▲ | ajb 16 hours ago | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
I have heard two theories on how to treat anxiety: 1) Paul Gilbert's theory that the brain's 'threat system' is overdeveloped and the 'soothing system' underdeveloped, and the right treatment is to stimulate the 'soothing system'. 2) Steven Quartz' theory that the brain's evaluation of risk has become distorted, and that the right treatment is any form of 'risky play' that you can tolerate; with an emphasis on being able to feel you've achieved something after taking (reasonable) risks. (Both of these are about how you reduce anxiety in the long term, not how you cope with it if you're overwhelmed in the moment). Video games could in theory work for either - but not the same ones. Under the second theory, coziness may work in the moment, but seeking coziness could inhibit long term reduction of anxiety. I don't know which theory has the more evidence. ( Also I'm not an expert and the consensus theory might be something else entirely. ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
▲ | prox 15 hours ago | parent | next [-] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
I haven’t seen those theories before. The first one seems intuitively apt. If you are overwhelmed the first thing that goes is your leisure and creativity. Say if you used to play piano or did any hobby, and you stopped, it means you lacking bandwidth to relax. After that, and you don’t correct your brain starts changing until it breaks : a burn out, or even further along : PTSD. So to counter it, is to bring back leisure and your hobbies. If someone burns out right next to you (I have had that happen to a colleague) is a couple of things : you can ask them if possible to focus on deep breaths, or ask them to call out the name of objects and ask them to describe them. Another strategy is deprive them of sensory overload. Have them put the hands on their face and hunch over so they are in their own cocoon. Stay with them and soothe them until you get a professional over. I am not sure if this is the most current view, but this is from my direct experience. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
▲ | amelius 13 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
I have a third approach for you: 3) spend time with friends, drastically reduce screen time, have people around you most of the time, never have dinner alone, etc. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
▲ | hliyan 8 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) is entirely believable because our brains evolved as a prediction engine that can help increase the survivability of its owner. So it's understandable that it over-indexes on threats. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
▲ | kavith 15 hours ago | parent | prev [-] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This is very interesting! I enjoy playing Gran Turismo 7 and often find it very calming; especially when I'm in a flow state and can get through a tricky part of the track very quickly without any mistakes. I wonder if this is a case where both theories apply - the rhythmic, controlled driving stimulates the 'soothing system' while the challenge of maintaining control at high speeds provides that 'risky play' element. |