[@Buddha] it's easier to be open about a lot of issues online because of the additional degree of separation.  This can be from relationship issues to mental issues.  Yes, there are people who assume because they exhibit some of the outward symptoms that they have the illness, but I believe most of the ones I've actually talked to were officially diagnosed in some capacity, due to specific things that were mentioned.

The matter of going undiagnosed is usually because the person does not know they have the condition, even though they may be aware of the symptoms.  Self diagnosis may follow this.  But it may be that they don't realize their issues are particularly unusual, or they simply don't wish to acknowledge it.  By the very nature of not acknowledging the issue, that person is not going to discuss it.  It is only those who are aware of the issue and to some degree accept it that will say they have a mental illness -- well, aside from self diagnosers and attention-seekers.

Rp and video games do focus on the other, but they also deal with very real social concepts, when done well.  And in the case of rp, interaction with the group is beneficial.  Social interaction is less an escape if the illness involves social matters -- and I'd argue this includes depression.  If you're doing something at seriously involves the issue and not completely neglecting it, that's actually close to working on it, or at least maintaining management.  You keep from having to go on a serious diet by eating reasonably and exercising regularly.  So going on a walk und a mall with a friend is socializing, having fun, /and/ it doesn't count as ignoring your health.

Medication doesn't...it's a bit more complicated than just "take this and be happy".  It's more like how allergy meds get rid of the fog from allergies and allow a full spectrum of function.  I can't put it into words very well, but depression isn't sadness, nor is happiness the opposite (nor the solution).

My first diagnosis was ADHD, in first grade. And it wasn't merely a matter of not sitting still.  Indeed, I would sit wuietly in my room for hours, reading or making up stories with my toys.  However, if I was bored or unengaged -- such as in school, where I swiftly mastered the material and was not permitted to constantly interject -- I did not.  I'm not 100% certain I have ADHD, as my diagnoses have changed over the years multiple times.  I believe at one point ADHD was removed, but I think it was recently re-added, combined with depression, instead of bipolarity.

Whether rp is an effective coping skill depends on the person.  A lot of people say, for example, to do a little cleaning every day, so it's not overwhelming.  But just dusting or just sweeping is equally stressful to me as scrubbing the entire kitchen from ceiling to floor.  So breaking it up is actually counterproductive, in my case.  I remember having a few other examples like this, where the general advice is useless and actually hurts, in my case.  This means that it's less the rp and more the actively ignoring the issue that causes breakdowns or explosions.  ...in addition to trying and failing, of course.

I will also say that simply accepting that there's an issue is not sufficient.  It is a step in a process that generally spans a lifetime.  Mental illness is a continuing issue, and so handling it is necessary long-term.