[Little Miss Death]

it doesn't really make me feel better so much as it makes me feel worse.

[reesecups]

Originally Posted by Little Miss Death

it doesn't really make me feel better so much as it makes me feel worse.

I can understand. Sometimes I can't read this group because I'm afraid it will make me feel worse. I think you need to first take care of yourself, and if that means avoiding this group for a while or forever then that's what you need to do.

Good luck

[pegasus]

Originally Posted by Little Miss Death

it doesn't really make me feel better so much as it makes me feel worse.

When you first start to disclose information, it can make you feel vulnerable but talking about it ultimately is what helps. Pace yourself. Hugs

[Little Miss Death]

Originally Posted by reesecups

I can understand. Sometimes I can't read this group because I'm afraid it will make me feel worse. I think you need to first take care of yourself, and if that means avoiding this group for a while or forever then that's what you need to do.

Good luck

thanks, that's a good idea. i think i should just stay away.

[Martek]

Take care and be safe Little Miss Death, I hope you find what you need to keep going.

[vans1974]

I completely agree with Pegasus! Best of luck!!

There is some validity to the idea that immersing oneself _too_much_ in a supportive community can be harmful. Online support communities are meant to supplement all of the other things one is doing to further ones health and promote health and happiness. Given that support sites inevitably have a social aspect to them as well it is not uncommon that involvement in such communities might take up more and more of our time. It is really essential to find a kind of balance to this end- if there is a great imbalance in which we spend most of our time immersed in a community or environment where many individuals are struggling it can seem like the norm to struggle. So if most of the people you engage with have trouble getting out of bed on a regular basis, for example, it can cease to appear abnormal.

The issue there is that when things are not abnormal it is more difficult to reject them. Having balance, where you come here for a certain kind of support and socialization (which are VERY valuable, don't get me wrong), but then socializing with those who aren't struggling, having private quiet time, doing a hobby, challenging oneself in the day to day will likely help most individuals to benefit from what support sites have to offer.

Sometimes less truly is more, but to expose oneself constantly to situations which may focus on ones personal difficulties with functioning rather than balancing it out with exposure to opportunities for successes (of any degree or level) can actually be detrimental.

I clearly cant know, Little Miss, if the situation I described is relevant to your personal circumstance. However, it is very commendable that you are noticing a potential for negative effects and willing to step back and reassess. It is important to consider what may be helping or hurting- it isn't always obvious.

I would encourage you to not entirely shut down your engagement with PC- it is a large and supportive community and there are various ways to access that support which you may not have yet encountered. You could also consider taking a small break and resuming, at least at first, on a more limited basis.

It's all about being selfaware and it seems like that is a POV you embrace. Regardless of how or where you find it, I hope you can get whatever support you feel is most helpful and appropriate for you.

-Josie

[Little Miss Death]

i don't really have sad or happy friends. i just don't have friends.

it's more that i just don't really enjoy the experience of being a part of community. i'm a person who loves loneliness. i enjoy the lack of any voices or opinions in my life. this place is too much information and too many opinions. i prefer the silence, the beautiful lack of company in real life. i thought i wanted to be social but i was wrong. i don't enjoy the whole social experience.

[Fuzzybear]