More and more people are playing Dungeons & Dragons now than ever before, as families and friends gather in-person and online to enjoy the long-running tabletop RPG. D&D is undeniably popular, but it's more than just a fun game. In fact, research suggests that there are numerous mental health benefits to playing D&D - and it's being used in a variety of helpful ways, including therapy. Now, with a global pandemic that's stretched past the 1-year mark, it's also a way for people to hang out with friends while still social distancing.
In a lot of ways, Dungeons & Dragons offers players a form of catharsis. It's a way to relax at the end of a long day or week and play something fun with friends. Even the most intense campaigns have their moments of glory, when a dragon is finally taken down or an evil despot is defeated. So, of course, a logical step to take from there is that this kind of fun equals happiness - and is therefore good for a person's mental health. But that's just the surface, really, as the benefits of playing D&D actually go much deeper than this.
Dungeons & Dragons is good for kids, teaching them empathy and social skills. Dr. Raffael Boccamazzo, the Clinical Director of Take This, uses D&D to teach kids with autism appropriate forms of communication, how to create friendships, and more social skills in a setting that feels safe and fun. Oftentimes, children are afraid of failing in certain social situations, so D&D creates a role-playing experience where it's okay to fail, since there's almost no perceived real-life consequences. And these kinds of benefits aren't just shown in children participating in play therapy - adults have found boosts to their mental health after playing D&D as well.
How D&D Can Be Used In Therapy
Additional research has shown that D&D can have a multitude of mental health benefits. In an episode of the official D&D podcast, Dragon Talk, Dr. Raffael Boccamazzo stated that playing Dungeons & Dragons can also help boost confidence and improve creative thinking. It's why D&D has recently (and more frequently) been used in play therapy. It's a way for older teens and adults to express themselves through playtime.
However, Dungeons & Dragons can also help treat anxiety and depression, according to research that was reported by Bell of Lost Souls. It's increasingly common to find therapy D&D sessions, and it's because the tabletop RPG has been proven to help with mental health. However, D&D doesn't have to be played via therapy for it be therapeutic. Sometimes, all that's required is finding the right group to join.
How D&D Can Help With Anxiety & Depression
Of course, finding a D&D group that lasts and that a person feels comfortable with is vital. This allows adults to find lasting friendships and create important bonds with others. It can be especially helpful for those who don't usually feel compelled to enter social situations.
In a powerful blog post on Medium, Charlie Brown details the ways D&D has helped him with his anxiety and depression. Brown, who suffers from anxiety and depression and who's been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, writes that it's his commitments to DMing games and playing with other people that keep him going:
"D&D gave me a life I couldn't have had otherwise. Though I still hurt and my body screams at me to quit, I don't, I honor my commitments."
At the best of times, Dungeons & Dragons can be a cathartic outlet for many people. It's a way to express themselves creatively while having fun. In more difficult times, it might even be the one commitment that keeps a person going. Meeting up with friends to play a game for a few hours each week may seem like an unimportant part of a person's week, but as many D&D players know, there's almost something sacred about showing up on time and meeting up with everyone each time.
Being a part of a community like Dungeons & Dragons is a way for players to become a part of something bigger than themselves. It's these feelings of camaraderie and companionship that can help with social anxiety and aid in alleviating depression.
Why D&D Is So Important In The Era Of COVID-19
Even in ordinary times, using D&D as therapy or to improve mental health can be helpful - but these are no ordinary times. With the COVID-19 global pandemic came mandatory lockdowns and quarantines in 2020, and now that the pandemic is still ongoing, some countries and cities are in lockdown once again. All the while, social distancing is encouraged, meaning many people can't be with their loved ones right now.
Feelings of isolation and seclusion in these situations are unfortunate but normal, and D&D can be a great way to connect with others. Thankfully, it's easier than ever to form a D&D group online, which means people can socialize and play with others without leaving the safety of their own homes.
Now, more than ever, Dungeons & Dragons has become an important social outlet. The loneliness and even despair that can come with staying home for long periods of time - and without getting to see loved ones - is very real. Now that many people are in lockdowns or practicing social distancing, it can feel like life is monotonous and unchanging - maybe even like there's nothing to look forward to. Playing D&D can be a great remedy for this. It gives people something to look forward to each week. It allows players to go off on exotic adventures with friends without ever leaving home.
The growing popularity and endearment of Dungeons & Dragons over the last few decades has shown that the tabletop RPG is here to stay. It's more than just a fun game, however, since it's been proven to have lasting mental health benefits. With the world impacted from COVID-19, playing D&D is an excellent way to socialize while still staying safely at home, and it's a source of light for many people whose lives have been darkened by the pandemic. There are benefits to playing D&D that will last a lifetime - even if sessions only last for a few hours each week.
Sources: Take This/Dragon Talk/Bell of Lost Souls/Medium