It used to be a place for support...there is still some support, but I hear a lot of bad things about doctors, research and drugs.

If it works, if you think it works, then it works....no matter what it is. Or is not.

Please stop. I know about self care...I just think that this goes past self care. I have alienated myself from this site, but still need support..

Where can I go?

[Hopeofreedom]

I noticed this too. I'm worried this will prevent others from seeking the help they need. I used to recommend resources that gave helped me but I'm hesitant to do that anymore!

I want people who are in need of help to continue to reach out and try ! 👍😘.

I was also going to write a post about this as well. Thanks

Dear Sophiesmom,
I love your posts! I made a vow to myself that I will use any type of support necessary to ensure I never attempt again. That includes trying any drug or mental health specialist that is necessary! Sometimes I do get anxious about prescriptions and my posts may reflect it. I get anxious about everything. But when we get serious types of depression, they might save our lives. Your ardent supporter, Myst

Thank you both...usually when I post I am misunderstood. Too concise maybe

I am just frustrated and sad, I guess. Everyone has a right to post whatever they want, I suppose. I have a right not to read it.

I worry about the same thing you do, Hope, about people wanting to get help. For example, I didn't have a good therapy experience, but I go to that section and read and think about trying it again (I do not comment). I have actually learned a lot (and I have, frankly, been a little disturbed on occasion...but visiting that section has me aware and hopeful to do some additional research of my own)...

And thanks Myst! I find you very supportive and am envious that I am not that way enough. I appreciate that you can hear me when I scream

I guess I don't want ANY type of support or help to be written in a way that might put someone off....
Some of us (myself included) can be very influenced by what others say.

Any help that gets you out of the darkest of places is a good thing.

[Frankbtl]

Hi sophiesmom

I'd agree there are some different focus points at times on the site, but you're right there is still support on here so please, please, please try not to feel alienated on here..........if you need some support, you deserve some support

And hopefully you (as others you may worry about), if you can't "tune out" the less "relevant" comments to you, can use the less "relevant" comments to allow the relevant/helpful comments to shine just that little bit brighter in the darkness

I'd say it's about whatever works for you and seizing on that, wherever/whatever that may be

Alison

I feel like I get very good support when I come on here. I don't know much about doctors and drugs. I feel like I have solace on here as, when others come on, I feel less alone with how I feel. There's a Christian board that I go on and I could never post about my depression on there like the way I do on here. The people on the Christian board are very self-righteous and judgmental. As a Christian myself, I hope that I never come on like that.

I have always like your posts, Sophiesmom. Please, don't ever leave here!

[blacklight]

I don't quite understand what you mean? I haven't really been on this site for long though. what do you mean by you hear bad things about doctors, research and drugs? sorry, I just really want to understand

[glitterbutterfly]

Don't let other peoples' negative experiences prevent you from seeking the help you deserve.

Originally Posted by blacklight

I don't quite understand what you mean? I haven't really been on this site for long though. what do you mean by you hear bad things about doctors, research and drugs? sorry, I just really want to understand

I should have written "read" rather than "hear". Perhaps that helps.

[blacklight]

Originally Posted by sophiesmom

I should have written "read" rather than "hear". Perhaps that helps.

oh no, I knew what you meant lol. but like are people bashing doctors or something? like why isn't this site supportive? I'm new so I'm just curious

[Sula B]

Hi Hope and sophiesmum, I can see where you are both coming from but as others here have said sometimes you need to choose what you read and perhaps comment on or ignore. I also believe that written posts can easily be misinterpreted as sometimes when a person is distressed or has strong feelings or has had a bad experience it may be difficult for them to express themselves clearly and we as readers do not have the benefit of being in their presence - they say 90% of communication is non verbal so you can see what I am saying. Also perhaps something as simple as a question about a type of treatment or symptom is a trigger for some?

I have only been on this site for a short time but I have found many of the threads informative, interesting, supportive. For the most part I see commenters genuinely trying to be helpful, giving support or advice which can sometimes mean talking about their own negative experiences as well as the positive. For example if someone is asking about a specific drug and some have had good experience where others have not - sometimes the responses can give a really well rounded response when read as a whole, for a person seeking information or advice.

Personally I try hard not to over express or get caught up in the emotion of things when I comment and I can tell that others also do this. However, this is also a place where we come to seek support, as you say, and that can mean just knowing that there are others out there who understand us and who give us a 'virtual' hug and say "Hey its ok I hear you". Sometimes we just want to rant and rave and scream it out in a post and this is the place to do that too.

I am hearing what you are saying and I could make further comment of my own about some posts I have read but I wont because those individuals posting are just wanting to be heard the same as me and if I don't like what they are expressing or the way they are expressing it, I can just move on.

As a last comment, you could also turn a negative into a positive and look at it this way as I have learned to do in my 'real' life: sometimes people teach you what you don't want to be. That is as valuable a life lesson or a reminder as any other.

Cheers to everyone out there

Originally Posted by sophiesmom

It used to be a place for support...there is still some support, but I hear a lot of bad things about doctors, research and drugs.

If it works, if you think it works, then it works....no matter what it is. Or is not.

Please stop. I know about self care...I just think that this goes past self care. I have alienated myself from this site, but still need support..

Where can I go?

(((((((hugs)))))

everyone here has your best interests at heart and are only offering advice

sorry you feel this way though

[dexter]

Hi Sophie I agree with you I have gotten some criticism for railing against some very negative threads here... I don't mind venting but I do worry about posts that might discourage others from getting help that might work for them. Just because something doesn't work for one doesn't mean it might not be very effective for others. Language matters. "I didn't have any luck with treatment X" as opposed to "Treatment X sucks and is a sham"

I find the thread topics here sort of wax and wane. I hope you are still able to find and give support here. Thank you for expressing this. I don't think we want to edit people from posting negative things but just look for a mix of positive and negative and creating threads that leave room for positive responses.

[Catlady360]

Hi Sophie. I also agree with you about the posts railing against docs and drugs. To be honest, it made me leave the forum because I was tired of standing up for the things that worked for me (aka therapy and meds).

Please know that not all of us here are like those that are saying "such and such treatment is a sham". I can get people saying, hey this treatment didn't work for me but may work for others, but to outright dismiss those treatments really ticks me off too be honest.

Thank you for understanding everyone...I did type that during a moment...every time I visit it just bothers me a lot to see.

I need to learn some skills to not get aggravated I guess.

I am really REALLY thankful for those of you who understand and feel the same way. I thought I was alone in this.

Hugs to all.

[blacklight]

sorry, I was just curious and wanted to understand since I joined this website specifically for this section. now after reading these other replies I understand more of what you meant

[chesspoliwag]

OP, some doctors are good and some doctors aren't.
If you think they can help you, ok. Good for you. This is just a matter of opinion and experience.

Originally Posted by sophiesmom

It used to be a place for support...there is still some support, but I hear a lot of bad things about doctors, research and drugs.

If it works, if you think it works, then it works....no matter what it is. Or is not.

Please stop. I know about self care...I just think that this goes past self care. I have alienated myself from this site, but still need support..

Where can I go?

Hear you! Some people have had bad experiences with docs and meds. May be the best would have been if they, looking for alternatives, had posted in the "Other Treatment's" forum. People who come here for he first time need to feel secure. If one learns by reading negative description about that docs and meds are "no good", one can become tempted to not try these and by avoiding them, missing beneficial treatment opportunities.

In my opinion, people who have become depressed for the first time should always start with visiting a doctor and use the prescribed drugs. New people should learn that it can take around 6 weeks before the meds works and that the same medication don't work for all and by knowing so be willing to try another medication if the first one don't help. Many will be be helped by going to a psychologist or psychiatrist as well.

To jump off the usual regime for alternative treatment should first be done if traditional treatment has been tied for a period and has shown no effects.

Glad you presented this topic. Depression is a serious illness and people who enter the forum should be comforted.