I am not sure if I come to these forums when I am beginning to become unstable or if the forums destablise me.

I asked a good friend, she said I seem to start going on these forums when I am looking for answers. That makes sense. So in that regard I am probably on my way to unstable before even getting here.

On the other hand, its not good for anyones mental filter to be reading this kind of thing every day.

Im am now unstable, trying to stablilise with PRN and coping strategies, Im doing ok but I get overwhelmed a lot.

[Manic Trance]

I find that the forum has a very stabilizing effect. I come when I am in harms way, and talking to people who know what I am talking about and who can give helpful advice is without a doubt stabilizing. I am actually working on coming when I am NOT feeling bad, to make it part of my care regiment proactively rather than only reactively. However, I think there can be a degree of escapism here, because it is so tempting to spend a lot of time here where you can feel comfortable knowing that people share your experiences. So that should be avoided as any kind of escapism should be avoided. Conversely, to be devils advocate, neurotypical people spend all of there time feeling understood, and comfortable in that very specific way, why is it just reality for them to have that experience, and escapism or something for us to duplicate that experience through a forum?

Anyhow, this is food for thought for me, hopefully I've said something of interest.

Soon...
MT

[Curiosity77]

I come here when I'm feeling unstable, and connecting with people here really helps.

[Skywalking]

I signed up because I was feeling disconnected and seeking answers, too. I imagine it can be either stabilizing or destabilizing depending on how you're doing already. I will say having all these resources and discussions going on simply makes me spend more time thinking about what's wrong and what might be wrong with me, which probably is not a good thing to expose myself to without grounding in the real world. I can't speak for everyone of course.

[~Christina]

I've been here for numerous years, I am okay here regardless of my moods 99.5% of the time, a few times I went into lurk mode, once I took about a week vacation.. But for me normally its a good fit daily.

If your having trouble and feeling triggered or just "worse" take a break or pick and choose threads.

Hope your feeling better

[Victoria'smom]

The forum gives me sanity. I can come here "anonymously" and tell hundreds of people my thoughts.

The only time I get affected is when I read one depressing post after another and another... Kind of lets the air out of my day.

[Mimielam]

Since I started to visit this forum it has helped me. It has not destabilized me so far. Maybe because I don't read everything. I like writing and getting feedback. I also like seeing different opinions. I appreciate having support when I'm feeling down or anxious or bad and I like thinking that just maybe, if I reply so some post that it may also provide support to someone. Being alone, having emotions, questions, etc..can sometimes be so overwhelming. On the other hand I guess if it would destabilize me, I would just pass the post that do not appeal to me.

[ChaoticSymphony]

I rarely come when Im stable. Might pop in for a few mins but then gone. I've thought this out before too. It reinforces things in me that I thought were gone, being here.

[JumpingJacks]

That's a great topic and I've wondered it myself. I think I get on here when I have a question about something or when I'm feeling alone. Sometimes I'll get on when I'm bored too just to see what people are saying. I think it has a calming effect on me for the most part. It helps to know people are thinking about the same things I am. A lot of times I just want a connection to people, even if I don't comment on anything it helps to know there are people out there like me.

[Moogieotter]

Hi Team,

Thanks for this thread. I have been on the forum for a few weeks, and it's very stimulating. I came here to help prevent myself from getting complacent in my treatment and to make give back a little. So far, it's been positive, but I do see how it might be over stimulating hearing all these struggles and our favorite illness and getting sucked into the hopelessness mindset.

There is a great deal of solid wisdom here as well. I am still taking it all in.

Thanks,

moogs

[jacky8807]

Originally Posted by ~Christina

I've been here for numerous years, I am okay here regardless of my moods 99.5% of the time, a few times I went into lurk mode, once I took about a week vacation.. But for me normally its a good fit daily.

If your having trouble and feeling triggered or just "worse" take a break or pick and choose threads.

Hope your feeling better

I agree about always picking/choosing threads
threads depending on where your at mood wise

I feel it's a give and take thing. I enjoy giving more than taking. It's therapeutic in a way, so I'm always around.

[LettinG0]

I, too, totally understand the question. I am new to the site and was VERY depressed and unstable when I first started visiting. There were some days I wondered if it was making me worse. . . I agree with the idea that if you find it reinforcing the bad or just dragging you down too much, then take a break or pick and choose the threads. We all must use all our resources in a way that works best for us. As a group of like-minded souls, we understand.

[Turtlesoup]

Great thread-I began coming here when I was unable to attend the support groups in my area due to financial reasons (although gas has went down we live on a pretty tight budget). I lurked here for a few days then decided to jump in. I usually check in a couple of times a day when I have a little free time both to find support & lend a helping hand when I can. I limit my online time because I have had problems with internet addiction in the past (online shopping being one example eek). I enjoy coming here & so far it's been very positive for me & it's great to interact with such a diverse group. There still seems to be so much stigma & negativity directed at people with mental illness & this forum shows how untrue that is-thanks here to all who have lent a helping hand when I needed it & provided excellent advice & food for thought.

[Imah]

I avoid any topic that might exacerbate my mood when I am unstable. When I come when I am feeling stable, I try to comment to help others get stable. I also come here when I need that safety net of knowing other people understand and have similar experiences. To repeat my first sentence boldly: I AVOID READING THREADS WHEN I AM UNSTABLE THAT MIGHT MAKE ME WORSE.

[gayleggg]

I try to pick and choose carefully what I read. I pay close attention to trigger icons. And on days I'm not doing well I try to limit my time to games and just friendly communications. If I find myself sinking into depression I stop and do something else.

[Bipolarchic14]

I think it depends on the person. I come here when I am down to look for answers and to remind myself that I am not alone with this. I think if you allow yourself to come here everyday to wallow in self pity and not make any positive changes to help yourself then it can cause you to be unstable for a longer period of time.

Whenever I come back here, I notice there are people on here who have posts almost everyday. If you are on here all the time, when are you trying to live your life?

When I'm feeling down and depressed, the last thing I want to do is read posts. I pretty much camp out on my couch for days.

It's more fun when manic, and of course I'm in a fantastic mood!

When I'm in a mixed state, things can go either way. I tend to be more negative and whiny. This is when things I read can bother me. I try not replying to anything because I know what I'm saying isn't going to be helpful to anyone, especially me.

[cashart10]

I don't think it stabilizes or destabilizes me. It really helps me when I need it but I can really be a leach sometimes. It gives me an opportunity to both support others and find a needed release. I use it as a coping tool.

[Trippin2.0]

I've logged in daily without fail regardless of my mood or circumstance since I signed up a few years ago.


It has never destabilized me, I'm not sure when I last posted a thread of my own though, as I have typically stuck to responding...


When I'm depressed focusing my energies on someone else in need helps get me out of my own head, and it helps me to feel like a better person. On occasion when severely depressed I have been more of a lurker as I don't articulate myself well.


In general, I login daily, but only post whenever I feel I may have something to contribute, which is usually in one of four forums...

[ozzy1313]

I visit here more when I am in a bad place and sometimes it seems to make me worse, but I don't know if that's the boards or my cycles.

I try coming on when I am good so that I can help people.

Sometimes though I internalize what others are writing and take on those feelings/actions which isn't good. Kind of like when I have a headache and research it on web.md and dx myself with some rare awful disease

[Nammu]

When I'm in the jaws of the abyss I'm mostly staring at walls, when I'm very mixed I try to stay away because I'm angry a lot and misunderstand replies. When im manic im too busy to be here. So mostly im here in the shallow dips and hills and when I'm fairly stable. I think for me PC has been pretty stabilizing and I should come on when I'm less stable. I'm more comfortable now than when I first came on but in that time I've taken a year long break plus other months long breaks when I was at my less stable self.

Thanks for this posting, it has me thinking that maybe I need to sign on and see if it helps during the more unstable times of my life.

I don't find this particular forum (for bipolar) destabilizing, although I might steer clear of certain topics. There's another forum on PC that I do feel can be very undermining. This forum's not like that one.

[prepsychmel]

I come here to get support and give support. I feel like it keeps me stable knowing there are others out there experiencing the same thing.