BJDs as therapy...

I think in some cases it may be in itself a great therapy, but otherwise it's just an excuse not to be with other people, I think that's just an excuse not to be with other people, but this also happens with computers and mobile and everything ends up being an obsession, anything or any feeling that you can not control is good, but if you are aware of everything and really helps your health is very good, I lived a bad situation with my brother for 8 years so I can understand other people sitting in this situation

Likely you may consider dolls very therapeutic because they are really very entertaining (change the eyes, see other bjds, wow! a new wig! umm.. I want to make a dress for her.. I like to photograph)... you forget about what makes feel bad

 

I have found at least for me, that any art in general can tend to be therapeutic for me. Bjds just happen to have more encompassing all aspects of art so that I don't have to pick one to do. I tend to get really bad depression especially during the winter months... So it's good to have something to work on while it's so gloomy. Also lately I've been in and out of hospitals being poked and prodded as doctors have been trying to search for a chronic pain in my abdomen. They can't seem to figure it out. So when I'm in serious pain, and need to be comforted and my husband isn't around, it's good to know my dolls are. It's not so much the dolls, as it is the characters and personalities we give them that make them therapeutic. We all go into their little world and aren't reminded of the struggles that we seem to run into in our day to day lives. It's good to get away sometimes.

 

I have horrible anxiety and depression. I have a lot of medical problems too, due to my weak immune system. So when I get down, I get really down. I've been on and off medicines lately and I feel like I'm about to go nuts. I kind of became dormant in this hobby for a while until I felt so anxious for spending so much money and not even doing anything with my dolls. Now I am doing faceups and building props and even a doll house! It really helps to get the bad things off my mind. I haven't told my therapist about my dolls yet because it makes me nervous to think about what he might think vs. what he can say. >.< I wonder though...

 

I love beautiful things, beautiful anything! My dolls are an articulation of that--gorgeous faces, gorgeous prefect bodies. (Which I, as a normal human, do not have.) I think of the hands that sculpted it, that painted it and appreciate all that went into creating it. So yes, it is therapy for me to be able to hold and enjoy a beautiful doll.

 

I've had chronic depression and health problems, as well as working in construction, coupled with my dad dying last year. It feels good to joke with the guys, telling them that I've done so much masculine work I have to go home and play with my dolls, and that they're there for me to torture with hair, clothes and taking pictures of them. They're there with me and have become my friends when I'm unable to get into the big city with my IRL friends at times. Talking to my mentor and therapist, he says, as long as it doesn't interfere with my real life doings (even though I think about them while working) it's good to have them! Just like any other coping mechanism or item. I love them, and I hope they love me, through all the bad and good ^^

 

As a person with several emotional and nerve issues. I understand this.
Social anxiety, OCD and major depression has plagued my life since I was a kid and its gotten worse. Bjd let me express and focus on the dolls rather than life issues. They keep me some form of company and even allow me to clear out thoughts. They are a great cathartic therapy to me.

 

I have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and a whole host of other things. I'm in a lot of pain all the time and my messed up joints make it difficult to do much of anything, but working on dolls gives me some sense of purpose, even if I can't work on them as much as I would like.

I have bad anxiety as well and just brushing their hair or changing their clothes calms me down. When I'm able to be creative with my dolls it makes me feel good about myself. If I'm having a really bad pain day and can't do anything but use the computer, I look at beautiful doll photography and that relaxes me. Dolls give me something to focus on besides my illness.

I also like that I have met several people in the hobby who share my same (rare) illness. And many people who have other chronic illnesses, which makes me feel less alone.

 

I find that I buy things for my dolls when I am depressed. This helps alleviate my bad feelings. It's as if, by beautifying the dolls with new clothes and wigs, I release some pent up emotions.

 

BJDs are fantastic therapy! I let my best friend handle them because I know they make her feel better.
I don't think I would have handled this past year that well if it hadn't been for them. They've helped me to go back to what needs to be done. I've become less sensitive, more selfish and care less about other people's behaviour and sense of entitlement and this has been very good for me. It has been as though I bought not resins but small packs of ready happiness and small & welcome successes in my various endeavours.
I still have black moods, anxieties and frustrations/angers. But I am working on them by handling and taking care of these dolls. And I feel way better.

 

So, I have chronic depression and have moderate anxiety. Meds aren't even very effective in treating my symptoms, but playing with my doll seems to be somewhat therapeutic for me. Is this the case for anyone else? How does collecting BJDs help you with your medical conditions?

 

My dad just bought me one to help with my depression and anxiety. He said it's good to have a hobby that you can lose yourself in. Something just for you and no one else. Im very grateful for him

 

You have a very good dad.

 

I have quite a stressful career and I love the creative side of this hobby. Thankfully my granddaughter loves all things BJD - so I have the best excuse going to indulge her and myself!!
Keep going with the hobby as I am sure it has therapeutic properties.

 

Only thing not therapeutic about the hobby is the slash in my wallet and the countless hair-pulling hours of waiting, but yes, it is all worth it in the end.

 

This hobby is definitely helpful. Whenever I need to clear my mind I just craft things for my dolls while watching fellow collectors talk about their dolls or do box openings online. Or I make lists of things I want to do with them or buy for them. It keeps my head out of negative spaces.

 

Having dolls helps with my depression and anxiety issues. It's very nice to have something to focus on that is very low-pressure and beautiful, and at the end of the day is just mine.

 

Yup, I my resin family is my own little world where no one can bother me. ^.^ I went almost all year last year without doing anything with them do to many reasons and my depression was spiraling pretty bad, but now I'm on an upward spiral. *fist pump* "Fighting!"

 

Well, coming from someone who has studied psychology for 6 years, I can say that any type of hobby can be helpful for someone experiencing depression &/or anxiety. It's important to remember, however, that there are several different methods for successful treatment. I know you said that your medication isn't helping-- have you talked to your doctor? It may be time to try a new medication. I had tried to commit suicide in high school & was placed on Zoloft, which worked wonders for me... then Prozac, which made me feel a thousand times worse. The only thing that kept me sane during the Prozac period were my hobbies. Please consider speaking to your doctor about the way you're feeling-- that way you can feel better & enjoy your dolls at the same time. It's not an easy journey. : )

 

I do see a psychiatrist and a therapist on a bi-monthly basis and have tried many different medications. Still trying to find the right one. it's also tough being here in Germany, away from friends and family. But it's one of those things you've just gotta push through.

 

Being away from your support system is SO difficult. I've only moved a few states away from my home & I know how terribly I did for a while, so I can't imagine being in another country. I promise it'll get better-- I just hope that you're able to find some medications that make you feel better. I know when I was battling it, it made me have a hard time even enjoying my hobbies at all, but somehow they kept me going.