[thesnowqueen]

Because I do not have many friends, but do have a strong need for connection, I spend quite a lot of time on internet forums; probably too much time. One problem is that if I reply to someone, or comment about something and get no response I tend to interpret that as rejection, or else see my own comment as worthless. Rationally I know there are lots of reasons there may be no reply, but I still struggle with it emotionally, and the whole process becomes very anxious. Does anyone else identify?

[Yoda]

When I first came here I thought I was ignored sometimes and would feel bad but then I realized that there are more than 1000 new posts each day here so sometimes posts just get overlooked. Sometimes I will see a post and want to respond but not have the time and later can't find it. So keep posting and you will find helpful people, I believe.

[thesnowqueen]

Originally Posted by Yoda

When I first came here I thought I was ignored sometimes and would feel bad but then I realized that there are more than 1000 new posts each day here so sometimes posts just get overlooked. Sometimes I will see a post and want to respond but not have the time and later can't find it. So keep posting and you will find helpful people, I believe.

Thanks for the reassurance, Yoda! Or should I say, 'For the reassurance, I thank you!'

[sundog]

Hi thesnowqueen. I can relate. It doesn't make me feel anxious, but I do feel hurt sometimes. I find that I am most sensitive to this when I'm already feeling down. If my self-esteem is already very low, then I am much more likely to take things personally and feel rejected etc. But if my mood is upbeat or even just stable, then it doesn't bother me nearly so much if I'm not acknowledged.

Ironically, this means that I am most active on support sites when I'm feeling ok!! Because if I'm feeling fragile, it can all be too triggering for me.

I've heard similar things from other people on internet forums too, so I don't think it's uncommon at all to feel upset if you don't get a response, especially for folks who are already dealing with some form of social anxiety. This is a pretty active forum so I'm sure you will get responses, even if they may not always be immediate.

Anyhow, just wanted to say that I can relate! And also to say welcome!!!!

[thesnowqueen]

[QUOTE=sundog;1856036]Hi thesnowqueen. I can relate. It doesn't make me feel anxious, but I do feel hurt sometimes. I find that I am most sensitive to this when I'm already feeling down. If my self-esteem is already very low, then I am much more likely to take things personally and feel rejected etc. But if my mood is upbeat or even just stable, then it doesn't bother me nearly so much if I'm not acknowledged.

Thanks for the welcome, Sundog! I react this way even if I'm pretty stable - so its definitely something I need to work on. Its great that you are here to offer support even when you are doing fine - but sad, of course, that you are not able to get support when you need it.

[Ambrosa]

I too can relate. It does get me down and in a way makes & me feel lonely. (that's the only way to describe it) Specially if I am panicing in the middle of the night and no one answers. but then I think i am on the other side of the world to most people on here so they are out and about.

[BatsAndButterflies]

I can definitely relate. If I don't get a quick response, I automatically get this horrible feeling of dread in my stomach and think "I just shouldn't have said anything".

I think we tend to try and "mind read" thinking people are intentionally ignoring our post or think we are dumb for posting or something like that.

[Can't Stop Crying]

Sometimes people don't really have the right words to say or worry about saying the wrong thing (I know I worry about upsetting a member with my response a lot) And like others have said...there are so many posts on this forum, you could be posting in an area that doesn't get a lot of "traffic". I think Yoda said it perfectly, keep posting and I'll bet you find the support you're looking for!

Welcome to PC!