Did you ever notice?

Every time I look at how many people are on the Depression forum there are always 60 to over 100 people viewing. But when I look at how many members are on it is always 5 or 6 or maybe 8.

Must go to show how hard it is to share your story and reach out for help. I wish they would all join and participate. Maybe they are getting some help from reading all our posts.

Good thing about sites like this is that it is open for viewing without the need to register... it's a help site after all and it's great that those who share here, are no doubt sharing things that the wider audience can relate to and even find comfort from.

I know some of us have been one of those viewing for a while before joining the boards... others like me just jumped in feet first on discovery of the site... so, the board caters for a wide diversity of users

There are 42,263 total members. That is for all the different sections though. Still alot of members.

Yep! And there's no telling how many more are like us that aren't here. Maybe even undiagnosed. Makes me wonder how much of the population is actually considered "normal". Maybe the "norms" are the real "minority"and not Us??

I myself have been a member for quite awhile now and I come and go. I think this site is awesome. I like to read the posts that are here to learn more about my own illness. Sometimes I read them without having an answer so I don't reply. Sometimes my depression is keeping me silent. So I say thank you to the posters and I welcome anyone looking for help.

I had just noticed that stat right before I read your thread, I'm new here and hadn't noticed that stat before. Hopefully they will join when they are ready or maybe all they need is to read that they are not alone.

Ahhh. I will say that sometimes I access the forums through my phone though and I'm never logged in on it sooooo I'm sometimes appear as one of the mysterious anonymous members :P

It took awhile for me to actually post. Telling parts of my story was extremely difficult, no matter how abstract. Sometimes I tend to have an almost overwhelming paranoia that I'll say the wrong thing or word it the wrong way and there will come a knock on my door to lock me away. Reading other stories helped me to feel less alone. I still get nervous about posting, but the feedback helps me.