Home Menu

Menu


Reply
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old Apr 30, 2013, 01:52 AM
sugahorse1's Avatar
sugahorse1 sugahorse1 is offline
Upwards and Onwards!
 
Member Since: Mar 2010
Location: Kent, UK
Posts: 7,878
I am referring to the kind of support relationships we form here.
For some of us, this is the only real interaction we have, other than maybe a husband, T, pdoc... Some of us REALLY rely on these relationships for strength and support.

But do they stop us from recognizing that we need real people in our life too? Or can these online relationships really be enough for us?

I don't have the answer...but I know my PC relationships mean the world to me, even if I have no idea what the people look like, nor have spoken to them.
__________________
"I'd rather attempt to do something great and fail than to attempt to do nothing and succeed. Robert H. Schuller"

Current dx: Bipolar Disorder Unspecified

Current Meds: Epitec (Lamotrigine) 300mg, Solian 50mg, Seroquel 25mg PRN, Metformin 500mg, Klonopin prn
Thanks for this!
shezbut

advertisement
  #2  
Old Apr 30, 2013, 02:33 AM
Travelinglady's Avatar
Travelinglady Travelinglady is offline
Legendary Wise Elder
 
Member Since: Sep 2010
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 49,212
I do greatly cherish my relationships here. However, I think we all should try to foster relationships IRL, too. It is easier, though, to have these Internet relationships, since we don't have to make an effort to get out, be assertive, etc. I think a place such as this one can help people to feel more comfortable interacting with folks, so it could give practice in relating IRL. But it can lead people to avoid these relationships, since some social needs are met here.
Thanks for this!
shezbut
  #3  
Old Apr 30, 2013, 04:09 AM
AAAAA's Avatar
AAAAA AAAAA is offline
Elder
 
Member Since: Oct 2007
Location: Midwest
Posts: 5,042
RL relationships are important, but I think the internet allows us the ability to surround ourselves with people we need in a given situation. I live in a pretty rural area. My doctor actually recommended PC to me because he knew I would not travel to find a support group.
__________________
I've been married for 24 years and have four wonderful children.
Thanks for this!
shezbut
  #4  
Old Apr 30, 2013, 08:05 AM
sugahorse1's Avatar
sugahorse1 sugahorse1 is offline
Upwards and Onwards!
 
Member Since: Mar 2010
Location: Kent, UK
Posts: 7,878
I'm getting into too much of a comfort-zone with my online relationships, and every now and again realize how detrimental it can be to my RL relationships - well, the non-existent ones...
__________________
"I'd rather attempt to do something great and fail than to attempt to do nothing and succeed. Robert H. Schuller"

Current dx: Bipolar Disorder Unspecified

Current Meds: Epitec (Lamotrigine) 300mg, Solian 50mg, Seroquel 25mg PRN, Metformin 500mg, Klonopin prn
Hugs from:
shezbut
  #5  
Old Apr 30, 2013, 08:13 AM
Trippin2.0's Avatar
Trippin2.0 Trippin2.0 is offline
Legendary
 
Member Since: May 2010
Location: Cape Town South Africa
Posts: 11,937
My online relationships don"t impact my RL ones at all, I guess it's all about balance, which isn't always easy to find.
__________________


DXD BP1, BPD & OCPD

"The best way to make it through with hearts and wrists in tact, is to realise, two out of three aint bad" FOB...
Thanks for this!
shezbut
  #6  
Old Apr 30, 2013, 01:05 PM
tinyrabbit's Avatar
tinyrabbit tinyrabbit is offline
Grand Wise Rabbit
 
Member Since: Feb 2013
Location: England
Posts: 4,084
My internet relationships are very different to my RL ones.

I don't talk about some things (therapy, my childhood) IRL and it helps to be able to talk about them on here.
Thanks for this!
shezbut
  #7  
Old Apr 30, 2013, 01:20 PM
spondiferous's Avatar
spondiferous spondiferous is offline
Dancer in the Dark
 
Member Since: Feb 2012
Location: somewhere, i think.
Posts: 5,330
I think both are fine. And I think whatever works for a person is what works for a person. Right now I'm getting more out of online forums, groups and listservs because I'm overwhelmed and don't have the energy to be a million places at once, which is where I'd need to be to get that kind of support IRL. But sometimes I need to be in close contact with someone, to see them across from me, to hug, to talk, to share. Can't have that over the internet. The emotional connection is still there though.
__________________
Are Internet relationships a problem vs. RL?
Thanks for this!
shezbut
  #8  
Old Apr 30, 2013, 05:40 PM
Cocosurviving's Avatar
Cocosurviving Cocosurviving is offline
Elder
 
Member Since: Sep 2012
Location: Muscogee (Creek) Nation Reservation
Posts: 5,920
I think it depends on the needs of
the individuals. Some of us need face to
face contact, others might just want some
to chat via typing/txt.
__________________
#SpoonieStrong
Spoons are a visual representation used as a unit of measure to quantify how much energy individuals with disabilities and chronic illnesses have throughout a given day.

1). Depression
2). PTSD
3). Anxiety
4). Hashimoto
5). Fibromyalgia
6). Asthma
7). Atopic dermatitis
8). Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria
9). Hereditary Angioedema (HAE-normal C-1)
10). Gluten sensitivity
11). EpiPen carrier
12). Food allergies, medication allergies and food intolerances. .
13). Alopecia Areata
Thanks for this!
shezbut
  #9  
Old Apr 30, 2013, 06:15 PM
justmemaybe's Avatar
justmemaybe justmemaybe is offline
Poohbah
 
Member Since: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,482
I can say this. Ive been here on and off along time. I have met some ppl from here irl.
you need both imho
Thanks for this!
shezbut
  #10  
Old Apr 30, 2013, 08:25 PM
healingme4me's Avatar
healingme4me healingme4me is offline
Perpetually Pondering
Community Liaison
 
Member Since: Apr 2013
Location: New England
Posts: 46,298
Quote:
Originally Posted by sugahorse1 View Post
I am referring to the kind of support relationships we form here.
For some of us, this is the only real interaction we have, other than maybe a husband, T, pdoc... Some of us REALLY rely on these relationships for strength and support.

But do they stop us from recognizing that we need real people in our life too? Or can these online relationships really be enough for us?

I don't have the answer...but I know my PC relationships mean the world to me, even if I have no idea what the people look like, nor have spoken to them.
It depends, for me. I prefer RL relationships to PC relationship, not that I haven't developed comraderie with PC aquaintances, through the years. BUT...and there's a big BUT, here.
'Judging' tones and word expressions, that PC people use, I don't know, maybe it comes out less harsh, in RL with body language and facial expressions...that behind an e-mail/board post/chat room...either doesn't translate as 'lighter' that it was meant to be, or left wondering if it's more condescending in tone. I don't know.
I go through spells, of just wanting to pull the plug on PC life, altogether...and, um...right now, is another one of those moments.
I read differently on PC world, than I do in Reality.
I'm softer, in person and 'harder' on-line.

ANd I am a really sensitive person, behind the screen, and more apt to deflect things inRL.

so...I just don't know how to answer this....
Thanks for this!
shezbut
  #11  
Old May 28, 2013, 10:04 AM
Anonymous37904
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
I think both are important - but think that interacting on sites like this are healthy for me. I'm an introvert and I don't want a ton of friends, etc. I prefer a smaller number of of quality, IRL relationships.
Reply
Views: 1001

attentionThis is an old thread. You probably should not post your reply to it, as the original poster is unlikely to see it.




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:36 AM.
Powered by vBulletin® — Copyright © 2000 - 2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.




 

My Support Forums

My Support Forums is the online community that was originally begun as the Psych Central Forums in 2001. It now runs as an independent self-help support group community for mental health, personality, and psychological issues and is overseen by a group of dedicated, caring volunteers from around the world.

 

Helplines and Lifelines

The material on this site is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified health care provider.

Always consult your doctor or mental health professional before trying anything you read here.