This isn't specifically aimed toward anyone, I just thought it appropriate to the discussion:

“It's okay to disagree with the thoughts or opinions expressed by other people. That doesn't give you the right to deny any sense they might make. Nor does it give you a right to accuse someone of poorly expressing their beliefs just because you don't like what they are saying. Learn to recognize good writing when you read it, even if it means overcoming your pride and opening your mind beyond what is comfortable.”
― Ashly Lorenzana

I think, maybe, as some of us are growing up we tend to equate some concepts incorrectly. So for example, when I was young I came to see [at first], that when someone disagreed with me, it meant they were wrong- universally, positively wrong. And that particular sense of wrong had to be an absolute.

It took me a very long time, and a lot of exposure to different people and challenging situations, a couple breakdowns [um, ok more than a couple], a lot of support and a lot of personal work to be able to start understanding that there are really very very few absolutes.

So when getting into discussions on a mental health support board, you can not really ever assume anything about the person you are addressing, and i don't actually know if you, Edda, or anyone else has this thought or ones similar to it.

And it should be a simple thought, but it isn't- we only know our experience but since we only know what we experience it does not often occur without prompting that others experience the world differently.

I personally don't think this is impossible.
I think it can be difficult and frustrating. I think there can be blows to the ego, I think it can take a lot of work.

I know in trying to communicate with people- here and pretty much anywhere ever- to do so effectively, at least half the time I've had to start with the mindset of assuming I know nothing about the other person or persons involved in the conversation... and actually?
I tend to stick my foot in my mouth much less that way.

But it's hard to speak with a measure of confidence to provide support and yet assume ignorance about a situation- yet doing so enforces the need for all parties to cooperate and also share and express vital information, thoughts, ideas, opinions.

Communication is tricky. It's often difficult to know if you are being successful.
Often you don't understand the magnitude of a failure until some sort blacklash.

But, I guess that kind of excitement it what makes life enriching... or that's what I like to think to myself whenever I find I am again muffled by my sneaker.

:P

Anyway-
my $.02

Though quite long, so maybe as much as $.04.