[IchbinkeinTeufel]

Sorry if this comes off wrongly in some way, ... this is just honest, frank advice from someone who cares enough to post it.

I recently had a fairly long break from PC, and I'm actually very glad, because it did me a lot of good. I was going coocoo, before.

I ended up joining a small, friendly forum-based site that focuses on just chillaxing, chatting, making friends, etc - there is only minor mention of mental health, but that part of it is barely ever used. It's nice, because the last thing I need is to be reminded every single time I do something. I was clearly using PC too much, again, ... it can get addictive surrounding yourself with this stuff; you live it every day, so it's easy to not notice when you're overdoing the "support".

I was invited to a Facebook group for those with OCD (and it touched on anxiety) but they decided to post stuff that was incredibly (massively) triggering for someone with a certain type of very common issue (my past) and so that wasn't very pleasant to read, first thing in the morning. Just one example of overdoing it. I occasionally visit an anxiety-based page, which I've "liked", one of which that seems to be very tactful with their posting, and so I shan't expect anything hugely triggering, and if I do, I simply "unlike" it. Honestly, I can't yet decide if the anxiety-based page is worth my subscribing to, but it is essentially reminding me of my anxiety every time I see; I may remove it for just that reason, actually.

We know we're "unwell" - this is why we are here in the first place - the last thing we need is constant reminders of the way in which we live, some of us, like me, pretty much 24/7. Obviously getting help is great and recommended, but we should give our brain a rest once in a while, is what I'm getting at. Feeling down? Don't constantly run to a triggering source, often worsening the cycle and strengthening the association between a supportive environment and a stressful or otherwise problematic situation, ... counteract it with positive thoughts, feelings, actions, etc. For example: "I feel sad. I'll light a calming joss-stick, listen to happy music, and give myself some positive affirmations." as apposed to "I feel sad. I'll go to where everyone else feels sad, so we can all talk about how sad we feel."

I apologise if the above comes off as an attack to those who do actually frequently and perhaps excessively surround themselves with places like PC and all sorts of content revolving around your problems. I've been there, occasionally go there, have seen many others go there, and have read about and been told by my psychologist the same or similar thing(s), but yes, granted, they probably won't apply to everyone. Some problems perhaps need, or see improvement, with social-orientated support, but for something like anxiety, OCD, SH, possibly addictions, possibly EDs, depression, etc, and who knows what else, I wouldn't recommend smothering yourself in everything involving them. At some point, I expect (trying to be natural, here, but I'm fairly sure of this) it stops being supportive, and ends up being damaging. Try to find a happy medium between support and space from your problems.

If this got you thinking and reflecting on how you support yourself, then hopefully that means I made a bit of a difference.

Best of luck, everyone.

[JadeAmethyst]

Thank you! This is what I needed to hear today.

[silvercloud1989]

This is an excellent post! I completely agree with you. Sometimes we just need to step outside from being preoccupied with our difficulties - just to give ourselves a break - and just live and love life for a little bit.

I believe this post would also be useful to those who are in the process of recovering a psychological disorder (as opposed to those who are in the process of experiencing a severe psych episode and who might need immediate help)