Podquisition 181: Electric Six Dungeon

Hi Jim, I know it's late (had no internet). I suffered from anxiety and depression a good year and a half ago. Up until that point I was totally healthy (mentally atleast) and never fully understood how someone can even consider suicide as an option and just thought people need to cheer up. Having suffered with anxiety and not knowing from one day to the other, having mild break downs and panicing over anything and everything (even having a panic attack), I genuinely thought that if this was going to be my life from now on that death could be considered a release... That was a very dark and scary place for me, the fact that I could feel so low. I totally understand where you're coming from and how debilitating it is. I was also casually taking pain-killers at the time and also experimenting with edibles (the brownie sort). I'm much healthier and happier now after seeing a doctor and getting some very mild anti-depressants. I really appreciate you sharing your story with us, it made my experiences seem much less scary and isolating. Hope your feeling better now! all the best - Tom

I've been sick as hell recently with what I believe turned out to just be ulcers (That still haven't healed but I have it more under control now). It made me depressed and feel demasculated as hell for months. I didn't feel like I could work and I hated my (relatively very good) job too. It actually all makes much more sense to me after listening to you guys. If depression is that bullshit 24/7, no wonder some people want to kill themselves. And I'll take what Jim said here as advice to stay away from pain killers as much as possible. Being stuck in the bathroom shitting all week sounds pretty awful and probably comes with a whole lot of guaranteed migraines.

PhoenixIgnis

Poor Laura! It felt like she couldn't complete a sentence most of the episode ;) Thanks for sharing your struggles. There are more real things than video games and escaping into them isn't always the answer. Talking about it is important. It helps you and probably helps more listeners than you realize. Love your work.

Donald Koehne

This was a fantastic episode and provided a number of game recommendations. I am struggling to ignore the Dark Souls pull as I've got to hold off on that series until I complete my move. As excited as I am to return to Lordran and then kick off a year (or years) of completing the entire series, the more you lot bang on about it, the less I can hold back the tide. Jim, thank you for sharing what you've been going through. It sounds horrific what you've been through, but hearing that the greatest showman in games media struggles with mental health illnesses let the rest of us feel less stigmatized. I realize it should go without saying, but those who support you support you taking time to recharge or to recover from trauma. If you need time to rebuild, take it. Your work is outstanding and I don't want to lose you from burnout or from health degradation. Finally, every hat off to you for quitting pain medications through sheer will. That's not a small accomplishment. That's incredible, especially surviving the upheaval your body threw up in response. Lastly, would it be possible to request either Gavin or Laura to stay off social media during the podcast, or at least muting their phones? During your intimate revelation, Facebook messaging sounds were constantly distracting me and felt disrespectful, given the subject matter.

Labo is so awesome. I would have been all over that as a kid. I kinda want to do it for my Vive...

Crissa Kentavr

awesome

Solidarity, friend!

Jim Sterling

I feel your pain dude. I didn't use pain killers but I used alcohol instead. 20 days sober now. I'm on meds too, anti-depression and anti-anxiety. Do what is comfortable I say. Feel better soon if you can, it's never easy.

kesseldarkfire

E6 is awesome! Egyptian Cowboy baby!

As a diehard E6 fan, I saw this in my inbox before I'd had any coffee and I thought my brain was eating itself.