The time I have spent on PC relates closely to some life difficulties I have been having.

I started around Feb 2011 under my current name, and this ties neatly with losing my job. I have been unemployed ever since.

I'm not saying that PC has been bad for me or has kept me from confronting my issues, it's more that it's been a haven for me at night time mostly, and has kept me distracted at key times.

Is your time on PC related to personal life difficulties?

[thickntired]

This is an interesting post. I tend to get way too wrapped up in other people's issues and lose sight of my own crap. Social media in general can be totally depressing. I also get upset when a person has a crisis, gets feedback, but prefers living in the problem rather than the solution. I had a problem with AA too because some members had a constant pity party. I didn't understand why they joined and it was distracting because I wanted to change my life. It is frustrating when a lot of energy goes into helping, but statistics state that most people don't change. I try not to take it personally or take on another burden and feel guilty if they don't improve. Also, I believe that many ask a question when they already know the answer. I know what I need to do to get better, and I know what actions are counterproductive.

[lizardlady]

IT, given the nature of the site I think it's logical that folks would come here more during times of difficulties. After all, PC exits as a place for folks with mental health problems to find support. Personally, I don't believe I use PC as a way of avoiding dealing with my problems. I come here for a couple of reasons. One is social interaction with others. Most of my posts tend to be in the "fun" forms. I have a high stress job. I come here to relax. I guess from one perspective that could be seen as dealing with my problems (stress relief). The other reason I come here if for feedback and support when I have a problem.

You mention you use PC to distract yourself "at key times". Do you mean you are using PC to avoid facing problems? That might not be a good thing. On the other hand, if you mean you are visiting PC to keep from sliding into a dark place, that sounds like a good thing to me.

Thickntired, I share your frustration with folks who ask for ideas then continue as they always have. I have little/no patience with folks having pity parties. But I also look back to a point in my own life where I appeared stuck to the outside world. Externally, little was changing with me. Internally there were huge changes going on. When I see someone who appears to be stuck I try to keep my own past in mind. For my own peace of mind I've also learned to avoid people who seem to relish pity parties. They are not ready to change and it only frustrates me to get drawn into trying to help.

[thickntired]

Thickntired,But I also look back to a point in my own life where I appeared stuck to the outside world.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/QUOTE]

L.L. - Thank you as this is a very good point. Sometimes I am too quick to remember that at my age I've been in the mental health system for many years. In the beginning, I didn't care what the "experts" had to say and was the first to leave AMA. I've also beat my fair share of dead horses.

[ifst5]

I came here primarily to be mentally stimulated and to have something to do - i don't really post threads about my issues but i try and relate the experiences of posters to my own in the hope of helping them. It probably comes off as selfish but it's just my posting style. I would say PC helps me deal with some problems indirectly - that is to say, i feel less lonely here and more able to discuss certain topics that i wouldn't with other people. Has it helped specifically with certain issues? Generally speaking I would say no. But as that's not really what i came here for it's fine, this place can't mean the same to everyone. We all have our own purposes for using this site.

[~Christina]

I came here when I was first diagnosed with BP. I was a pretty hot mess. The things I have learned and the deep friendships I have made is priceless.

I seem to post no matter how I'm feeling because it takes my mind "off me" and onto helping someone else. I always figure there is someone out there that is struggling more than I am.

Originally Posted by lizardlady

[FONT="Book Antiqua"][SIZE="3"][COLOR="Navy"]IT, given the nature of the site I think it's logical that folks would come here more during times of difficulties. After all, PC exits as a place for folks with mental health problems to find support.

I suppose I meant to ask to what extent does pc usage correlate with your problems.

Personally, I don't believe I use PC as a way of avoiding dealing with my problems. I come here for a couple of reasons. One is social interaction with others. Most of my posts tend to be in the "fun" forms. I have a high stress job. I come here to relax. I guess from one perspective that could be seen as dealing with my problems (stress relief). The other reason I come here if for feedback and support when I have a problem.

I don't know if I use PC to avoid problems either, I think it's a social outlet for me, but that could be interpreted as avoidance of other social interaction.

[Sabrina]

I came here many years ago when I was in the middle of a deep and debilitating depression. PC certainly helped me then. I come more on a social basis now as I have been in remission for some years. PC is part of life for me. I'd be lost without it.

[Pikku Myy]

I joined PC to find answers in 2009... in a complete manic state, hahahaaaaaa, under a different name Looking for answers I guess. It appears I have needed the support from my PC friends greatly this past couple of years; good or bad... come to accept and find out I am rapid cycling BP1. This only took 3 years, rofl It helps to be able to type and say this out loud at least somewhere wo people always judging you. Thanks for the post IT

[cool09]

Yes, I ruminate about things I write or things that have been said to me in other forums and in news articles that I comment on. My irritability/agitation has run over into posts in other forums and it results in negative feedback and I get severely depressed over it. The internet is virtual. It's nothing like face-to-face contact so it's like a different World. For instance, I belong to some photography forums and exchange information on editing image files and some of the experienced members can really put you in your place and it gets under my skin. I just took some concert photos and asked for some feedback in a Canon forum and was basically told that I don't know what I'm doing and it's bugging me right now. (fyi: I write a lot because I've written a lot of technical reports at work and was taught to write so that nothing is ambiguous and the meaning is clear - and some people take offense that I write so much. I try to let it roll off my back, sometimes they are right though.) I'm trying to cut down on the internet now but it's difficult.

[Nammu]

I' tend to post more when I'm doing good than when im depressed. I stop coming here and feel like I'm too much of a loser to be part of anything. So I guess my answer is the amount of time I spend here actually decreases in relationship to the severity of my problems.

Although when I'm having a mixed episode im here more frequently and I get upset easily. I'm misunderstanding the posts because of where I'm at. I try and stay off hot topics then, not allways successful though. at one point I was feeling rejected, I wasn't being rejected, just felt that way and I wanted them to close my account. The moderator I contacted gave me some time to calm down.

I'm on the mend currently but still feel raw so I'm mostly just playing the games. I do want the connection I get from PC though so I'm here everyday now that im doing better.

[brainhi]

I come here for several different reasons.

There are so few people I can really talk to that actually "get it" when it comes to dealing with your mental health. It is helpful to get the thoughts out of my head and share them with those that have understanding. If I have posted something that is painful, many have acknowledged it...which means a lot to me.

I am doing much better now and I do get something from offering empathy or maybe suggestions that have worked for me... I know that not all will use my methods to help get well. Some will "learn" how to get better and I know some suffer because they have done all they can and things are not improving - my heart goes out to them.

I have learned a lot about the brain over the years and it has been the most important thing for me to understand - the why - behind the symptoms. And I love to share the knowledge for those that are open to it.

I love to get into discussions - and there have been some great ones here!

Sometimes I do use the site as a distraction - but in my life it is a healthy distraction.

Lately, a lot of different things have been happening in my life so I'm not here as much...but I'm glad I have this place to go to.

[spondiferous]

I find it easier to participate more when I'm doing well than when I'm not, although I definitely participate when I'm not. I just have a hard time saying what's going on for me. Ironically, I'm afraid someone will judge me or give me advice when all I really want is just someone to listen and tell me they understand. I think my #1 most hated sentence in the English language: "It'll get better."

[Ripose]

I only have a minor correlation and that is when I am so sick I can't type. But overall I contribute no matter how ****** I feel. If don't contribute when I am feeling bad I seem to just feel worse.

This site has become by far my highest form of "Social Contact" and you people are like family to me and a family needs/wants you no matter if you are feeling great or not. The only other site I have much contact with that is as accepting as this place is the one I visit for help on COPD.

Thank you all for being here for me ALL of the time!

[Atypical_Disaster]

Is your time on PC related to personal life difficulties?

For awhile it was. Now I just come on here when I'm bored(which is often).

To be honest.
Yeah. I'm usually only here when I feel bad, or when I feel bad but am trying to get positive vibes.

When I feel really good, I'm not online as much.