PSA: Be a Buddy

"KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs" (kusabisensei)
02/07/2015 at 16:08 • Filed to: None

Oppo, sometimes people have brains that don't work exactly right. Sometimes they are weird, like this car.

I have fought depression for about 15 years. I don't have to take medication now, but I have in the past. I likely will have to deal with it for my entire life. Such is the deck I was dealt.

Sometimes its the smallest things that set off a spell. Like your XBox telling you that people don't like playing with you on Live (True statement). Or living through another Hallmark holiday that you don't fit in. Or even just because it's cloudy outside. Or sometimes you don't even know.

But you should be a buddy to people who need a buddy. Because it's not easy to fight this alone. Even the little pea cars need friends too.

DISCUSSION (13)

BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
02/07/2015 at 16:17

If you ever want to play PC games, there's a bunch of us here including me that you could join. I'm open to talking if you need anything.

Jedidiah > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
02/07/2015 at 16:18

But pea cars are still awesome and always welcome on Oppo. So are you.

Funktheduck > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
02/07/2015 at 16:24

When I play L4D2 on steam people try to kick me constantly because I'm pretty terrible when I'm out of practice. They call me names sometimes too. It's a little discouraging getting your butt kicked by a kid and people telling you to quit. Then I remember I have a life outside of school and video games. In fact I've been graduated for several years now and I have a business to run so when I put it in that frame of reference I don't feel so bad.

I've never had depression in the clinical sense but I get really down around the holidays because of a few family tragedies so I know a little where you're coming from.

Feel free to email me at (username)@gmail.com, I use Funktheduck for Steam and PSN. No xbox though.

Birddog > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
02/07/2015 at 16:28

"I have fought depression for about 15 years."

I'm right there with you.

I've never been able to take meds for it. I always had odd reactions to them. My dogs seem to help a lot though.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > Funktheduck
02/07/2015 at 16:32

On XBL, it tells you what category that the complaint was in: "Unsporting 100%" I mean, really. My theory is that it's because I don't have a headset, so I don't have the option to do voice chat. Which doesn't bother me, but it bothers other people apparently.

I also don't do online matchmaking unless someone I know wants me to play. I haven't ever liked it, and so it feels like I'm being penalized for not doing it. Which I think is idiotic of Microsoft to set it up that way (But TBH, how else would they set it up?)

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > Birddog
02/07/2015 at 16:36

I have to force myself to actually interact with people. Fortunately I have good neighbors, and one actually said to me today (as I was explaining this):

You just don't seem like that kind of person

I had to remind her that those are the people especially at risk, because no one watches for any of the signs of problems until it's very late.

Also, their dog is nice to me, and I took care of Benjy and her mom while her husband was in the hospital for heart surgery.

Funktheduck > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
02/07/2015 at 16:38

I've always have playstations and they aren't as common for mics and I usually mute those people that do because it's usually preteens and early teens who just learned how to cuss and think it's fun to use the N word. One time I was playing and a girl said "hey guys, what's up?" while in the lobby. She was then bombarded with all sorts of "are you hot?" and "girls can't game" type stuff. I sent her a message apologizing for men but she left shortly after.

Give people a mic and anonymity and you'll get jerks. I like Steam because those people can suffer consequences if they're enough of a problem.

Tohru > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
02/07/2015 at 16:43

I know exactly where you're at, man. I've been fighting the same fight. Tohru Rokuno on Steam or XBOX 360, tohru.1 on Skype.

Birddog > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
02/07/2015 at 16:44

I hear the same thing from people the first time I tell them. When things are good, they're great. One silly trip up can turn things bad in a heartbeat.

If a friend or neighbor hasn't seen me in a while I get "wake up calls". I can't stress how much that helps.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
02/07/2015 at 16:45

While I don't have depression, my wife does, and I have social anxiety. It can be pretty difficult at times. Some days, weeks, or even months are absolutely wonderful and then for no reason at all everything goes to shit, at least in your head. That's why Oppo is an awesome place, always here when we need it. Oppo is here for you man.

Vimto > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
02/12/2015 at 20:30

Seven years of anorexia. Hospitalized once because I was so weak and emaciated I passed out at work.

No one thinks males can be anorexic, and once you're weight restored (I am) everyone thinks you're fine in every sense of the word. But the mind is permanently scarred, there's no cure, the urge to starve as a coping mechanism never dissipates.

I definitely feel you and I try to use my own terrible experiences to guide others in a better direction.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > Vimto
02/12/2015 at 20:56

Kinja'd!!!

All the best to you, man. Don't ever give up the Good Fight.

Vimto > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
02/12/2015 at 21:02

Minions always help. :)