I don't think you are "obligated" to block them, to read, to respond, to not read, to not respond, etc. I think it just depends on you and what you can deal with and what is harder to deal with. I think really just take it day by day and post by post. If you are having a particularly hard week or feeling more emotional than what you normal do, then maybe you set a boundary for yourself "Well today I am going to stay away from So and So's thread" If you are struggling with blocking but then going to read it anyway in hopes to find something good...then just monitor your reactions to their actions. Like Chris said-its about taking care of you. I am very easily triggered so I don't tend to read a lot. Or respond a lot. I'm also shy. But that is something I am doing to take care of me, not because I don't want to be a source of support. At the end of the day, the decision is yours but just make sure MKAC is getting what MKAC needs in order to take care.