[monochromatic]

There are so many tough, tough situations we all go through. But sometimes when I check the forums (which normally makes me feel better) I happen to read something that makes me worry that I'll never feel happy... I'll always feel "messed up"... this will be a struggle until the day I die. Especially seeing that the majority of people that post here are struggling so much.

(Granted, I'm in a mixed state).

Do you think that these forums represent what most people with bipolar are feeling? Or is it like any other website, where people really only post when they are unhappy (negative product reviews, etc).

Are there happy bipolar people out there in the world living, that just don't need the support here, or at other forums?

[Moose72]

I think its a little of both. Those who are in remission are in a better place to help, I think.

[Amelie10]

Read the Bipolar Success Stories, they are in a separate forum. They are very encouraging. I tend to post more when I am in a bad place and sadly when I feel stable or good I don't want to spend time remembering when I wasn't. I think that is why there is more negative than positive. People are on the forums because they are struggling and need answers.

I am doing well right now. I have a lot of gratitude today and hope for the future. I hope you do to.

[Victoria'smom]

I feel generally I'm happy. My sig. has more to do with my guilt from my latest stint with hypo mania but I am becoming depressed. I think life is hard for everyone we just need extra support so we reach out here, and to my therapist.

[dubblemonkey]

they freak me out all the time everytime...

it's the most un-natural interpersonal environment I can imagine.

I am still very uncomfortable and not used to it.

I deleted my account once...
changed my name also
changed it back
I go invisible and then I show I am here...

I have this uncontrollable urge to write...
and then I am terrified by it...

the amount of fear I experience here is directly proportionate to how much I need to express it...

I cannot win

my bpd demands validation and this is achieved regardless if anyone replies.

I am a victim I have become too involved but I will likely never feel comfortable here.

I discovered without even looking that it's not a place to say..."hey I'm all better now"

I get some relief with that

they only freak me out when i log in and see how many posts have been made and i'm like... seriously?.

but it's a good forum... without it, i doubt i'd be here- really.

[A Red Panda]

I think when people are feeling good about things, they post here less because they aren't needing the support as much.

People who have bipolar aren't feeling horrible all the time, just sometimes when we're really depressed.

If reading those posts trigger you, then try to give them a pass. You can usually tell by the thread title. You can also make a more positive thread, or try to anyway, or post in others that get made on occasion.

[Zabine]

I am happy since I am learning to take better care of myself.

[Rayan Adams]

Originally Posted by Moose72

I think its a little of both. Those who are in remission are in a better place to help, I think.

me too

[monochromatic]

That makes a lot of sense. Even though it freaks me out, I'm still glad I've found this forum.

I get anxious coming here sometimes. Its been more helpful than not though. Mostly I worry that someone is going to attack my posts or opinion as thats what happens on some (non psyc) forums I am on, but its not really happened.

I get a bit down sometimes when I see how much people are suffering and there are some really simple things they could do to lift their moods, but less people are open to suggestions than I expected. I know that what works for me might not work for others, but I figure when you're that sick anything is worth a try.

[Anika.]

Hmm. I am here, happy and content generally, tho not always was. I am in remission of sorts so I don't really make threads much.. but come here to check in on friends I have made here, offer support where I feel I can, and sometimes I just read.. sometimes I take a break for a while.

But I do think that often when members are doing well they tend to not come on much like has been said. There are a lot people with bipolar out there who are doing well. I agree that reading the success stories part of the forum can be inspirational and a bit more positive and hopeful.

I do not believe we have to stuggle till the day we die. I just don't. I do think we play a role in our struggles even if we have bipolar. We can still learn how to bring a sence of contentment and peace to our lives.

I think most people who come here are not doing so well in the first place and are looking for help or support. Folks who are doing well are usually adhering to daily living routines that include family and friend time, exercise time, stuff like that and dont spend as much time on forums.

My ther believes this to be a destabilising place to be, I had been quite well for a long time until recently and the timing coincides with my coming back to the forum. But it could also have just been a coincidence.

[Moose72]

Originally Posted by emomom

I think most people who come here are not doing so well in the first place and are looking for help or support. Folks who are doing well are usually adhering to daily living routines that include family and friend time, exercise time, stuff like that and dont spend as much time on forums.

My ther believes this to be a destabilising place to be, I had been quite well for a long time until recently and the timing coincides with my coming back to the forum. But it could also have just been a coincidence.

Your T said this forum is destabilizing? I'd think that people come here who are not stable in the first place.

[Anika.]

Originally Posted by emomom

My ther believes this to be a destabilising place to be, I had been quite well for a long time until recently and the timing coincides with my coming back to the forum. But it could also have just been a coincidence.

I think that is really possible. It can be overwhelming and depressing or the other way. It is a lot to take in and hard to keep boundaries of how much you feel for or take on. I bet that is common, and of course wanting to help others too and sometimes you just can't. So yes I can see how forums like this could be destabilizing at times. Important to practice self care here and try to seperate others problems from our own, it's not always easy.

Plus negativity can breed negativity, hoplessness can breed more hoplessness. Makes sense to me.

She said it was destabilising for me.

[~Christina]

Originally Posted by emomom

She said it was destabilising for me.

I feel like everyone has to look at there own unique situations , coming here , self care , routines etc... I sometimes have to step back from PC I could be in any number of moods happy , sad , mad , etc.. There are some topics on PC in general that I just have to avoid , If i open a thread and its one of a few things I stop reading close it and move on.

Bipolar is such a unique thing that I really try to live by the "life is a buffet" It's up to me what I allow in my life and what I don't.... I have ultimate control.

Honestly I think there is a pretty good mix of people, topics and moods... There are times when I am not in a good place but I can come on here and give advice and support .. It kind of gets me out of my own head for a while.

Do what you feel is going to help you feel better

I can see how this place can be destabilizing for some. Sometimes I worry that I will pick up behaviours I didnt have before, but this hasnt happened thankfully. I think I am at a stage of my recovery that it wont happen. The SI forum concerns me at times, I know there are many young women on this site who may get ideas and encouragement for SI. I do find some advice here to be quite bizarre, but thats really to be expected and happens on most forums.

[Victoria'smom]

I was also told by T I may not want to be an active member because concentrating on my mental illness is probably not helpful.