Not so bad?

It's weird how being on here for even just a few days feels like it puts my problems into a slightly different perspective. I'm starting to feel like my life isn't so bad and maybe I'm just being too whiny about everything. On the other hand, if I went looking for help then I have a problem and comparing my situation and my ability to deal to others who have a completely different starting/current point in their own healing seems counter intuitive. Yes, my situation is not so bad compared to what some people are currently experiencing, but not getting help means that my own problems are going to escalate to the point where I may become the measurement of "at least I'm not dealing with that".

Still, I feel a little guilty, like my being here is wasting time that could be spent on people who are obviously in much more need. I understand on a logical level that this sort of thinking isn't going to help my situation, but I can't completely shake the feeling.

I think that we all move through different phases of our life here ... sometimes when things are going well - and unfortunately at times when we may be facing troubles. Either way, I think we belong and have a place.

There's so much out there in the world and some people may be facing greater challenges than us at certain times.

But please don't ever feel guilty about being here.

I think Psych Central is good in that way. It's a little like group therapy with a super-large group.

If you're in a better place than some other people who post here, you may have something to say that's helpful to them.

As far as when to seek help, if you're not functioning at a "normal" level for you and it's causing you distress or practical problems, then of course you need to seek help.
Remember that there are thousands of people reading the posts on these forums. The person who might reply to your post is quite possibly not the same person who would reply to a post by someone who is seriously mentally ill.

There's plenty of energy and attention to go around here (which doesn't usually seem to be the case in "real life.) I know emotions don't operate according to logic, so that may not have helped at all.

I'm glad that you're here.