dolls and mental health whats it mean for you

I have ADHD, and I'm not sure all these doll projects help! But I do love having so many things that the hyperfocus can zero in on.

It was mentioned earlier in the thread that depression, mood disorders, and such seem more common in the hobby, and I don't doubt it if it's the case. There have been studies that show that creative people are more likely to be depressed, and I think that on the whole, doll owners can be quite creative! Also, women are more likely to be diagnosed for depression, and I think the majority of the members here probably identify as female. So I don't think it's related as much to doll collecting as it is that we're a bunch of awesome, creative ladies (and a few awesome, creative guys and non-binary folks).

 

I can sum it up as one thing for me...art therapy. I have always been super creative all my life, and it has been my saving grace. Because of this I am super high functioning ptsd (from an abusive childhood.) I persevere at such a high level because whenever life gets to me, I get creative and this allows me to find my joy in the world once again. So this hobby is perfect for me. I can create characters, do research, paint face-ups, sew wardrobes, make accessories, build displays, and develop on-going elaborate stories between my characters. What could be better than that? I just need to keep it all within budget.

 

When i was 11 i was diagnosed with depression and ocd. As a teenager i was diagnosed bipolar. Being bipolar has pretty much dominated my life when it comes yo manic depression. Theres pros and cons, sometimes im able to work through things better than others, but then i crash.

Ive always had an over active imagination, sometimes to my detriment. On the other hand im very creative. Its like i havent grown up to put it simply. 2 years ago i was finally diagnosed with D.I.D (dissasociative identity disorder) which honestly wasnt surprising it honestly made sense.

Since i was little i never stopped collecting and carrying around toys. Ive mostly collected stuffed animals but also my little ponies. Even still i i love petting through the fabric of a plush or the hair of a pony. The biggest weirdest thing ive always done is carry one around while traveling and take pictures with it. But not just that. id take them in restraunts, museums, even on days i just knew id be away from home all day, even hikes. At home i also keep them in what ever room im in most but mostly... CUDDLE!

about 3 ir 4 months ago my first bjd came in. A used discontinued obitsu/parabox girl, 60cm. Ive been a bit busy but im in love with her, and this hobby in general! I still love stuffed animals but theres definately something more involved with bjds. Ive never been a doll person but getting to do hair, dress up and make clothes, change makeup, pose, and just having that human-like presence has really helped put me in a happy space many times these past few months. I honestly wasnt sure if id like them. I had an interest in reborns as well but im aiming for a doll like the 80cm lusions if some sort. Dissassociating and derealizing isnt always a bad thing. So many things can make unplugging into your own little world a good thing, and bjds are one!

Ive notice most here have ptsd! Hope you all can heal. Ive had trauma but never a mention of ptsd from any professionals.

 

Practically any of my hobby is a kind of anxiety soothing, but bjd dolls is the sphere wich is connected to my mental health. When I was a kid I tended to socialise mostky with my toys, I considered them as my friends and they meant a lot for me. Nowadays I have a similar attitude to my (temporary) only one bjd. She is my company when my anxiety worsens, if I can't sleep I settle her nerby my pillow and look at her, imagining her story, her character and what I would like to buy her. It also helps me calm down if I cuddle her, she's small (25 sm) but rather heavy, and this feels really good. I am really attached to her as she arrived when one of my pets turned out to have a lethal ilness, and this doll was practically my savior.

 

Honestly I love having my doll as a comfort, I love having her there and it may or may not sound weird but just knowing she's there helps when I feel I'm fraying at the edges.

 

I have been lucky not to suffer from extreme anxiety or depression, so my tiny doll collection and my other collections (my figure collection of many many years, my literature collection, my DVD/blu ray collection, the art I have on my walls, even the oriental rugs I own) don't address those issues. But they are definitely soothing to me in general. And as others have said, they also tend to facilitate creativity for me. Having beautiful, interesting, and eclectic things around my home (and my dolls definitely fit those categories) is inspiring to me from a creative perspective, and they also do really have a comfort dimension to them that kind of sort of accrues over time, I think, as you live and interact with them.

As an example, one of my very fond recent memories (of a year or so ago), was when my sister visited and helped me put the wig and some clothes on a doll I own. I live in a condo with large windows looking out the back, and across the access road there is another row of condos with windows looking back at my condo. It was broad daylight outside, and we both couldn't stop laughing wondering what the neighbors across the way must be thinking seeing these two middle aged people struggling with some "weird, strange" doll ("what must the neighbors be thinking now?!"). It was just really funny and kind of therapeutic in a way. Now whenever I look at that doll I remember all of that and other warm and fun things too and it makes me happy in a really nice way.