Doctor's Orders: Play more X-wing!

By dewbie420, in X-Wing

Um... I wonder if we could make X-Wing tax deductible as a form of private therapy? ;)

Get the government to pay for our plastic crack? Sounds like a plan to me.

Um... I wonder if we could make X-Wing tax deductible as a form of private therapy? ;)

Get the government to pay for our plastic crack? Sounds like a plan to me.

Maybe even get my insurance to pay for it. it still has to be cheaper then what big Pharma charges for wonder drugs.

Um... I wonder if we could make X-Wing tax deductible as a form of private therapy? ;)

Get the government to pay for our plastic crack? Sounds like a plan to me.

Um... I wonder if we could make X-Wing tax deductible as a form of private therapy? ;)

Get the government to pay for our plastic crack? Sounds like a plan to me.

Maybe even get my insurance to pay for it. it still has to be cheaper then what big Pharma charges for wonder drugs.

I have depression as well and I did try medication. My doctor had me on something that was working really well but then my new insurance wouldn't cover it, probably because they were getting kickbacks from a different Big Pharm. I couldn't afford it so I was put on another drug which the side effect 'increased suicidal thoughts' slowly hit me to the point where I caught myself actually setting a firm plan in place to minimize the impact of my death on others around me so I immediately stopped taking it. Unfortunately it seems more and more like insurance and Big Pharma are working together so outlets and natural remedies that are actually helpful but aren't in a pill or other form that is lining their pockets in some way are never covered like they should be. As a son of a former Pharmacist and having an Uncle who was a pediatrician I've heard and seen stories first hand of how Insurance companies are only in it for themselves and at times been more of a hindrance then a help. Maybe if FFG started kicking some money their way. ;)

X-Wing has helped me deal with my depression and while it's not curing it certainly helps takes some of the darker edge off as does playing tabletop RPGs.

From 05 thru 2013, I lost 7 family members including both of my parents and my wife. Lost jobs twice in that period. Like some others here I was on the dark edge. Fortunately I have two good friends. One I game with twice a week, the other just by being a friend. I don't think they know how much they have helped.

I think gaming helps in two ways. The first, it gets out among friends. Just being around people who care for you makes a big difference. It keeps you from stewing in your own juices and thinking darker thoughts.

The second is escapism. For a couple of hours each week you can be someone else. Whether it's an A-wing pilot zipping around our 9 square foot universe or a thief in an RPG game doesn't matter. It allows that part of the brain that we normally can't shut off to rest.

If the demands of life and family allow it, try and schedule a weekly game time. Even if it's only two or three hours. Grab a pizza and a couple of Pepsis and game. Preferably with friends. Try and stay away from WAAC holes and others that would cause you grief.

Nerds rule.

I've dealt with depression/anxiety for some time and I've found that playing a game of X-wing calms me down and really lifts my spirits unlike anything else. After telling my doctor, counselor and psychiatrist that during X-wing 'downtime', I experience increased symptoms- all 3 instructed me to "play everyday".

I avoid perscription meds and I'm attracted to natural remedies so this is great news for me and my player friends. I plan on playing as much as possible now... for my health!

Anybody else out there get major therapuetic benefits from this awesome miniatures game (or other games)?

I think any other Star Wars game would be great medicine too.

I particularly enjoy combining a particular "natural remedy" with x wing, though sometimes it slows me down and I forget stuff

Talking to people, being out of your house are all good things for mental health. I would follow that prescription!!

What state you in?

My best friend hit a low a couple days ago, pushing the edge of wanting to kill himself, and admitted himself to the hospital. After he was admitted to the hospital, whats the first thing i hear from him?

"I wanna play X-Wing."

I pack up my stuff and head to the hospital and played him today. He laughed the whole time. I cried in the car but i'm glad that my stupid hobby could bring him some happiness again. I've been there, and i wish i had a thing like X-Wing back then.

The way i see it, if X-Wing can save even one life, it must be good.

Talking to people, being out of your house are all good things for mental health. I would follow that prescription!!

What state you in?

I've dealt with depression/anxiety for some time and I've found that playing a game of X-wing calms me down and really lifts my spirits unlike anything else. After telling my doctor, counselor and psychiatrist that during X-wing 'downtime', I experience increased symptoms- all 3 instructed me to "play everyday".

I avoid perscription meds and I'm attracted to natural remedies so this is great news for me and my player friends. I plan on playing as much as possible now... for my health!

Anybody else out there get major therapuetic benefits from this awesome miniatures game (or other games)?

I think any other Star Wars game would be great medicine too.

I particularly enjoy combining a particular "natural remedy" with x wing, though sometimes it slows me down and I forget stuff

I'm in Washington, so yeah, NATURAL remedies are easily accessed.

I did that (particular remedy) yesterday at a tournament and forgot my Determination upgrade, lost the game. If I had remembered, I would have won one match and got back my entry fee via store credit... But I had a blast, made new friends and I feel better.

Edited by dewbie420

Gaming has been around thousands years and serves the same purpose now as it did then, a brief break from the routine of our lives that demands your full attention. It is in our DNA. Gaming has always had a therapeutic effect on me, and Xwing even more so as it seems to attract mellow players.

I'm also happy seeing people on the forums here discussing their depression. Depression feeds and grows in darkness. Putting it into the light can help reverse that.

Had a follow up appointment at doctors yesterday, and yep he pretty much said the same thing. More fun games = happier mental state, who knew