[*Beth*]

Some members on PC have personal threads posted. I am one of those who do. My thread is specifically focused on the treatment of my bipolar disorder. I have serious difficulty remembering medication, dates, dosage, and so on. I use my thread to keep track of what is an extremely important aspect of my treatment - specifically, medication.

Of course, I appreciate any feedback on my thread, but I do not expect anyone to read or comment on it.

I've taken flack from some members about having my own thread. I am unclear as to why personal threads annoy some people. The truth is that for me, this is the easiest place to keep track of and organize my own treatment regimen. It's as simple as that.

The subject of personal threads has been brought up on the Community Feedback board. Doc John has approved the posting of a personal thread for anyone who wants to do so, on the board that feels most comfortable for the member.

I just want to clarify this issue.

[seesaw]

Beth, I visit the Bipolar forum to provide support, as it's not one of my acronyms (bad joke), but I feel like, in a way all threads are really personal threads and if you want to continue to update one thread then why not?

I have threads dating back to when I joined 6years ago. And it's very helpful for me to look back and see what I wrote about what was happening, especially at times when I was less stable, and I'm trying to remember what happened.

I'm not sure what anyone else's issue is with is. I support people starting threads for their ongoing support if that helps them. I also support them creating specific threads about specific problems, if that helps them as well. I support people getting support however they need it.

You do you.

A journal and a calendar both exist, as I’m sure you are aware.

If I to wager, any input or support along the way from a community you value is nice and beneficial for you. You deserve every bit of that. Just like everyone else. Annoying or more appropriate in another thread aside — this really shouldn’t be an issue and splitting hairs is not the way to go.

I support you using the thread and your personal posts about meds and bipolar. I commend you for being strong enough to share. It’s a good thing, it even may helps others.

Best of luck

[*Beth*]

Thank you so, so much seesaw. I've been trying not to be defensive when people have criticized personal threads, but tonight I guess I've heard it one too many times, and it's starting to sting.

Your own example is excellent, and is exactly what I am establishing. It's so easy to forget - especially when we are not stable.

I love that you said we are supporting ourselves with our own threads.

Again - thanks

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by MarcusAurelius

A journal and a calendar both exist, as I’m sure you are aware.

If I to wager, any input or support along the way from a community you value is nice and beneficial for you. You deserve every bit of that. Just like everyone else. Annoying or more appropriate in another thread aside — this really shouldn’t be an issue and splitting hairs is not the way to go.

I support you using the thread and your personal posts about meds and bipolar. I commend you for being strong enough to share. It’s a good thing, it even may helps others.

Best of luck

I don't journal because I have a pretty bad hand tremor as a med side effect. It's literally painful to write more than a couple of sentences.

Either my computer doesn't have a Word Pad (or similar) program, or I don't know how to use it. I'm not very tech savvy, unfortunately.

Thank you for your support.

I wish this forum has it's own subforum for journals and personal threads (like a personal ranting space).

here me out:

as said above, every thread is personal. you start a thread, that's yours. you can update it as often as you like, but when is the point it isn't personal anymore. comments you don't want, too many replies, arguments breaking out on the thread.. I'd personally like to see a section of the forum where people can start a thread, and that truly is their private thread. I think I'd use it, too (though I am also quite happy posting in the pubblic threads) yet: their are still things I'd wish to say that I wouldn't want anyone reading, which might apply to other people too

[Fuzzybear]

Great post Bethrags. I agree with the others here who have posted saying basically how I feel ... you do you Plenty of us here support you and care about you, including me I think its brave and appropriate to keep track of your journey with bipolar. I personally find the general ''check in'' thread overwhelming at times (CPTSD triggers for me etc)

It can sting when particular sorts of threads are criticised.... maybe something that ''annoys'' person x or q is welcomed and appreciated by persons a,b and y.

[bpcyclist]

You have been so helpful and supportive to me, Beth, and I am very grateful and I support you fully on this Fwiw.

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by raging vortex

I wish this forum has it's own subforum for journals and personal threads (like a personal ranting space).

here me out:

as said above, every thread is personal. you start a thread, that's yours. you can update it as often as you like, but when is the point it isn't personal anymore. comments you don't want, too many replies, arguments breaking out on the thread.. I'd personally like to see a section of the forum where people can start a thread, and that truly is their private thread. I think I'd use it, too (though I am also quite happy posting in the pubblic threads) yet: their are still things I'd wish to say that I wouldn't want anyone reading, which might apply to other people too

Someone has proposed a board specifically for personal threads. It might have been because that person wasn't comfortable with personal threads, or maybe someone else chimed in about not being comfortable with them (I don't exactly remember). Doc John's reply (I'm paraphrasing) was that he didn't see a need for that kind of board at this time, and that anyone who wants to run a personal thread is approved to do so.

I think personal threads are a wonderful way to keep track of our healing journey in whatever way we want to do so. I enjoy those types of threads - I mean, I enjoy reading them. I would happily support more of them. I appreciate that a member, if s/he is ready, trusts me/us enough to share parts of their lives in such a way.

I, too, would like to have a specific board for personal threads, but maybe there aren't enough people doing that type of thread in order to justify starting a whole board. Maybe a social group would work as a place for personal threads? Kind of an interesting idea.

I haven't seen any issues with personal threads (besides a few people complaining about them). But, if disagreements do show up and get to a point at which they are not productive and are triggering people, well...for me the "blocking" option is helpful. Fortunately, so far my experience with my own thread is that I've received some great support and suggestions on it - or no comments at all, which is definitely okay.

Anyway, thanks very much for your input, rv.

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by Fuzzybear

Great post Bethrags. I agree with the others here who have posted saying basically how I feel ... you do you Plenty of us here support you and care about you, including me I think its brave and appropriate to keep track of your journey with bipolar. I personally find the general ''check in'' thread overwhelming at times (CPTSD triggers for me etc)

It can sting when particular sorts of threads are criticised.... maybe something that ''annoys'' person x or q is welcomed and appreciated by persons a,b and y.

Thank you so much, Fuzzy. I feel honored that you have shared your wisdom (and humor) with your post

Being triggered is an excellent point. That's something I never used to respect for myself...I passed off being triggered as a weakness in myself. I no longer do that. I now honor my mental health by doing all I can in order not to be triggered.

Again, thank you. I am grateful to you.

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by bpcyclist

You have been so helpful and supportive to me, Beth, and I am very grateful and I support you fully on this Fwiw.

Thank you so much, bpc I feel privileged to give you support and to be here as your friend.

My comment will probably piss a lot of people off, but in my honest opinion? It's not that hard for people to just ignore a thread and move on. If you don't like a personal thread, so what? Just ignore the thread. It's not like this whole BP forum is "clogged" with personal threads anyways, so I think that "personal threads overtaking the forum" is a very, very poor argument. In fact, I think GiddyKitty, Bizi, and you (Beth) are the only ones in this BP forum who have personal threads that are active. I even counted how many threads are on one page here: 20. So if 3 people have personal threads on the front page, there are 17 other threads to look at. If you want more threads, go to the second page, or third, or fourth...

Edit: would people rather see someone make 20 threads, one each day, chronicling their life story... or would they rather the threads be condensed into one they can easily ignore? I mean, that is what would happen if personal threads are not allowed. Most people aren't going to clog up the check in thread.