[whimsicalman]

I was just wondering how people avoid getting triggered while in the forums and reading about the struggles of others dealing with depression and other mental health issues?

[MtnTime2896]

Compartmentalization mostly.

Before I log in though, I sort of assess if I'm in a good place to read threads. I'm careful to look for trigger icons and warnings.

[ShadowGX]

If I'm feeling particularly bad I simply don't look beyond the general chat forum, like yesterday, or I may not visit at all. Gonna sound weird, but most of the time reading about other people's struggles makes me feel better... Like a "hey, we both hurt too, I'm not alone" sort of thing, not like I'm happy other people are miserable.

I tend to ignore the trigger warning in general. I'm too curious, so saying I shouldn't read something makes me want to read it all the more. I haven't yet had my day ruined by something I've read here, but it does sometimes get to me a little bit, especially where the suicide posts come into play because I can imagine myself in similar or worse situations.

I do know very well what I can handle though, so this helps me a lot in knowing when I should avoid being here.

I learn a lot by reading what others post about their own experiences and the different responses everybody here has.

[Thirty shades]

Originally Posted by Sisabel

I learn a lot by reading what others post about their own experiences and the different responses everybody here has.

I agree, learning from what helps posters here, their empathy and a sense you are not the only one who feels this way go a long way to help when things are not going well.

[Fuzzybear]

I don’t usually get triggered, so long as people are showing empathy (as most people here do)

Sometimes I do avoid some threads though if I don’t think I can help for whatever reason, on that particular day.

[Fuzzybear]

Originally Posted by ShadowGX

If I'm feeling particularly bad I simply don't look beyond the general chat forum, like yesterday, or I may not visit at all. Gonna sound weird, but most of the time reading about other people's struggles makes me feel better... Like a "hey, we both hurt too, I'm not alone" sort of thing, not like I'm happy other people are miserable.

I tend to ignore the trigger warning in general. I'm too curious, so saying I shouldn't read something makes me want to read it all the more. I haven't yet had my day ruined by something I've read here, but it does sometimes get to me a little bit, especially where the suicide posts come into play because I can imagine myself in similar or worse situations.

I do know very well what I can handle though, so this helps me a lot in knowing when I should avoid being here.

“I haven’t yet had my day ruined by something I’ve read here”

I know what you mean, sometimes some of the suicidal posts do get to me a bit too (but I don’t post if I can’t post showing support or empathy)

[luvyrself]

Originally Posted by Thirty shades

I agree, learning from what helps posters here, their empathy and a sense you are not the only one who feels this way go a long way to help when things are not going well.

—-absolutely and when I’m hurting I feel a lot better when I can help someone else.

[Thirty shades]

Originally Posted by luvyrself

—-absolutely and when I’m hurting I feel a lot better when I can help someone else.

I agree, giving support helps just as much as receiving it.

Maybe the isolation of illness is helped by a community spirit. Be nice if the world was a more understanding place.

[Fuzzybear]

Originally Posted by Thirty shades

I agree, giving support helps just as much as receiving it.

Maybe the isolation of illness is helped by a community spirit. Be nice if the world was a more understanding place.

good post

[whimsicalman]

Thank you all for your thoughts. I agree with the sentiment that showing empathy and helping others is uplifting and allows us to receive positive feelings from our internal desire to be there for others in need, even as we might be needing it. I guess it will just depend on the day I might be having that will determine how being on the forums will affect my mental/emotional state.