Quote:
Originally Posted by Ygrec23
The central aim and purpose of all of our activity here on PC is to write and post things that aid, succor and comfort new or older members who bring with them to these pages pain, misery and sometimes bewilderment for which we, as non-professionals, can offer some degree of compassion, sympathy and direction. Yeah. That's what we do, or try to do. In our several and different ways.
But closer reading of tens of thousands of PC posts reveals that different members have different philosophies (conscious or unconscious) of HOW it is best (or most desirable, or most effective) for us to offer that compassion, sympathy or direction.
There are many, many, different kinds and levels of helpful posts. Some writers prefer what might be called a minimalist approach, enclosing in their messages as much practical information as possible but as little of their own personal feelings as they can. Others restrict themselves only to their own feelings, their sympathy, their compassion. Still others spend significant time describing how they too have experienced situations and feelings similar to those expressed by the writer of the call for help.
From the point of view of the RECIPIENTS of such aid and comfort messages (probably the majority of us at one time or another), the point of view of new members or old members posting the original calls for help, are any of these different modes of responding better, more helpful than others? Is it a matter of personal taste on the part of those who are hurting? Or are all of these different types of responses equally helpful in informing those in pain that there are folks here who truly feel not only for them but with them?
Of course, the vast majority of PC members do their absolute personal best to compose and post messages as helpful as possible for those in pain and distress. But do those in pain, or who have been in pain, who are reading this thread-opener, have anything else to tell us that could help us improve what we do when we respond to messages for help? A little bit more of this? A bit less of that? Or have we wound up in The Goldilocks Zone, as the astronomers say, where everything as it is right now is just right? Take care!  |
the reason there is so much diversity in the posts is because we all are not in the same locations - we all live in different continents, countries, states, cities and towns. we also all have different ways we were raised, different races, different handicaps, different religions, different political standards and views.. different ways we were educated during the school yrs..different mental disorders, different physical problems, different ways to cope...and many other differences that affect what we want to post.
psych central can set general rules for posting such as all posts must be of the supportive nature.. but they dont tell us one way or the other is right or most effective, Im guessing because one way may help one person and may not help another and vice versa what doesnt help one person will help another.
my posting style is trifold -
I remain moderated so that the moderators can help me when needed, so you might say my style of posting is in direct relation to posting the way the moderators want me to.
I post about me where I know what I have been through will help another member , keeping in mind what I post wont help everyone so not to take it personally when someone rejects or has a strong reaction to what I post. I know what I post is within the standards of this site because the moderators would not post my posts after they have reviewed them if my posting was not the way it should be for psych central forums.
I also post to give support to those in need.
On occasion I start threads but not very often due to I do have resources outside of psych central that most people here do not have, when it comes to dealing with their problems, and also because there are very few if any psych central members dealing with the type of problems I deal with. to put it bluntly how many of us here have to deal with witnessing clients abusive spouses, partners shoot the client with a gun, how many of us with Dissociative disorders have integrated their alters.. how many of us college students have completed all our degrees and now attend college not because we have to but because we want to for enjoyment, hobbies and recreational outlets.. theres not that many people dealing with the same issues I am so I tend to keep my starting threads at a minimum and focus on helping where I can.
