either about yourself or about life.

feel free to add stuff when you think of it.

1. don't be embarrassed about an issue you have. their's at least 1 other person out their with that issue too

2. talking on a forum about how you feel is so much easier than talking in face to face. sometimes, I think it's easier to talk to a stranger because they don't know you and they can't ruin things for you

3. some issues are a lot more common than I originally thought.

4. virtual hugs feel so good

[Daonnachd]

I have learnt to honour and respect the experiences of others. I used to be more self-centred.

[Mopey]

One thing I've been very surprised to learn is how much in thrall many of us are to our therapists, and how much power they seem to hold over our lives.

I thought I was the only one until I started reading other people's experiences on this forum.

[Mountaindewed]

I’ve realized that at times I’m not doing quite as good as I think I’m doing. 2 months ago I was looking at my Facebook posts from October 2019- March 2020 and I was thinking “wow I was doing so great back then. I miss those times. Then I went through my PC posts from the same time and I realized that I was deeply struggling at the time I just wasn’t letting anyone on Facebook know. I can at times be 2 completely different people and PC has made me realize that and allowed me to go back to my old posts and see what progress I’ve made.

[*Beth*]

What a great question, RV!

On PC...

I've learned that I become strongly attached to many of the people I meet online. People's personalities and what makes us the individuals we are comes across so clearly online.

I've learned that I am moodier than I had realized I was.

I'm learning when to stay and when to walk away.

I've learned that people are truly interesting.

I've learned not to throw a tantrum when I start a thread and no one answers it for 2 days. i.e., not to take every bit of life so personally.

Being supportive/supported has a profound effect upon our lives.

[RoxanneToto]

I’m still a bit too negative at times and need to think even more before I post some things.
The path to recovery sometimes involves stepping backwards too.
There is hope for my “condition” to improve if I have therapy. I’m almost ready.
If you’re still bothered by something that happened years ago, it’s probably worth talking about, even if it’s relatively minor.

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by RoxanneToto

I’m still a bit too negative at times and need to think even more before I post some things.
The path to recovery sometimes involves stepping backwards too.
There is hope for my “condition” to improve if I have therapy. I’m almost ready.
If you’re still bothered by something that happened years ago, it’s probably worth talking about, even if it’s relatively minor.

Good post!

[Fuzzybear]

Originally Posted by BethRags

What a great question, RV!

On PC...

I've learned that I become strongly attached to many of the people I meet online. People's personalities and what makes us the individuals we are comes across so clearly online.

I've learned that I am moodier than I had realized I was.

I'm learning when to stay and when to walk away.

I've learned that people are truly interesting.

I've learned not to throw a tantrum when I start a thread and no one answers it for 2 days. i.e., not to take every bit of life so personally.

Being supportive/supported has a profound effect upon our lives.

Good post

[Crazy Hitch]

I am not unique in my experiences. I can identify with so many stories on this forum it’s like I’m reading my life story.

I can open up here about how I truly feel and not feel judged. Mostly.

I can discuss my greatness fears and anxieties that I can’t talk to people about IRL.

Originally Posted by RoxanneToto

I’m still a bit too negative at times and need to think even more before I post some things.
The path to recovery sometimes involves stepping backwards too.
There is hope for my “condition” to improve if I have therapy. I’m almost ready.
If you’re still bothered by something that happened years ago, it’s probably worth talking about, even if it’s relatively minor.

I need to do a bit more gratitude and being thankful

forgot to add that

these are great comments all.

love them

[daladico]

I’ve been trying to do it “alone” without people who truly understand for far too long.
I need to put more effort into connecting with my feelings.
I need to get out of the box I’ve put myself in.
I need to reach out to you guys more.
You are incredible people who I respect and admire greatly.

[fern46]

I learned that the most inspiring group of warrior/survivors I would ever have the pleasure of speaking with existed here.

I learned a wide array of tools and the various symptoms they are good for.

I learned how to monitor patterns and assess when they are heading in a bad direction.

I learned strangers can provide more genuine and valuable support than some of my friends.

I learned I wasn't alone.

I learned it is ok to be who and what I am.

I learned that some of what I was told in the hospital was crap and I need to follow my instincts.

I learned that in many cases patients are much more knowledgeable and accurate than providers.

I learned a diagnosis isn't a sentence for a life of suffering.

[Nammu]

I learned not to react so fast and fear BP. Because not everything is BP. Sometimes I just got to take a deep breath and relax. Sure enough it’s just a blip.

I learned not to post fast but to sit with a troubling post before I respond. To read though my post before I hit reply.

[bpcyclist]

Originally Posted by daladico

I’ve been trying to do it “alone” without people who truly understand for far too long.
I need to put more effort into connecting with my feelings.
I need to get out of the box I’ve put myself in.
I need to reach out to you guys more.
You are incredible people who I respect and admire greatly.

Yay! Super excited for you.

I must say, after decades of trying not to die from this illness, that it would not be possible for me to still be alive and even kind of thriving now without the never-ceasing love and support from other humans. I am sure there are people who can do this illness alone, but I am not one of the.

Keep doing what you are doing. We are here for you!

[Fuzzybear]

Originally Posted by fern46

I learned that the most inspiring group of warrior/survivors I would ever have the pleasure of speaking with existed here.

I learned a wide array of tools and the various symptoms they are good for.

I learned how to monitor patterns and assess when they are heading in a bad direction.

I learned strangers can provide more genuine and valuable support than some of my friends.

I learned I wasn't alone.

I learned it is ok to be who and what I am.

I learned that some of what I was told in the hospital was crap and I need to follow my instincts.

I learned that in many cases patients are much more knowledgeable and accurate than providers.

I learned a diagnosis isn't a sentence for a life of suffering.

Good post. I particularly like this part

''I learned that in many cases patients are much more knowledgeable and accurate than providers''

and

''I learned that some of what I was told in the hospital was crap and I need to follow my instincts''

I agree with all of this

''I learned that the most inspiring group of warriors/ survivors are right here

its ok to be who and what I am

[Fuzzybear]

Also - I'm learning not to immediately judge myself or draw a conclusion if I sense something that confuses me... (interpersonal dynamics, close or closer friends (past or present) etc....) This has happened today so it's on my mind This probably makes no sense. And maybe it's ok not to always make sense, or to make a mistake.

[Fuzzybear]

I prefer replies that say more than...

Thank you.

or

ok

otoh I LOVE hugs

[daladico]

Originally Posted by fern46

I learned that the most inspiring group of warrior/survivors I would ever have the pleasure of speaking with existed here.

I learned a wide array of tools and the various symptoms they are good for.

I learned how to monitor patterns and assess when they are heading in a bad direction.

I learned strangers can provide more genuine and valuable support than some of my friends.

I learned I wasn't alone.

I learned it is ok to be who and what I am.

I learned that some of what I was told in the hospital was crap and I need to follow my instincts.

I learned that in many cases patients are much more knowledgeable and accurate than providers.

I learned a diagnosis isn't a sentence for a life of suffering.

Love these, Fern 💛💛💛
I’m gonna steel one of these as my new mantra if it’s ok with you 😉
“it is ok to be who and what I am.“ 💫

[daladico]

Originally Posted by bpcyclist

Yay! Super excited for you.

I must say, after decades of trying not to die from this illness, that it would not be possible for me to still be alive and even kind of thriving now without the never-ceasing love and support from other humans. I am sure there are people who can do this illness alone, but I am not one of the.

Keep doing what you are doing. We are here for you!

Thanks so much bpcyclist. Your wisdom and insight and support have helped me so much!
And you were right- allowing myself to connect with others who understand on a deeper level really does make a difference 💛

[fern46]

Originally Posted by daladico

Love these, Fern 💛💛💛
I’m gonna steel one of these as my new mantra if it’s ok with you 😉
“it is ok to be who and what I am.“ 💫

Go for it!

[Soupe du jour]

I learned that PC is a very caring and supportive community.

I found that though we do share some similar experiences with bipolar disorder, that there are also differences. Also, individual personality traits contribute to differences, as well as a variety of coexisting conditions/struggles. We are all unique people separated from mental illness. Even those that think they aren't are.

I've learned so much from others here, in so many ways. The above-mentioned variety of people have contributed knowledge and suggestions that I may not have learned more locally. This is not just about bipolar disorder.

[Fuzzybear]

Originally Posted by bpcyclist

Yay! Super excited for you.

I must say, after decades of trying not to die from this illness, that it would not be possible for me to still be alive and even kind of thriving now without the never-ceasing love and support from other humans. I am sure there are people who can do this illness alone, but I am not one of the.

Keep doing what you are doing. We are here for you!

Good post. I’m not one of them either

I have learned that I really need to try to eat better

reading through my posts in the overeating thread, it amazes me how out of my control my overeating has got.

I have also learned that I am not the only person with BDD, which is a major relief for me to be able to connect with other sufferers of it

[Fuzzybear]

That there is more to holistic wellness than ''controlling'' any illness, condition or disorder. I knew that before, intuitively.

That I am me, as is. (their projections and lies are of no value to me, their stuff irl, including inaccurate ''professionals'' irl who are welded to their ... )

That it might be worth a try consulting another professional irl if I want to (having been burnt by their sub optimal ways and lies many times, (over years) and I am not ''over'' sensitive)

I have learnt more about what makes me feel grrrrr (and why)