I have been on these forums a long, long time and it is such a wonderful and diverse place.

Offering support is an art (imo) it does take practice and indeed I have got it wrong many times myself in the past. It is a learning experience. Learn. Share. Grow. As the Psych Central motto says.

Use PC to help yourself and others, support the posts that you feel you can positively contribute to. Being supportive means helping a person along their journey with comfort and wisdom. These two words can mean so much, 'comfort' what many of us were lacking in childhood and now also. 'Wisdom' words that can move us forward, yes that can include advice but without thrusting it down someones throat. It's not what you say but how you say it.

It does not help anyone at all to reply to something that we are triggered by. We feel bad, the original poster feels bad and no good comes from it other than hard feelings.

Also, don't forget PC has wonderful tools for self-care. The ignore feature means you can stop seeing the body of posts of someone that triggers you. Just go to the members profile and next to 'send message' is a tab saying, 'User lists' click on that then click, 'Ignore' Job done and then you can get on with enjoying Psych Central, supporting others and asking for support.

Happy supporting!