My Support Forums - View Single Post

(JD) · Sep 10, 2011, 06:46 PM

While I have to assume that from your post you are thinking only about how to post messages of support, remember that it takes posts asking for help to warrant the former.

It's most difficult with new members, members with certain disorders, and members who, for what ever other reasons may not want replies from particular members.

I have limited my support here, as compared to when I first came, because PC no longer needs my replies, in general.

We have to know, as those trained in giving such help, that there will be people who just don't know how to ask for or maybe receive help. Others ask for help, but what they really want is just someone to listen to them. Still others only want replies that coddle them and agree with them as they just aren't ready to move on yet.

I used to read nearly every post. Of course with the success of PC growing so large, that would take most of my time here, trying to do that. I rarely read in several forums, self limiting. When I'm feeling less vulnerable, I might pull the list of threads that have no replies, and see if I can at least get it going or bumping it up by mere posting.

When we talk face to face we read halo data. We aren't afforded that here in virtual land. And, just like in face to face, there is always that possibility that someone isn't being honest with us. Then again, they may be telling what they believe to be true, while it isn't.

It's a tough line to walk, and I suppose that is why totally healthy caregivers don't stick around her to offer help. It's very difficult to post specific enough to let the recipient feel a connection, yet general enough to appease the masses who are quick to judge and take one to task for anything they say.

I've almost decided posting isn't worth it at all... and the few times I have recently posted for support, well, let's not go there.

Thanks for this... I was just about to post about something that just occurred IRL and now I remember why not to.

It used to be that you didn't reply specifically to what another person said, unless you are supporting them as well, in agreement, but replied to the OP. Now, it appears that anyone can counter and reply to any other one, and take the thread totally off topic ending usually in disaster. I think people forget somehow that everyone, even those trying to give support to the OP, need support. IDK I guess maybe the masses now need a course in how to post and how not to.
Some would say they could use my posts as an example of the latter.

---totally frustrated (JD)