she likens it to an alcoholic who keeps visiting a bar..........

i feel like i have been dropped off a cliff. there really isnt ANY positive left in my life. I feel *done*.

I don't really get your shrink's comparison. Does she think coming to PC is making you feel worse?

My T thinks I'm addicted to PC. I do admit I'm on here quite a lot, but I don't know if I'd go so far to say it's an addiction. I think it's really helpful to me to be able to identify with others on here and have them identify with me/give support.

I think as long as you aren't just visiting and reading a ton of depressing posts, and try to visit the more uplifting or general areas of social chat, you are okay. I know I get a little bit worse because I am so sensitive and I DO really care about people, that it can be a hard day and reading others sufferings, makes me question, why, so much suffering and pain. I think your psychiatrist is wrong, just my opinion, but that person likely doesn't understand our need for community and support from others who feel like us. I think getting hugs on here, means someone has taken a moment of their precious time to think of me, hear me, and even if they don't know me in person it makes me feel good. I hope you feel better when you come here and know someone is hearing your own pain! sorry this got long

[Rohag]

Interesting. I've only mentioned PsychCentral once or twice to my pdoc, and he too has cautioned me against involving myself here. (I don't bring it up with him any more.)

Hello - Doc John: Do you run into opposition? Why?

[krisakira]

Screw them! This is a support site, for information, support, and being social with others. What is wrong with that?! Total BS in my opinion. This is not a bar to alcoholics. Sounds like they want you to stop thinking about psychology but if so then you should stop seeing them because they are doing the same thing to you- making you think about your problems and your mental state. F THEM.

Mine has encouraged me to open up and share more here ...

Interesting how different doctors view it differently.

You do what feels right for you!

[youwillrise]

ack...when i WAS in therapy, i never mentioned this place.

how do YOU feel about it? do you feel like this place helps you or hurts you? what do you value about your time here? what are your pros and cons about being here? do the pros outweigh the cons or is it the opposite?

I think it is BOTH.

I love trying to help others. It is really the only thing that I do that adds any value to this world...... BUT - it can certainly guide me back into my darkness too.

[gayleggg]

I agree with it is both. Somedays I can read and be supportive of those really down and other days I'm so down I can't read anything, too depressing. I think realizing that is the key. To know when to fall back and only visit the more up beat parts.

I welcome a lot of newcomers and somedays it's really hard to give a positive, welcoming reply, but I do the best I can when I can. It's all about monitoring my moods, which is mostly depressed, but sometimes I can be more objective and reply even though I'm depressed. I think the good outways the bad.

[Elektra_]

depends of course on the person. i dont think being here is much help for anyone. but some don know how to be here. they should know what they should read or not. and not always focus on negative feelings hat are here but also in good they can make coming here, p.e. support of others with actual insight.

[30ish]

I somewhat get what the T was saying, but I do think that it could have been phrased differently. I don't think that this site should replace treatment. I agree with needarealitycheck, it depends on a vistors intentions--what they are seeking.

For most of us it gives us hope and a support system. I've only been a member for about a week or so and I feel better knowing that there are tons of people going through some of the things that I am. Better yet, there are many who have overcome those things that I am still struggling with so I can learn from them! And those people who are sturggling with things that I have overcome maybe I can be of encouragement to them.

With anything in life there are pros and cons... you can't stop living.

[ThisWayOut]

I think awareness when you are dipping into more "dangerous" space can be helpful with this place. I know sometimes it drags me further into the negative. When I notice myself obsessing about anything here, I try to take a break. I think it's useful for support a lot of the time though. It's nice to know that others struggle with crap...

[smmath]

I am kind of afraid to tell my therapist that I am back here. I don't want to get in trouble. I tend to focus on learning things from other people and be introspective and ask questions to help people. I never go on the social forums because I personally don't learn anything there.

I think that as long as people are aware of how PC affects them, and to know when to take a break, then the knowledge and friendship you can gain in very valuable.

[reesecups]

I think whether it helps or hurts you depends on what you're looking for. To be honest, there are groups I avoid on this sight because I don't think they would either brnefit me or that I can help or support someone on.

But frankly. there are places here that I would have a hard time giving up be ause everyone us so great here. Supportive and informative.

[Canyon]

Many therapists are against these type of sites in general. After being a moderator on a couple of those, I can understand why.

There are a couple of specific ones that my T is really dead set against and for good reason (one was one that I modded on).

I think the important thing to remember is that everyone is here for a reason and to try to not get too entwined in other's problems.

Maybe your T is concerned that you will get too emotionally taxed?

Social networks give us a false sense of connection. If you tend to isolate and spend time here you could be exacerbating the problem. See this video:

[ptangptang]

I can see where he is coming from. I like this site a lot and Doc John should be applauded for making it what it is BUT ( and i've a big big butt) i recognized i was using this as a safety blanket and coming on here too much. If you integrate it into an overall approach to life ( holiostic?) it is beneficial but expecting it to work miracles it ain't gonna happen. Get out, do stuff you enjoy doing, ditch the negative, meet people, set goals, take your meds, volunteer to help people, think positve etc etc AND come on here from time to time

[ptangptang]

Originally Posted by Michanne

Social networks give us a false sense of connection. If you tend to isolate and spend time here you could be exacerbating the problem. See this video:

Excellent video. Thanks for sharing

[The_little_didgee]

The comments your psychiatrist made did not surprise me. Sometimes this website reminds me of my stays in psychiatric wards where a certain type of conversation would sometimes take place. Those disturbing conversations would often lead vulnerable people down a new path of problems, ones they did not have when they walked in. I am not saying you are impressionable but just warning you to be careful.

Originally Posted by Useless Me

I think it is BOTH.

I love trying to help others. It is really the only thing that I do that adds any value to this world...... BUT - it can certainly guide me back into my darkness too.

When it feels like the site is going to lead you back to darkness it is time to get away. Maybe you can make up some boundaries to protect yourself.

[30ish]

Originally Posted by Michanne

Social networks give us a false sense of connection. If you tend to isolate and spend time here you could be exacerbating the problem...

Great point! The false sense of connection was one of the cons I thought about yesterday. Finding a healthy place in society is one of the goals of therapy imo... in order to do that you've go to get up from the computer, go out and build relationships with real people...

[RhiannonisKaren]

I don't understand why a support group would worry your shrink. Even when you are helping someone else it gives a sense of purpose, yes it is sad to see people feel bad. But I think that we have much to learn from one another. As long as your not on 24/7 obsessing about it, it should be fine.

[healingme4me]

I must confess, neither T nor Pdoc, ask me about my on-line life, very much. There is a certain balance, as we live in a world where people do connect on line, at the same time, if your T feels that online time is interfering in your real life, then I can see how that may have been addressed.

[Grey Matter]

Honestly, I do think it can be both. Because I know if I am really not doing good I either A) Don't come on or B) stay in the "distraction" sections of the website to give me something to do.

But that is a dose of reality for you, as well. Whether I am on this website or not, I am faced with people who are chronically mentally ill. Someone is either anxious beyond belief, depressed, or manic. That is my family and few friends. So be there this called "false connections" or not, it's what I live day to day anyways.

eh. My therapist never asks about what I do online and I don't honestly think it's much of her business so I don't bring it up. She does encourage me to write and share online, however.

[herethennow]

Sometimes I find that it can be a double edged sword. I remember making friends from the hospital, and the doctors were not too happy about it. Sure, they do understand. But I realised after that they kinda weighed on me.. in a sense that they depended on me too much more than I depend on them. It was a really bad emotional investment.

Same goes to PC. You have to be selective... But if PC has been largely beneficial for you, no reason to leave.

[akekaomen]

This is sometimes the only place I can bring up what I'm feeling. I'm not on a lot here, but it does help to get feedback from people when I'm really down. In fact, I'm looking into getting into group therapy as a replacement to individual therapy. I've been finding that I'll poke holes in the treatment plans individually but when I am in a group, I see things differently - I see other people going through what I'm going through. I just haven't had much luck finding a group setting outside a hospital/day program yet.