage a lot, it touches upon some reasons why gaming is so appealing for many aspies:

Board games give me something that little else does. They give freedom within a constructed framework; players are given the social space to bounce off each other like carnival bumper cars, while remaining safe and bounded. Everyone jockeys to achieve something—whether to become king, to solve the puzzle, or to save the world. The objectives and rules form a kind of joyous arena in a 1990’s-style Gladiator gameshow where the players and walls are covered in brightly colored padding. In your game you might be trying to brutally murder another player’s character, but the game will always make sure that everyone is having fun, that everyone is safe. Every rule is a safety net, letting you walk the tightrope without fear. To someone terrified and unable to deal with social situations, this web of gameplay and rules can be an unbelievable gift.

 

[Jonathan Lees]

yeah i love board games and i agree that it is a very aspie friendly form of socialization, i go to two different groups, mainly to the board game group at my university where ill be on the committee next year. i encourage other aspies to check it out.

 

[hiraeth]

That was so helpful and inspiring.... thanks

It’s hard to express in words, but after years of literally nothing less than constant, all-pervading mental agony, it meant so much to me to be able to... not feel that? To experience something good? The closest word I can find for it was “love.” Giddy, goofy-grinning love, being unlocked from the black hole of my terrified mind by cardboard and plastic and rules, combining to connect me to the friends I had missed so very, very badly.

So relatable.

 

[wanderer03]

As a child, I used board games to stave off loneliness so I can easily relate. I used my stuffed animal, a seal, as the opposing player. Such a fond memory because a stuffed animal never judges.

 

[buttercuplols]

As a child, I used board games to stave off loneliness so I can easily relate. I used my stuffed animal, a seal, as the opposing player. Such a fond memory because a stuffed animal never judges.

I LOVE this! Every time I go away from home overnight Chimpy accompanies me. We play cards after everyone else has gone to bed to wind down from socialising. She's my stuffed monkey from when I was a kid. I'll be 30 this year!

 

[wanderer03]

I LOVE this! Every time I go away from home overnight Chimpy accompanies me. We play cards after everyone else has gone to bed to wind down from socialising. She's my stuffed monkey from when I was a kid. I'll be 30 this year!

And if this works for you, absolutely do it! Don't let anyone tell you that this is babyish or immature. It is hard enough being on the spectrum so if you've found something that is therapeutic, I am happy for you.

 

[buttercuplols]

Indeed. Generally I'm not good at sleeping and this little ritual has helped for years when away with strange smells and textured bedsheets etc doing my head in. Quite new to this site and I'm really enjoying hearing everyone's stories and quirks. I fully enbrace my odd behaviour as much as possible and my friends have followed suit. If they don't then I don't keep them around anymore. I wasted too much time on that as a youngster!