|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready…
|
All the dopamine!!!
Ever since I started playing Fornite, about a year and a half ago at the age of 54, it has become my main game. I rarely ever get tired of it. It is the one game I miss when I don’t have time for playing games. And it’s the only game I’ve ever dreamed about.
People with ADHD crave dopamine, a neurotransmitter in the brain that helps other chemicals communicate with each other. It controls how you feel pleasure, how you get motivated, and your ability to do basic tasks. When your brain lacks dopamine, as it does for people with ADHD, you seek it out like a drug. You don’t care where or how you get it or how much it costs or whether it is going to hurt you in the long run. You just NEED it. NOW!
The lack of dopamine is what turns many people with ADHD into addicts – drugs, alcohol, smoking/vaping, and gambling are common addictions for our people.
It’s not just addictive substances we become addicted to. Gaming is another popular addiction. And for me anyway, Fortnite is the perfect ADHD game.
Fortnite Has Instant Gratification
People with ADHD are not often fond of waiting for things. Gotta wait five months to get the reward? Nope. I want it right now. Instantly. I don’t like to play games that take forever to complete. A week? Maybe. A few days? Even better. 20 minutes? Perfect.
Each game is completed in a short period of time and even if you didn’t win you get XP in ever game.
And then there’s the looting. And this season, there’s sprites! And you can run around collecting things as much as you want. Ok, you can only hold so much. I’d prefer if you could carry more items and collect more sprites in a match (I’m seriously thinking about paring down to one really good weapon so I can carry 4 sprites in my inventory and one of my back – more sprite dust!). But running around and opening all the chests just gives me so much dopamine!
There are even shorter games, like Blitz. Blitz is one of my favorite game modes because it’s a five minute game and there are lots of bots, so there’s a good chance of actually winning (I’m not the greatest player). My only complaint about the game is that the map doesn’t change often enough for me.
Fortnite Has So Much Variety!
There’s no way to get bored when you log in to Fortnite. There are so many different games to play. Tired of a certain map? Just change game modes. Battle Royale, Blitz, Reload, OG – there’s lots to choose from.
And those are just the Epic games.
Creators make maps of their own with all different kinds of themes – tycoon, bed rot, murder mystery, farming games, cat games and I could go on forever. Any time you get bored, all you have to do is find another game to play.
Fortnite Has Community
Some people think that those with ADHD are all loners. We’re not. We just don’t like small talk. We like to be focused on a specific conversation and usually only with a couple people, not a whole ass party where everyone is talking at once. Too people-y.
The Fortnite community makes it easy for you to find your tribe. Want to hang out with the best of the best (the sweats)? Or maybe you want to be chill with a bunch of girlies who like to just have fun vibing at random spots and collecting sprites. Whoever you think should be in your tribe, they are out there. You just have to look.
There are lots of places where you can find your tribe. Streaming channels like Twitch or Kick are great for that. Or there’s Discord or Facebook or TikTok or Instagram. Just keep looking and you’ll soon have a group of people to play with.
But if you’re not in a community sort of mood, play solo. Solo Fortnite is different than duos or squads. It’s just you, doing what you want to do. Maybe you’re working on leveling up so you can complete the Battle Pass. Run some quests, get some eliminations, or grind the rails on a creator map.
The Skins!
OMG – don’t even get me started. I don’t know how anyone runs around rocking the same skin every single game. Even my “main skin” has the abilty to mix it up (Captain Customized – you can change her hair color and the jacket by using your wraps). But I love a new skin.
Unfortunately, I got a little carried away when I started playing Fortnite. I bought so many skins. And Fortnite Crew. I think I spent $600 one month. Then I realized a budget so I limited myself to Crew and the biggest set of VBucks each month. Eventually I slowed down even more and now I’m just getting battle pass and maybe one new set of skins per month. And Battle Pass earns enough vbucks to renew each month. So, it’s much better.
But I still love a new set of skins and accessories. And emotes, don’t forget about those. I mean you gotta show your flair in the lobby and when you get an elimination, right?
I’m not saying if you have ADHD that you should play Fortnite. Actually, you probably shouldn’t.
But if you play Fortnite and you have ADHD, you know exactly what I’m saying.
If your ADHD kid is having problems getting off the game, now you know why. Be kind. But do help him/her set some limits.
And if your husband/wife won’t go to bed at night because they are playing “just one more game” of Fornite with their squad, don’t be mad. But maybe go and get them assessed for ADHD!
