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Cosplay: Fun or Therapy…or How About Both

The Benefits That Cosplay Has for Mental Illnesses

By Katelynn Marie Published 6 years ago 4 min read
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And so the tribble flew.

Can cosplay really be used as therapy or is just for fun? I'm here to answer that.

Yes, cosplay can be therapy to cosplayers who suffer from mental illness.

In the cosplay community, people dress up as fictional characters for fun but for many cosplayers it can also be a method to escape reality if only for a weekend. A well-rounded portion of cosplayers suffer from anxiety and self-doubt and another suffers from the harder mental illnesses like depression. Building and cosplaying as their favorite characters provide that fun escape from the issues plaguing their reality.

Because who wouldn't want to be Spiderman over a bullied soul even just for a day?

That escape is their moment to unwind and de-stress. Even cosplayers who slave over sewing a dress or molding detailed armor deal with self-doubt and anxiety. The anxiety the cosplay they worked so hard on might not be good enough to the communities standards. Wearing that glitzy dress or that knightly armor can be just medicine for the mental and emotional stress they endure during the building process. Not to mention the gratification that comes with people wanting to take photos of that cosplayer and their cosplay. Now I'm no expert in the area and everything I've learned from this subject has been from personal experiences and testimonies of some of my good cosplay friends.

I, myself, suffer from anxiety along with exponential depression and I find the biggest distraction is my building and crafting of cosplays. I get to pour all my worries and concerns into a cosplay. Those worries and concerns are then dissipated the moment I put that finished work of art on. I find the best remedies come with my prop making. I carve and design handmade wands, and though that may seem silly, I rather enjoy it. Being able to handle my finished product or hand it off to an excited customer makes all the work worth it, and when I'm downright tired emotionally, carving that wand puts my hectic mind and soul at ease. I've only been cosplaying for a few years now, but I can already tell a difference in my emotional and mental state of mind. I no longer feel like I have no purpose. When building a cosplay or prop I know that my art is going to be appreciated, and even when I feel the work isn't good enough I still get great reviews and feedback that counter attacks the self-doubt and anxiety that plagues my existence.

My Hermione cosplay was my first hands-on experience at making a cosplay. It wasn't exactly what I imagined going into the building process, but it turned out pretty good none the less, however, when attending the convention I was really scared that people wouldn't appreciate the work I put into it and would negatively critique my work. I felt anxious the morning of that cosplay but was shocked by how many people actually like the look. Yes, there are improvements that can be made, but for the time I spent on it and the limited resources I still thought it was good. I didn't know if the community would share my opinions and thoughts. I thought for sure people would make fun of me and the cosplay I so dedicatedly worked on. The anxiety I felt going into that cosplay was erased the moment someone asked me for a picture. I even got asked to make a tribble levitate with the help of a friend. It turned out to be a good con. From my own personal experiences, cosplay has turned out to be the best therapy for my mental issues. I find myself happier and in better moods, especially after I've worked on a cosplay.

So, as a cosplayer, I employ those who might suffer from anxiety or self-doubt and even depression to look into the art of cosplay because it might just be the escape they need from the issues they might be dealing with. Sure a typical convention might only last three maybe four days, but that three to four days you get to be someone else let's you forget whatever might be going on in your everyday life. It's a true treat to see so many people like myself find happiness and peace in such a beautiful and remarkable art form. Now I'm not saying to forgo your actual therapy or help you might need, but cosplay can definitely be a benefit or even an extra tool for that therapy.

So whip out that wig and that costume and just go out have fun. Plan your own photoshoot with friends or attend some really awesome conventions. You can even befriend people who are just as big of nerds as you are. Cosplay is fun and for many of us its the escape we need, and the cosplay community is always welcoming with open arms.

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About the Creator

Katelynn Marie

Hi, I'm Katie. I'm a 27-year-old musician with a passion for writing and streaming. Aside from writing on Vocal, I stream on twitch. I play a variety of games. In May of 2021, I lost my dearest grandfather and it's forever changed me.

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