Posted by ClearSkies on September 3, 2005, at 17:44:53
In reply to Re: new friends in depression 2, posted by bambi on September 3, 2005, at 15:34:47
> As far as questions about the site are concerned, I would appreciate any information you find useful because my ignorance goes as far as not even knowing what to ask.
Well, this site is set up with several boards covering separate topics. You can see them listed at the top and bottom of your screens. By clicking on whichever board you'd like to read, you'll be looking at that board and all the threads and posts on it. I do a lot of reading (and a lot of posting!!) as I am not employed; I isolate myself quite a bit, and I do rely on this site for a great deal of my support, and also for information.
> One of the things that interests me is how you came across my message.
I happen to be an official "greeter" of newcomers to the site - a volunteer, if you like, and a guide if you need it for navigating around the site. I check here every day for Newbies and try not to let anyone sit here for too long unacknowledged.
> Not to be (too) self-absorbed: how did you find about the site, how long have you been present here and how much time do you spend in this kind of communication?
About 2 years ago I did a google search on Effexor side effects and stumbled across this site. In addition to my mental illness I also struggle with subtance abuse, and this site has a board for discussing these issues as well. It's been a great fit for me!! I have made many friends here, and have been fortunate enough to even meet some face to face.
One of the many things that I find terrible about our condition is that we are not supposed to talk about it in the way you can talk about some other less prejudiced health conditions of physical nature. This forces me to cover up my actual feelings and I use a lot of energy on hiding how bad I feel. Even from friends and family because I bore even myself (most of all) with constant moanings.
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Exactly!! There is freedom here in our anonymity; in being able to discuss our various experiences honestly, and in having a safe place to vent our frustrations and pain. Dr Bob, who administers the site, is cautious to make this a safe place for ALL, so when you get a chance, please review the FAQ pages and let me know if you have any questions about civility or any other subjects.> Back to you: you say that manic phases cost you employment. I'm actually not bipolar (I feel low all the time and I don't have cycles) but I somehow thought lack of energy and concentration associated with depression would be worse for having a job than being elated.
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Well, in my manic phases I unfortunately feel taller, slimmer, and *smarter* than other people, so I have been fired for insubordination when I told my boss, or the owner, or the owner's daughter, just how stupid I thought they really were and how much better a job I could do of running the company than they could. At my last position I quit before they had a chance to tell me to leave...> That reminds me: are you allowed to ask personal questions about people: their profession, age, where they come from ... nothing too intrusive. I suppose you can but it's up to other person to decide how much they are willing to reveal.(?)
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Exactly. Many people here are attracted to the site for the exact reason of the anonymity that if offers. So if you ask someone a personal question and don't get a response, please don't be offended. (By the way, I am 42-almost-43, female, and a former administrative assistant. I'm a Canadian citizen who lives in the USA.)> And yes, I'm in therapy but more about that next time if you're interested. Well, it's psycho-analytically oriented. Yours sounds more like cognitive-biheviourist (I read something about it once upon a time). As a matter of fact we don't have much choice of a therapy around here. (I got the impression that (the majority) of people from the community are from the States.
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That's true, I think Dr Bob has a page of statistics about where everyone posts from somewhere here.
> Thanks once again. Hope to hear from you soon. (Honestly - I wanted to write a short message (:)
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> Bambi (scared and fragile animal but capable of growing into someone stronger)
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That is such a positive statement!! I look forward to seeing your posts on the boards here. Take good care,
ClearSkies>
poster:ClearSkies
thread:549968
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/newbs/20050601/msgs/550419.html