Here is my opinion and my opinion only. 
I suffer severely from bipolar disorder, OCD and anxiety; I suffer mildly from social anxiety and PTSD. My wife suffers severely from bipolar disorder, anxiety and social anxiety. We've both suffered from these mental illnesses since childhood. I say this so you know that I'm not just giving an opinion without history.
I think, as long as you know / research the mental illness, and don't use the illness as a joke, it's fine. It's really all based on the person, their character and the role-play. I think in some cases, a character's mental illness tendencies can be cute. My wife has played very shy, stuttering characters. I have played characters who have OCD tendencies. Just like a game character, anime character, etc. there are certain types of moe.
TL;DR: Know and or research, be respectful.Â
P.S. I think having characters who have mental illnesses, are LGBT, are religious or non-religious, etc. make the game that much more fulfilling. It's important for there to be 'more of us' (take 'us' as you will, it's different for everyone) in the gaming world.
P.S.S. I just wrote this Tumblr post last night, after Jen and I finished an anime based around the struggle of suffering from social anxiety. I feel it's relevant. Ignore if you don't.
I suffer severely from bipolar disorder, OCD and anxiety; I suffer mildly from social anxiety and PTSD. My wife suffers severely from bipolar disorder, anxiety and social anxiety. We've both suffered from these mental illnesses since childhood. I say this so you know that I'm not just giving an opinion without history.
I think, as long as you know / research the mental illness, and don't use the illness as a joke, it's fine. It's really all based on the person, their character and the role-play. I think in some cases, a character's mental illness tendencies can be cute. My wife has played very shy, stuttering characters. I have played characters who have OCD tendencies. Just like a game character, anime character, etc. there are certain types of moe.
TL;DR: Know and or research, be respectful.Â
P.S. I think having characters who have mental illnesses, are LGBT, are religious or non-religious, etc. make the game that much more fulfilling. It's important for there to be 'more of us' (take 'us' as you will, it's different for everyone) in the gaming world.
P.S.S. I just wrote this Tumblr post last night, after Jen and I finished an anime based around the struggle of suffering from social anxiety. I feel it's relevant. Ignore if you don't.
♥ ~ Angie • 26 • in ♥ with my gorgeous best friend, wife and soulmate Jen • 2 kitties, 2 birds, 2 ratties and 1 snake are our babies • gamer • role-player • huge geek ~ ♥
