wondering..

Wondering what the positives for you are on PC
(and the not so positives.. is there a way of turning them around?)
Do you feel safe posting? (why? why not?)

bump, for sky

(I knew I should have copied my first answer!)

I think if everyone felt totally safe here, or anywhere, they would use their real name, or at least make it available in profile, don't you think?

I first came here to relearn social skills. I had isolated myself from society for several years and had forgotten how to carry on a decent conversation, and even what were the current topics of discussion. While it wasn't the best place for conversation, mind you, it was quite good to have such a place to relearn. I received many "nasty grams" as I call them from the moderator/admin back then, in the process of trying to say something properly so others could understand without offense.

One member won't be able to be friends with everyone here, and that's a downside, but totally normal and expected. That there will always be those who don't like you, and of course, those who are in the early stages of healing with their mental disorders, and will cause some upsetting times is a given also. But by sticking to those you know and trust, and venturing out from time to time to make a new friend, one moves farther along the healing path.



I wouldn't be where I am today IRL if I had had to make those mistakes IRL.

Positives for me are:
The understanding people, hugs we share, stories we share, help we share, ideas we share, fun we can have, people I meet.

Not so positives for me are:
Some of the sad stories we share - not to say that everyone should not post their stories I am just saying some are very sad for me to read and not be able to help them.

I feel safe posting:
I only worry about triggering someone by sharing my true feelings honestly.

hugs for your day my friend.

Positives are the acceptance I experience here, because ........well, just the acceptance of me. That's all. I'm like Sky, I'm having to learn to socialize cuz am not very good at it. Have always been a loner.

My posts are too long sometimes, irrelevant sometimes, boring sometimes, but I can still put them on here and no one complains. Usually. And sometimes, quite often even, someone is kind enough to thank me for my post. I've been through a lot of recovery and am more than willing to share it.

I feel very safe posting. The fact that I don't use my full name.....I never use my full name on the internet.....ever. That's just a personal rule. There are over 7 million people in the Valley of the Sun so someone would have to be pretty obsessed to find me but still.....

At first I did not feel safe posting. I was so sure that everyone here would hate me and think I was some spoiled whiner. I don't always feel safe posting even now. I have a hard time becoming "one of the gang" in any situation, not just here.

But people were nice and kind to me and my first posts were welcomed. I realized it is safe to "come as you are" here. When I couldn't reach out in real life, I could post on PC and feel like I wasn't so alone. Having PC the day I found out about bipolar disorder really helped.

The negatives...it can be rather easy to anger people. Especially when we can't hear or see the intent behind the written word. I have had to learn to trust that others here are not intentionally trying to trigger me or ignore me. Really there are not too many negatives.

Myself , I am really surprised at the amount of people
on this site and how it runs so smoothly .
For the most part. Like Alaskan said its the triggers
that are the most concern. I know I've been there
and it is not a very nice feeling to know you have hurt
someone and all your PC family sees it.
But its not a perfect world IRL and its not perfect here.
Almost though.

Stupid question....what does "PC" mean? Wondering what the positives of PC are? That was the question but I don't know what PC is. LOL

Not a stupid question. It's an acronym. Most people here don't call this website Psych Central, they call it "PC".

I first came here because I was deeply depressed and needed help and understanding. Which I got in abundance.
PC has always been positive to me in that I receive support, friendship and understanding. PC has also helped to keep crippling loneliness at bay.
I feel safe posting as I never post anything that could identify me in real life. Also, very few post from my country. The only things that would make me feel unsafe is harrasment from another member - but that has never happened.

My positive is feeling freer and safer here to express things that I can't really offline about issues. It is nice for me to feel listened to, and to know that people care. A lot of times when I try to talk to people they look at me really confused like I'm speaking to them in Chinese or something (even previous T's are guilty of this!). Also, I get to meet people and listen to them and try to help. I've met a lot of really nice people here.

I agree with what sky said . If we all felt totally safe here or anywhere on the net we would use our real names. Do i feel safe posting at pc. Most of the time. It goes back to internet safey for me . Do not give our your real name. phone # address as ((nwtr)) and ((orange)) and others have talked about. imo

The Positive with PC and all of you is I do feel you all care so very much. In time of need you have all been there for me. As in this last week. The community supports like no other. Of course I have not been to too many sites.
All of you accept me for me. Bad spelling and all. Sometimes the lack of understanding i have to and you explain it so well to me.
I trust you all to share my sadness, my ups, my kids , my pets, my love for all of you

thanks everyone for your replies

((((((( everyone ))))))))

You didn't say about yourself, fuzz...

positives:

I feel safe posting here.
I trust the advice I get.
I like the people.
It's just nice to know I'm not the only one.

Negatives:
None! lol

I think the positive thing for me was being able to reveal what's truly bothering me(my marriage situation) because absolutiely no one knows about it in my true life. Holding the secret in, was killing me and when I shared it, I felt relief. I still feel alone because I don't know any other woman who's in this situation. I don't feel safe to reveal my last name in case someone I know recognizes me.
I think the only negative is when there's fighting. I find it a little frustrating with on-line friendships because they're limited and you can't connect in real life and go for a coffee.

Lets pretend Lynn . Cream ? Milk ? Sugar?

There are a lot of positives, people are willing to listen and help in what way they can.

The not so positives if you do upset someone and you don't know it and they just start to yell at you and all you want to know is what happened. With help from mods most of this gets worked out.

As for do I feel safe posting, not really, I have posted some things for support and either had them totally ignored, so then I feel maybe I was wrong in the posting of it. Or I have had people (not in the post but either in chat or though PM) tell me either I don't belong or that I shouldn't be posting, so then it takes me forever to get to where I feel safe even saying I am struggling. I am starting to try to reah out again though posts.

Thanks for this post Fuzzy it really helps to see how others feel.

OVERALL this site is wonderful and I LOVE coming here!

I am still pretty new here, but I am glad a friend suggested I check this forum out. The most positive thing for me is that fact that there are people here who struggle with the same things I do. I feel safer posting in the atmosphere of anonymity. I feel a lot of shame still about the fact that I am not OK, so keep my problems pretty well hidden out in the world.
I am also glad that people offer encouragement from a peer position, not as experts who have the answers and expect me to do things their way. That also makes it easier for me to feel like I might have something helpful to offer someone else. It feels better when things flow both ways, even if it not necessarily between the same two people at any given moment.
And I am glad that people here have a sense of humour, even sometimes while in great pain. That truly can make me feet better in an instant!

Having a mental illness is nothing to be ashamed about .
It is not your fault you have mental illness .
Would you be ashamed if you had a physical illness ?
You don't have to hide your problems here .
We understand and we care .
But that's entirely up to you if you feel comfortable in doing so.
I'm glad you chose PC , I think you will like it here and sometimes it just takes a little while to let your feelings out .
Take Care Hugs

(((((Fuzzybear)))))) What a great thread.

Great input everyone. Jobs Well Done.