regarding Psychcentral specifically, I'm not sure people come here with the intent of staying "ill". I think the majority of the posters come here seeking recognition that the road to recovery is hard.

And to realize it does not have to be a solitary journey.

We come here in a stages of recovery. Some are just starting, some are in the middle of the road, some are close to completion. Some are here to send up flares for help, while others come to leave guideposts along the way.

Undoubtedly there are those who are comfortable in their present state, and by that I mean where they are is all they have ever known.

It's hard to break out of that comfort zone - pathological and damaging as it may be, as for many the "world of well" brings about as much, if not more stress, than the "world of unwell".

I have a lot of experience in rescuing animals from some horrid situations. I've learned a lot from them about recovery from abuse.

One, for instance, was kept in a dark basement it's whole life. It hated (read - was petrified by) the light when introduced to it for the first time. It took years for this creature to accept this simple thing that so many take for granted.

Another large animal was kept in a tiny crate. When introduced to a large, comfortable enclosure the animal stopped eating. It was only when the tiny crate was re-introduced into the enclosure that his health improved. He had to spend time in his crate, then gradually move and accept the improved, but completely unfamiliar surroundings.

Some animals take to their new and better life like ducks to water; while others require accommodation and adjustment.

It's hard from the outside looking in to understand why in the world anything would chose to stay in the dark, or chose to stay confined.

What one has to do is look, not from the outside in, but from the inside out for understanding.

Now obviously humans aren't animals, but one cannot underestimate the power of instinct and fear when considering human behaviour.

It's not for us to judge when or how someone will step out into the light or out of the box.