BJDs as therapy...

I don't know if BJDs work as therapy or not but when I'm feeling terrible doing something with Nadeko, even something as simple as having her sit by me, makes me feel better.

 

I have suffered from depression for many years, and had my ups and downs. I've been in a down for a few months now, and I'm sure that the idea of a bjd as therapy is part of the reason that I decided to get my own girl.

Even though she isn't here yet (soon I hope!) it calms me to look at photos of the sculpt, and shop for her. I have one of the dealer photos of the sculpt as my phone wallpaper, because I feel in love with the sculpt through that photo and because it reminds me that she's coming and it makes me smile.

 

This is a really interesting topic. It seems a lot of us find bjds theraputic in some way. I has had chronic depression and anxiety for over half my life to varying degrees. I am steadily making gradual progress, but often get lonely & down when i'm not with my boyfriend or good friends. When i was initialy attracted to bjds it was as a form of art and a tool for creativity. I couldn't bring myself to deal with the cost so i put the idea aside. A year later, during the stress of Uni at the same time as yet another relapse, i started looking into the hobby again. I have a hanging clay & fabric doll from Greece with a beautiful face and this intense dark sky blue hair. Looking at her in my room while i spend all day every day struggling with my assignments, while other people were outside in the spring sunshine, made it all slightly easier to bear. When i started considering what doll i would have (hypothetically) if i could, and how i'd design her character, i began to think about how much less lonely it would be to have one. I also believed it would help me with the art-related panic & depression i get sometimes since i quit my design degree. My first girl should be here soonish so i'll soon find out. =)

 

I'm sure they are therapeutic, whether it's labeled that way or not. I suffer from depression , among other things, caused by MS. Just touching my boy makes me happier and encourages me to keep learning and trying because I want to be a better owner.

 

I don't own a BJD yet but just looking at them on the internet or planning my first doll cheers me up. I get happy just thinking about the day I will get one. (But I get depressed sometimes too)

 

yes. i live in chronic pain every day. my dolls bring me comfort .....

 

I also suffer from anxiety and i know that it helps a LOT. Even the simple thing of keeping me occupied helps. So i would say most DEFINITELY.

 

I totally agree with you all I find it helps loads, but at times it can drive you mad looking for what you want on the pc.
but also its fun searching for doll wigs and clothes.
I have anxiety and panic attacks and the past 3 years collecting bjd's has kept my mind going

 

For me, its very calming to simply come home and have a bunch of smiles waiting for me and a friendly face to play with. It helps a lot with keeping me happy because they're very very good at taking my mind off of things, something I'm traditionally not all that good at doing, likely because its something to focus on? Whether I simply repose them, or talk with them or have them interact with some of their other sisters it all helps I think.

 

I find that giving my doll a character and a story to play out (even if it's just in my head) can help in resolving issues I'm going through.

 

I think it can be very therapeutic, I find it therapeutic myself. Playing with a doll, even looking at doll things makes me feel better, calmer and happier. It's helped me a lot more than anything else I've found. During a panic attack, playing with a doll as small as Timber (she's 10cm) has made me feel calmer and better in moments.

 

I don't know much about therapy. I do know that therapy dogs are exempt from the no-dogs-allowed rule at my workplace so it must have real results to have local/federal government support.

There's a few similarities with therapy dogs and bjd's:

- requires maintenance
- they are pleasing to the eye
- their health is reflected upon the owner's care
- brings joy to one's life
- you can dress em up
- they have a lot of joints
- they don't resist if you love them

 

Like many people (in general and in here!) I live with depression and anxiety. I've had my doll less than a week but I can already see how incredibly uplifting, comforting and wonderful his presence (and likely many more to come) is with me here in my house. I was thoroughly and completely unprepared for the emotional reaction and attachment I was going to feel to him. Just in a WEEK I can honestly say I feel better than I have in the past year and I attribute it to him and to being part of this forum and getting into the hobby. *smiles* I think that their presence, the level of depth this hobby provides creatively (in MANY different facets!) and the community (if you're part of it) are huge factors as well in how therapeutic they are.

And reading this thread and what everyone has to say and coming to realize that I'm not just buying pretty toys, I'm providing myself with an alternative method of therapy makes me feel far less guilty about the money spent already and the money that WILL be spent.

Arin- I just want to comment on what you said about playing with your little one during a panic attack and say that is a totally awesome idea! I'm definitely going to have to give that a try!

 

Yes, these dolls are definitely therapeutic for me. I have severe bipolar disorder, and these dolls have made my life so much better. When I'm lonely or upset, I get comfort from them, through cuddling with them or by taking care of basic maintenance like wig brushing. Creating backstories for them has given me a much needed outlet, and I write about the characters that they represent frequently. I also find, as some have stated, that it's almost like I have company in way, like a child has company in the form of a stuffed toy. I would recommend a hobby like this for someone else who has a lot of difficulties. These dolls are very treasured objects that give me something positive to focus on.

It seems almost silly to view them this way, but as my grandmother said, "They make you so happy, and that's worth a lot."

 

Sure ... I think BJDs can be therapy ... on a number of levels. First, any hobby or collection that brings enjoyment is therapy ... whether it is dolls or scrap booking or skiing. Then, the BJD community itself ... giving one a sense of belonging and friendship ... this very thread is testament to that! Lastly, the creative outlet and storytelling that goes along with BJDs I would think is very beneficial. Living a bit vicariously through the dolls and even taking it a step further ... playing out situations, for some...could be therapeutic.

 

I have two dolls planned that are distinctly therapy for a certain loss in my life. I lost a friend to lukemia ten years ago, and just thinking about her still makes me cry. Them playing said role was only realized months after they were added to my wishlist.

 

I definitely feel like my dolls are therapy for me. I do struggle with depression and other issues and my dolls are so helpful in that respect. After a hard day of work and school, I just come home, pick them up to talk to them or play with them, or change their clothes, and suddenly, I'm all better. My dolls are more than just 'dolls' to me. They're some of my best friends. They are always there for me

 

I completely agree! I have generalized anxiety and my dolls definitely are therapeutic to me close to the same way an emotional support animal would!

 

BJD is my therapy ^^
last year around April, I broke up with my ex and it was a very dramatic moment for me. What I did was look at all BJDs' photo on the internet and I could forget about him for moments^^

 

All I can say right now is I wish BJDs were therapeutic. I'm not new to the hobby but new to owning the dolls, since I currently only own one, so I can't say that they're a source of therapy, but I sure hope they develop into something like that.

It sounds melodramatic and people might think I'm being silly, but I suffer from Emetophobia, a fear of vomiting, which isn't common or well-known at all. It was a little mild growing up but has become increasingly hard and stressful now that I'm much older and starting to depend a lot on myself like going to college and the like. I do attend therapy sessions as well, because it causes me to have anxiety issues and I am nervous and on-edge almost 24/7 because of it. There isn't a day where I DON'T think about throwing up. It's really really nerve-wrecking.

One thing that is a little therapeutic to me is when I think about anything other than what makes me anxious or nervous. My cat or my doll hobby are somewhat of examples. For example, I'd be sitting a test where I'm just nervous or stressed and I'd think about going home to my doll and possibly sew a dress or start a project or just chill around with my cat. /crazycatlady lol.