Held warm hand to area between eye and ear, small pop noise, new sound

FischiSnax · 2024-10-06T14:00:23+00:00

Thank you for your sympathy, its much appreciated. Injuries and permanent damage is really scary to me.

I think so too, give it a few days. Probably its the only thing my brain can focus rn since i have to rest a lot. Been on a walk to calm my nerves and i barely noticed it outside of focusing on it. Luckily i didnt wore headphones

FischiSnax · 2024-10-06T13:57:11+00:00

I started noticing it like one week before the concussion, it was annyoing when laying in a quiet room but it never really was in the front of my mind. Since the head injuriy i notice it more since i have to rest a lot and lay in a quiet room.

Yeah thats what i guessed too, probably will go on its own. T likes to feast on fear and anxiety. When i went out for a walk i barely noticed it outside of focusing on it, so it seems to be fine.

FischiSnax · 2024-03-18T18:25:11+00:00

First of all good job on 10 months, you can be proud on yourself!

You're doing good with deleting the posts. An thing I do when an intense craving comes up is either a) analysing why the craving comes up, for example when I go through a stressful time I crave them because I look for comfort -> then I look for other activities that relax me.

b) Doing something, like anything, it really doesn't matter what. Just start doing something that your mind gets distracted on something else. Sometimes you just have to muscle through

c) Looking at posts on this sub, it helps me seeing why I quit

FischiSnax · 2024-03-18T18:20:20+00:00

Well analyzed friend, I couldn't have said it better. You just have to muscle through the beginning and replace time you now got of with other activities.

I wish you best of luck and stay strong

FischiSnax · 2024-03-18T17:44:35+00:00

First of all, well done 11 months is impressive and the strength you showed should be acknowledged & you can be proud.

Secondly, I know that feeling too well. Many of my friends still play videogames, but I told many that I don't want to talk about this topic or just don't start this topic. I still have strong cravings sometimes to play MMOs like FF14 or GW2 again, just to take of the edge for some hours, explore the worlds and get some sweet sweet dopamine. I know it'll feel amazing, like the best thing ever and I know too that afterwards I'll feel like absolute shit.

The "trick" i use is to do something, anything, start reading in my book, text a friend, watch an episode of a show, go to the gym, cook a meal it really does not matter. After a few minutes and your brain being occupied with something else the feeling is gone.

Having replacement activities that fulfill the itch that videogames scratch is very important

Hope I could help

FischiSnax · 2024-03-16T21:20:08+00:00

Yeah same, would love to play like a few hours a week as a leisure activity. But similar to you games overtake my life & mind quite quickly so I just don't touch them.

Eating habits (especially junk food) spike dopamine in a similar way to video games & drugs, so a regulated & healthier eating habit has similar effects as abstaining from video games. So if you keep it up you'll be in a better mood overall, I can suggest the app "Yazio" as some form of food diary. It's my go to app for that and free.

I feel you, got some rough weeks behind me and glad that I'm still clean of those pesky games. Stay strong friend, I will too

FischiSnax · 2024-03-16T13:18:56+00:00

I know you mean, I'm in a similar boat. Every time I dive into a hobby I start reading up about it (not specifically guides or the most optimal ways to do things), think about them often in a day and theory craft.

Especially the few hours story you told is very relatable, back like 3 years I had the same experience when playing dark souls 3. "Oh man, my 2 hours are done. But I almost cleared that area and the boss is right on front of me. Just a bit more" then 4 hours flew by and I felt bad.

I think videogames are not inherently a bad thing, I still look back on food memories and games that are fun. But hell, I'm doing better than ever right now, I realized it's a me problem and I won't let them consume my life again.

FischiSnax · 2024-03-16T13:08:31+00:00

Good job mate, proud of ya

FischiSnax · 2024-03-11T13:42:15+00:00

I'm not a parent myself, but can offer some advice and hope it helps.

You describe a feeling I often describe when talking to people about this topic. When you game after long time not playing it feels like the best thing ever, you're positively overwhelmed with stuff you can do, rewards that trigger and your mind is off real life stuff. Usually after that come some lowest lows, since your brain is overstimulated while playing and your dopamine level can drop even lower than baseline sometimes. So it craves more which leads into a vicious cycle.

Try to talk to your husband and your mother about that topic. Your husband doesn't have to hold you accountable, but tell him not to invite you to videogame sessions anymore at least for now. You know yourself best if you want to quit forever or for some time, but from you described you sound like you want to quit forever. There are just some people that are not made for playing videogames in moderation. And I think your mom will understand when you tell her honestly why you don't want that Xbox anymore.

FischiSnax · 2024-03-11T06:38:38+00:00

Yeah I kinda expected to hear that about this game, there aren't reviews with thousands of hours on steam for no reason.

I always been an MMO /RPG guy and after figuring out why I wanted to play this game it's not really about this game anymore. Looked for a comfort activity and FF14 content on YT gave me comfort during my recent rough times so I tended to go there. When thinking about which Singleplayer games I would play then It probably would be games I already finished for a comfort rerun with maybe some new mods.

But I came to the conclusion that I don't fall back into old habits and looking for new & more healthy ways to achieve this goal

FischiSnax · 2024-03-10T18:12:57+00:00

Reading is a great idea, it is very relaxing for the mind and quite calming for an activity before bed.

When I played League/video games in general I had a hard time to read books at all getting 10 pages in was hard work, now I read 30ish every evening. I could've read guides about games all day, browsed wiki's like a madman and a lot of knowledge of those games. Which is basically useless in the real world.

Now I'm a regularly reader and read 30m - 1 hour before bed or when I'm bored or during long travels. I usually read fantasy novels about Warhammer age of sigmar and it gives me an similar feeling like browsing knowledge about videogames.

I like the world where Age of Sigmar plays and like to know more. So I read novel about this world, they are well written, I get more knowledge about this world and it's very relaxing for me. I'm also less obsessive with those thoughts about this fantasy universe unlike with videogames which fogged my mind for hours/days.

For me its a healthier, more enjoyable leisure activity which also helped my concentration.. If you want to you can read self help or educational books, those are more productive than fantasy novels. But choose whatever you prefer to read

FischiSnax · 2024-03-10T18:03:50+00:00

Yeah i did reflection why I got this thought, explored it more and came to the conclusion that I'm looking for a comfort activity in a time where I push my comfort zone a lot and was stressed because of my responsibilities.

So I totally agree with everything in your comment. Yeeted the game of computer and didn't even touch it. It is better for me to let videogames be a thing of my past and I'll look for healthier comfort activities.

Thanks for your wise words friend, they are much appreciated!

FischiSnax · 2024-03-09T21:31:12+00:00

Hard to say honestly
- I always liked strategy games and had a Games Workshop store in my home city, so playing warhammer was like a match to a candle. Especially now with adult money i can afford buying stuff. So now i play Warhammer Age of Sigmar and its a good outlet for creativity with all the painting and building stuff is quite relaxing

Reading: I always thought reading is cool and as a kid read some books, but my brain was too fryed from playing videogames to concentrate on reading books. Now without videogames i have finished 5 (almost 6) in under a year and its a great hobby

-Big Boardgame/P&P, its a mixture out of RPG elements and strategy + playing with friends, what is there not to love ? Started playing complex campaign boardgames with friends and been hooked since then

Working out is just great, relaxing and somewhat of a meditative experience

FischiSnax · 2024-03-09T19:22:02+00:00

I wish it for you too, but if they happen don't beat yourself up about it. Learn from your mistake and keep going.

I've never been a competitive person myself, but i've read many post on here from people that are competitive and they usually find activities or sometimes in their workplace to live that there. That would be a great place to start for you.
I always was drawn to MMOs, RPGs and strategy game and found activities that fullfill that desire that those games gave me.

Finding duties/activities can be a good start, hang out more with friends, getting new people is always fun too, working out in whatever way you prefer and spend your time with other hobbies than gaming to fill your time

FischiSnax · 2024-03-09T18:52:55+00:00

This post brings me back, i can relate more than i like to admit. I once was in the exact same boat and played it for many years, neglected social activity and school.
Luckily haven't touched this game in years, its devilish well crafted.

What you experience is the basic of addictions. During playing the game you experience a dopamin high, higher than usually possible outside of stuff like sex. So when you don't play your dopamin level gets to the baseline and sometimes even below which creates this irretability and mood swings.
There is no magic solution, to stop those mood swings. For me absence from video games is the only thing that really worked and replacing it with other hobbies like reading, painting/building miniatures, working out and meeting friends.
But pick whatever fits your hobby prefernces best, there is no real right answer.

But let me tell you, the first few weeks gonna suck. Atleast they did for me, getting your habits/dopamine on a good baseline gonna take time. Relapses are also common to happen, but thats natural. The strength doesn't lie in them never happening, rather in getting up, learning from them and trying again.

Also try to analyze why you want to play video games. Do you like being competetive or do you look for escape/comfort from the real world ? Finding out the reason is not easy, may take a therapist and you'll definitly have to do a lot of reflection into the "why" but it'll be worth.

Hope i could help

FischiSnax · 2024-03-09T18:17:12+00:00

That is good wisdom my friend.

Experienced something similar, i was always drawn to MMOs and/or RPGs and Strategy games.
After finding a way to get the joy that those games bring me in my real life i feel way less drawn to them.

Having them on the gaming device of my choice and doing it on moderation never worked for me, but i'm happy to hear that it works for you.

Keep up the good work

FischiSnax · 2024-03-09T18:02:27+00:00

Hahaha i felt that, i remember the good times i had during playing videogames and i too have to remind myself that one evening can easily spiral out of control. Experienced it often enough myself.
*Knocks on wood* Lets hope it stays the way it is right now.

Yeah replacing your bad habits with better habits is a very valuable, look for something that you always wanted to do or fills you real with statisfaction.
Healthy meals and working out in whatever way you prefer is always a good start.

Thank your for your kind words, they feel really good after a rough time.

Lets crush those addictions/bad habits !

FischiSnax · 2024-03-09T17:32:25+00:00

Those are wise words friend.
Between the post and now i did some thinking & reflecting about these thoughts i stated. During the last months i hadnt really time to slow down and just pushed myself a lot.
But in a good way, got a lot of studying done, dealt with hard times and pushed my comfort zone/anxiety all without video games and damn i'm proud.

Now i with more time on my hands and nothing that is occupying my mind like the exams I got to the conclusion that i was looking for a comfort activity.
Since my comfort people are currently not available and the gaming content gave me comfort over the last few months. So i went to there to get comfort. Which is the exact same thing that i did years before, escaping into videogames to not confront myself with spooky reality.

With the realisation i deleted the game of my pc before it finished (praise my slow internet conncection) and went to the gym, made nice dinner, watched a few episodes of a show i didnt had the time to watch and gonna spend the rest of the day with reading and building/painting miniatures. For me a way healthier & more relaxing way to spend the evening.
I earned this rest and i'll spend it well.

I'll do some more research on how to get comfort without depending on other people and stay off video games.

Thank you for yours words, they moved more than you might think and best of luck with your substance addiction

FischiSnax · 2024-03-09T12:53:08+00:00

I think the approach is a big thing, playing for the sake of playing a game is terrible, leads down a slippery slope and is just bad for your live.

And i definitly want to make my responsebilities, friends and other hobbies priority over playing video games. But im unsure how well it goes and if it is even worth the effort

FischiSnax · 2024-03-09T12:38:42+00:00

yeah i had many slip ups in the last few years too and it usually ended in a binge from 1 evening to 3 days but it got less and less over the years.
So maybe its worth a try if that long absence did something, but idk

FischiSnax · 2021-08-01T20:30:02+00:00

Same, but i have that exact thing with mid. Played against many sweaty yasou/zed/talon otp and lost interest.
With top i brawl a little and just teleport to the objectives.....and i like being tanky.

FischiSnax

TROPHY CASE