Article: Tetris helps with PTSD flashbacks

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anonymice
anonymice Member Posts: 532
edited June 2014 in Mental Health: Because Cancer Doesn't Just Affect Your Breasts

http://www.webmd.com/brain/news/20101111/computer-game-may-reduce-traumatic-flashbacks?ecd=wnl_day_111210

This came in a recent WebMD email.  I am posting it because I *know* Tetris can help some people control their anxiety.  I ended up with PTSD after two car accidents within two weeks of one another.  Both were terrifying...in one, I was driving and went literally over a mountainside and in to a flooding river.  The second, a total jerk was driving my friends and I in a snowstorm at 60+ mph - he kept saying 'don't worry, it's a Subaru'.  When we finally crashed it was not too bad of an accident but the damage to us emotionally had been done.

So I was in severe trauma but worked my way out of it through guided relaxation imagery and, yes, Tetris (took about a year to completely heal).  I discovered it was like meditation, but it's easier because your attention is fixed.  You are problem solving and it really can calm and order your mind.  I don't think Tetris alone can solve breast cancer PTSD but I do believe it can help some people chip away at it.  When you have PTSD, you need to learn to control anxiety and intrusive thoughts and this can help train your brain, somehow.  

Anyway, I thought it was interesting research. 

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  • Shrek4
    Shrek4 Member Posts: 1,822
    edited November 2010

    Actually what helped me while I was going through chemo, and it really helped keeping my brain functioning even with the chemo, were games that are called "time management".

    The most I've played were "Beauty resort". "Beauty resort 2". "Farm Frenzy" . You might want to give them a try.

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  • badger
    badger Member Posts: 34,614
    edited November 2010

    Interesting, thanks for sharing.  I have a hand-held Tetris game that I like to pick it up and play when I feel anxious.  Something about making those four-squares line up that's mind-numbing yet satisfying. 

    Here's from the LA Times on the same subject:

    http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2010/11/tetris-post-traumatic-stress-disorder-flashbacks.html

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  • ToriGirl
    ToriGirl Member Posts: 1,188
    edited November 2010

    For me, any kind of game that takes my mind off everything going on is good in my book...I have the handheld Tetris that I play all the time...I play solitaire and other mind games on my Ipad, and Brainage on my Nintendo DS, and feel that they help me with the "chemo" brain/fog....

    peace and prayers,

    Tori

    DE COLORES! 

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  • anonymice
    anonymice Member Posts: 532
    edited November 2010

    Thanks, Day.  I don't currently have PTSD - I should have mentioned that that was more than 20 yrs ago, the article just interested me because I knew at the time that Tetris helped me a lot and I always remembered that.

    Thanks for posting the other article, Badger. 

    Tori, I sure do have the chemo fog now and could use all the help I can get with that so may look in to some games again.  It can't hurt and may very well help.


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  • badger
    badger Member Posts: 34,614
    edited November 2010

    The BCO games helped me a lot, you can see I have many posts and that's from playing the games here.  For me it's to fight chemo brain and keep my wits sharp, it's something to do when up at all hours, and it's to connect with other people.  So c'mon over to the "Humor and Games" forum.  There are all kinds of games and participants from all over the world.  A great bunch of people!! 

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited November 2010

    I bought a Nintendo DS and played hour after hour after hour....it was the only control we have!!! I also believe that it keeps our brains alive!

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  • anonymice
    anonymice Member Posts: 532
    edited November 2010

    Thanks, Badger, sounds like lots of fun, I'll check it out!  Barbe, I will have to dig out one of my - I dunno, 8 - gaming systems, LOL.  I've been playing for 30 yrs and never thrown one out but I don't know if the older ones work any more...  

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