Fuzzy

I don’t think it’s a bad thing at all to fight the bullies or abusers. Doesn’t make you a bad person either as you’re only protecting yourself. I think it’s the right thing to do instead. I want to say “Fight back so that they would stop being bullies/abusers”, but sadly most of time that’s not going to happen. As you said, they’re completely lack of empathy so it’s impossible to make them understand our perspective. Rather than arguing or fight them physically, I think it’d be wiser if we just leave and avoid them. Block them from our lives. That’s how we fight back.

However the “need to fight back” may become unhealthy when we’re not in an abusive situation anymore but still want to fight back. We still want to come and yell at them for example. Holding grudges will delay us from our recovery. The best revenge for those abusers that we already left behind is by being happy with our current life

As for mental illness forums, I’d try to remember that everyone there has their own illnesses. Certain diagnoses don’t get along with each other and we might trigger each other’s symptoms. I’d say just avoid certain forums that make you feel uncomfortable. I do try to avoid certain forums myself. Sending hugs