BJDs as therapy...

I can say I have no childhood. things were very messy and as I get into mid twenties things just go crazy. but as I get into dolls again, I feel I revert back into 5, ignoring my pain, scream and shouts and bruises and hits and misses just dissapear.
but another worries arise though - debt. ^^

 

I really think, when I'm depressed or down then my doll will cheer me up alot
I was really down today and I really felt like having my doll near me, but I haven't got it yet!

 

My dolls are the only thing that got me through my cat, Python's, death. She was my child and a part of me died when she did, but when I was on the brink of losing it all, my dolls were there. I knew they couldn't die and I knew that Pi loved them as well. They now spend every night sleeping on Pi's pillow.

Also, I have anxiety issues and have panic attacks if I deal with too many people at work (which, as a cashier, is a very bad thing to have) so I keep one of my tinies in my vest pocket and wrap a hand around them when I feel like I am on the cusp of an attack.

 

So... Now that most of us agree dolls are therapautic.... Do you think my insurance will cover my next doll purchase

 

If only, if only...
I can see it now. "What, you'll pay for my therapy sessions which I have to keep buying, but you won't pay for a one time purchase doll? It's the same treatment! So what if it costs over two average paychecks."

 

Hmm...Lol! what an interesting idea. Maybe i should start a loan service for dolls!! Hahaha! dolly insurance. that would be wonderful. except i dont have benifits so it wouldnt matter anyways. :P

 

No not really Kewlness that you joined AVEN! Its awesome there. here have cake.

 

I was thinking about this the other day.

I've been dealing with some garbage and getting made fun of for my dolls--people assume i just got "daddy" to pay for them when, no, i really scrimped and saved up every last dime for them--and it really hurts my feelings when i get treated like that. I was starting to even consider selling my dolls i felt so lousy about it all. But i was sitting there with Mariette on my knee, considering, and i found myself kind of...patting her shoulders and rubbing her back--like she was the one who was upset! It was odd, but it was almost like in comforting her, i was comforting myself.

And i am NOT going to sell them. These other people have no appreciation for these dolls.

 

I had a terrible childhood, and American Girl dolls were my escape. Now that I'm an adult, I have the big D, the big A, and chronic pain. When I see my father, (damn brothers don't know enough to stay away from him) looking at pictures of my doll make me feel better. (He won't be able to break this one!) When I have trouble getting up in the morning, or going out job hunting, I remind myself that it's for my Kate, who's waiting for me to get off my lazy butt and get the money together to pay for her. While I can't speak for actually owning one yet, I can speak to the enormous power they have as motivators.

 

If I am feeling bad or depressed, I always have one of my dolls by me. Having a "person" that isn't going to judge or get aggressive or overly chatty nearby me always makes me feel better. Just their presence is enough to make me smile!!!

 

I just wanted to add to this. I suffer from sever anxiety, depression, and slight agoraphobia. As well as having a touch of O.C.D. and just being anti-social. These dolls have helped me get over my fear of people, and help me to just be as normal as possible. I have no idea how they do it, they just do.

I had to go to the hospital for awhile about 2 years ago, and the only thing I brought with me was one of my dolls. At first they told me that I couldn't bring her with me (seeing as she has potentially harmful parts) but then the doctors figured out that she was helping me in a way that they, and their medication couldn't.

Since buying my first doll, I have been able to leave the house without medication, and just be happy, without medication. They even helped me meet my husband!

Now, instead of sleeping all day, and just being completely unreasonable about everything, I get up before noon everyday, and I talk, and converse with people, about things I would have never even dreamed.

I'm so glad that I have these dolls, and this forum. It really does make my life better. I'm also so glad to know that they have helped so many other people.

 

Maybe this is a bit OT, but I am chronically ill and house-bound most of the time and my dollfies are my major source of company (along with my cats). *woosh. I'm a sad git, I know!* They certainly cheer me up and always give me some project to be planning for next time I'm well enough. They mean the world to me, and I would definately say they are theraputic.

 

One of the major reasons I want a doll is for therapeutic purposes. Talking to a teddy bear is helpful (i lug him everywhere ), but I imagine having a doll to share company with and act as a listening ear (though I know it's a resin object, sad) would be tons better. Too bad I cant explain it to my parents that way >_>

 

cambird, i know what you mean.
I had an traumatic childhood with lots of afterstress from it ,I am depressed and have an very heavy form of fybromialgy (kinda like rheumatism of the muscles for anyone not knowing the name).I'm also home bound and waiting for revalidation for more than a year and it got me really nuts, but now that i have a doll i really have some motivation to do things.I used to sew a lot but the pieces got too big to cut (i have a litlle table so have to cut on the floor, wich is hell for my body), so now i can just cut and draw on my table and posing her and cudlle her and i feel not so alone anymore and things got some more meaning instead of living from the moment you boyfriend goes to work till he comes home..
Now i don't get so sad anymore, i can make clothing for my dollie and knowing i can sell something of the things i make, it also gives me a feeling that i actually do somthing for the household beside just being sick.
And yeah the interaction with a doll and getting in tough with you inner child is good for everyone not only if you are sick or depressed...

So take care of you dollies, enjoy them and for all others who frown there nose for us dollieowners, we have eternal youth,and they get cranky and old...

hugs lamira

 

Reading through this thread has helped me a lot.

I'm still waiting for my first boy, and have the feeling that he'll help me a lot in my problems.

I suffer depression and stress to the point that it makes me ill. So far at the moment, coming home to my two dogs helps me a LOT and so I'm hoping that when Xander arrives, he'll further help me out with my stresses by just coming home and giving him a nice big hug, like I do with my dogs.

 

Dolls are wonderful things, they are always there caring for you with undying love for no reason at all, plus they allow us to tap into the person we really want to be, which is a wonderful release. Not to mention they are wonderful to look at and you can leave the real world behind and create a new one withhout any doubts or fears. Also they are by far one of the greatest friends anyone could ask for.

 

You know, I didn't think about it until I saw this thread, but I definitely have to agree that they're really good therapy. I have trouble dealing with other people- namely, I'm always worried that they've already made up their mind to dislike me, so I generally don't even try, or I worry that I'm going to say or do something and it'll just ruin everything...

But my girl is... Well, she's something for me to take care of, and to adore, and make pretty, when the rest of the world just walks right on past me. She needs me, because, without me, she's nothing but a pretty piece of resin who'll collect dust and yellow, and wear the same clothes all the time, while her wig gets ratty. She doesn't judge, or look at me oddly. She just sits there, looking achingly beautiful, and I know she wouldn't look nearly as happy, or nearly as pretty, if she didn't have my help.

But even more than that, though, she's gotten me out into the world, even if it is just a couple times a month, to talk to other people at dollmeets. And because we all share a common interest, I don't feel like I've been judged already- because they have a -reason- to want to talk to me that I can see. All of this, because of a doll! So, yeah. I think they're absolutely wonderful therapy, especially for the socially inept (like myself ^^; ) and the depressed, as well as those with low self-esteem. Because, c'mon, how can you not feel a little better about yourself when something THAT lovely -needs- you?

EDIT: Also, forgot to mention, she's introduced me to the least prejudiced group of people I've ever met in my life, so I don't even have to worry that they'll dislike me because I like girls. Restores a little of my faith in the world.

 

lamira: I have CFS, which is similar to Fibro and sewing things for my dollfies really gives me something happy to focus on in my life. Just thought I'd say hi to someone similar and wish you good health.

Love to everyone on this thread! (and everyone else too!)

 

Well, I see someone for my manic depression as well. Though, my case isn't as serious as yours. It mostly comes from my inability to make friends. I guess I seem kinda standoffish, and people tend to flee. It was one of my reasons for getting into this hobby. I was looking for a friend that would listen, and here comes Rei into my life. I named Rei Haru which translates into Beautiful Flower. When I picked him he seemed very lonely, and I felt the same way too. So, now we are rarely seen apart from each other. I don't know how that helps, but I thought I would share. n.n Heck, to think I was the only using Rei for therapy.