Developing OCD symptoms by gaming?

[HTBandicoot]

Recently, I have observed that I have developed certain symptoms when it comes to gaming. With games involving progress, I feel the need to continue thinking about them to where it interferes with my daily life. This happens more often when I can't complete a mission and it drives me crazy until I finally overcome it. However, it also happens after good gaming sessions too.
I recently cut down to just focusing on one game mainly, because I would just do a little in many games. This has helped me to see more progress, but it may also cause me to fixate more which can be a negative thing. So maybe the solution is to mix it up with chill games with no goal in mind. That or take a break to rid myself of the extra dopamine, idk.

I also see this in daily tasks or chores. If there is something in the house that needs to be fixed, and I can't do something about it, it causes worry and anxiety. Or sometimes I'll try many things and still not be able to fix it, and this also creates anxiety.

I don't see myself as someone that has to collect every item or get every trophy, as im not skilled for that. But this does feel like it borders on OCD, and its causing some feelings that can lead to depression, etc. Can anyone relate?

 

[bjork]

I personally can't, but I think taking a break is probably in order. You've discussed something similar in the past and I can't say I'm smart enough to diagnose anything, but if something is bringing you stress and you can pinpoint it like that, slow it up a bit and see if anything changes. If not, maybe make an appointment to talk to someone? Could be as small as needing a prescription to address anything you've got going on. Good luck, though!

 

[job32]

Yeah, take a break for a while and if you want to go back to it, maybe just do one game at a time. I would avoid any prescriptions. They bring their own problems. Eat well, exercise, rest, meditate, whatever chills you out.

 

[RageBurner]

People have already given good advice, and I do think focusing on one game at a time (and in smaller doses) is the best approach.

A lot of it can be about control, and the less you try to do at once, the more control you'll have because focus is a limited resource, and concentrating on one thing at a time yields the best results.

 

[Boo Man]

i cant really play crash bandicoot games anymore because my OCD demands i get every single box on the level and get the silver gem ><

 

[HTBandicoot]

Yeah, I have cut down to one game recently. Even then I have a problem because I want to come back to it more often and I fixate on making progress.

 

[RageBurner]

Maybe sorting out your goals in game by placing them elsewhere, like a scrapbook will help you think about them less.

Actualize them on paper, solidify what you want to do when you are able. Your notes won't just fly off, so you can rest easy to focus on other things; it will be waiting for you when you return.

 

[Questless Knight]

Breaks are always good, read for 20 min or take a 15 min walk a shower. Mean try to get your head wined down a bit. Also taking a walk or a shower and let you freely think an see if you can get it out if you system. Some times I just lie in bed steer at the cling and think.


I was almost about to give you another answer when I read the topic I was yeah man I feel like I developed some for of OCD just when it comes to games. Like take games that has base building man I devloped an OCD that get me pissed of if I can´t build on a VERY flat spot because building on uneven spaces pisses me of how bad it look half the foundation clips in to the ground the other half just full out in open it looks so dumb.

Or how i messy inventory gives me anxiety but at the same time I collect EVERY thing like Jesus im a loot goblin.

Then I read the post and got like ah okey time to not make a fool out my self and talk serious.

 

[TruxtonTatsujin]

I also have pretty severe OCD. The obvious advice is to try and do something that takes your mind of it, but that's easier said then done and has never worked for me. Once the OCD is triggered there's not an easy way out of it, so my advice it to try and stay away from things that trigger it in the first place.
I also keep to one game at the time, because once I start it I must 100% to the best of my ability. Once I'm satisfied I move on to the next game when I feel I'm in a good spot mentally to undertake it.

 

[Izzy]

Recently, I have observed that I have developed certain symptoms when it comes to gaming. With games involving progress, I feel the need to continue thinking about them to where it interferes with my daily life. This happens more often when I can't complete a mission and it drives me crazy until I finally overcome it. However, it also happens after good gaming sessions too.
I recently cut down to just focusing on one game mainly, because I would just do a little in many games. This has helped me to see more progress, but it may also cause me to fixate more which can be a negative thing. So maybe the solution is to mix it up with chill games with no goal in mind. That or take a break to rid myself of the extra dopamine, idk.

I also see this in daily tasks or chores. If there is something in the house that needs to be fixed, and I can't do something about it, it causes worry and anxiety. Or sometimes I'll try many things and still not be able to fix it, and this also creates anxiety.

I don't see myself as someone that has to collect every item or get every trophy, as im not skilled for that. But this does feel like it borders on OCD, and its causing some feelings that can lead to depression, etc. Can anyone relate?

No, can't say I do. Let's see, what has video games done for me; it has done the following, they made me feel better about myself especially in RPGs where what you do does affect the current situation you're tasked with, mainly saving the world in whatever way possible. They also help me to improve my focus because of that, in its own way, it did help improve my vocabulary. They've helped many of time especially when there was a death in the family, it just gave me a full or partial out. Through playing them, it gave me a voice. My Youtube channel is proof of that. I found a way to help people in a sense that deems itself useful and I enjoy doing it and on top of all that, they kept me from being a full-blown menace to society.
I do think you need to take a few steps back and let yourself breathe if this keeps up at this rate cause all that does it create stress for yourself and that kills you faster than any weapon or disease on Earth. I know I'm not gonna actually save the world cause there are some people that want to see it burn sometimes but that's their problem, not mine.

 

[DanVzare]

Recently, I have observed that I have developed certain symptoms when it comes to gaming.

Take this with a pinch of salt (I have no expertise in the area), but from what you've described, it sounds more likely that your symptoms are the result of something else in your life, rather than a cause of gaming itself. They're just manifesting in your gaming habits.

Is there anything else that is leading to your depression? Do you feel as though you have a lack of control in your personal life?
You might be using games as an unhealthy outlet, rather than dealing with the core issues.

 

[freebie#47]

I didn't developed it by playing games....I was born with it, or it manifested when I was young before video games existed.

 

[RanmyakuIchi's icon RanmyakuIchi RanmyakuIchi]

I used to be pretty bad with this myself when I was younger during my teenage years, but I got better about it as I got older.

 

[job32]

Age definitely fixes the problem. I never really had this exact issue because you could only afford one or two games at a time. I did want to root out every bit of the game on my first run because I wasn't going to do a second run. Now I kind of download games that I like the sound of knowing, the moment it pisses me off I'll probably shelve it. It is a rare game these days that can hold my interest. The problem is I am chasing the dragon, in looking for that rare game. Erra, whatever you do, mind your health and your mental health because it's not real life on the screen.

 

[JackNoir413]

there's no issue with playing one game at a time. i used to play several games at the same time but just got pissed off cause i could never finished any of them :p. i focus on one even if its a long jrpg and in those cases i spend my days off making progress unless i have plans or something.
remember that gaming hard is all about HAVING FUN and not about stressing out. at that point just get another hobby. its ok to take forever to beat one game as long as you like the game, and remember that the dangers of an increasing backlog are all in your mind. no one is paying you to beat games.

so its not about playing chill games inbetween, but about playing all games in a chill way. stay cool and drink water.