Lurkers - Why Don’t You Post?

Yes!
And
yes.

I always lurk when too unwell to post. When severely unwell I can’t even lurk and disappear completely. I tend to post most when slightly hypomanic and occasionally psychotic. I can see the benefit people would get out of this site without posting though. So much information from people who are going through different kinds of BP issues to glean from. I’m fact lurking is what started me posting here.

I don't post that often on the bipolar forum because I remain unsure if I am bipolar. Lately, I mostly feel stable, normal but I am unable to sleep without my medications and have trouble regulating my emotions without medications. Before medications, I had days where I couldn't sleep but it usually wasn't every day. Perhaps I have simply become dependent on these medications. Perhaps my medications made me unstable but were necessary because I was so suicidal. My former psychiatrists never talked to me about my diagnosis--I only know them from obtaining copies of my records (mood disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder). This year--I am not at all depressed!!!! This makes me so happy because I know what it is like to be severely depressed, I thank my lucky stars every day that I am not depressed-- my heart goes out to all that are in that hole. I am now working with a VA psychitrist who talks to me an entire hour including my diagnosis. She says I probably do not have mania because I have only been hospitalized for my mental illness once but perhaps I have hypomania. As an experiment, she cut my bupropion from 150 mg per day to 100 mg a day because it could be contributing to my anxiety/possible hypomania. She is only sure that I have problems with anxiety but still evaluating if I am bipolar. Maybe I just wondered if I was bipolar because my attempt in 2015 was so shocking (I nearly died and have permanent chronic pain from it--I was majorly depressed when I did it.) That whole episode was so confusing--today is the three year anniversary of it--but I am putting it all behind me.

I lurk on the bipolar forum sometimes because I like the people at this forum!

i lurk when I have nothing more to add to a conversation, or I'm just too tired to type. Sometimes I'll type something and not send it. But more often than not, I tend to speak up. For one, it helps me keep my place (ha!) and for two, it helps me benefit more when I can feel engaged in a topic. Sometimes I'm cool with just posting and having folks read, but most of the time I'd rather have the feedback. (this time I do not NEED the feedback, but always feel welcome to comment <3 )

I've made a few posts and comments over the past few years but now I'm a lurker (until this post, haha).
I usually login when I'm hypomanic. Not sure why?
But either way, I try not to give advice or talk to too many people while hypomanic because; 1. I could spiral worse and 2. I get pretty mean and causing fights online, or in person, is a bad choice for me in that state.

I guess I don't login while I'm neutral or down because when neutral I'm living my life and while down, I don't turn on my phone or computer.

I was a lurker for months when I joined. I was very depressed. I didn't feel I had worth while contributions. I didn't feel accepted here.

Then I was hospitalized, got better meds and boom I'm back to my never stop talking self. If (when) I get depressed again I have no doubt I'll crawl back into the shadows.

Another reason I don’t post more is I’m unsure about my “dxs” (I’ve been given several, (at least one was definitely wrong .I don’t believe even a “good” doctor would necessarily get this “right” in just 10 minutes uk) and.. many know about some of my experiences with “meds”

I enjoy your posts and support, fuzzy!

I can't speak for everyone here, but I don't mind if someone here is truly bipolar or not. Dx's don't matter to me.

I'd like to point out that lots of people who post here suffer from only MDD or have schizoaffective, but it's too easy to forget that those people deal with a lot of the symptoms BP people deal with. I mean, the forum is about giving and getting support. If this is the place where you can get your support, then go for it. If you want to give support, then go for it too. Don't let dx's hold you back!

I lurk when I don't have words. I find I'm often to quite to type. So most of the time it is one or two sentences. It takes me a long time to type a little. The sad truth is I talk here way more than in real life.

I’m the same. Sometimes I actually have the answer to a post but because it is a huge effort in concentration and hand eye coordination (hand tremor sometimes bad) I don’t say anything. If I can stick to a few lines I respond.

90 “guests” and about 14 posters

Hopefully some of these will introduce themselves some time

I was a big poster until November of last year. Then it all went to hell. Maybe I qualify as a lurker now. Sometimes when one is in severe emotional pain, posting is just too risky.

Sharerac! Good to see you!! I’ve been worried that something happened while you were on vacation.

I am so sorry you to hear you haven’t been feeling well. You are missed