Posted by Phyl on January 17, 2003, at 17:25:39
In reply to Moving on from mental health forums?, posted by OddipusRex on January 17, 2003, at 11:39:41
> Does anyone feel like these forums may be causing more harm than good for themselves? What kind of harm did it cause? I think I recall in passing that a couple of posters mentioned their therapists weren't in favour of their participating or that they were trying to stay away from the board for their own good. I'm beginning to wonder if this is destructive for me. At the very least I am spending a lot of time here that could be spent doing something else. Of course I can only make that decision for myself. And even if I decide it was harmful it's not always easy to take action. For example I decided to stop watching TV but then I find myself spending more time here. It's really frustrating to me. I was just wondering about other's experience. And if you decided it was bad for you was it difficult to cut back? (I guess the ones that quit entirely wouldn't be here to answer.)
>
> Also I wondered if anyone has found interacting with people online improved their communication skills with people in real life? I thought it would, but in my experience it's not the same at all. I feel really frustrated when I seem to be misunderstood online. And trying to clarify things just seems to make things worse. People in real life seem more likely to give people the benefit of the doubt without constant discussions of the meaning of civility. But now I wonder if they may be thinking something entirely different in their own minds. In a way the boards make real life seem more threatening than it was before. I guess my expectations were too high. Most of my interactions here have been on the admin board but I've read the others.
>
> Without putting PB down in any way could anyone tell me of other forums that have a gentle tolerant atmosphere? Or is the problem me and the answer just to toughen myself up?
>
> Also I've been trying to find internet sites that could provide creative outlets for isolated people. Does anyone have any ideas? I think it might be best to channel my creative energies into playing the recorder rather than helping Bob define civility :-). I like these two:
>
> http://www.visualthesaurus.com/index.jsp
>
> http://www.dolmetsch.com/method.htm
>
>
> Thanks>> I don't post on these boards too often. I am able to get out, go to a job, get out to a show once in awhile. But I'm not too social a person;I found myself almost "addicted" to these boards and was spending more and more time sitting here in front of the screen. My husband didn't think it was good for me,either. Now, I just occasionally check in to see how everyone is doing. I try not to come on every day.
I guess it depends on how much time you do spend. I see the same posters on various boards and I don't know HOW they can find the time to keep up with all of them. Would you consider 2 hours/night too much? I think I would. If someone is spending hours and hours a day on PB, I wouldn't think that would be good. Better to get out and sit under a tree (weather obliging), visit a museum, or go a library if possible. Read a book, listen to music...., just walk.
The thing is that when a poster drops out for awhile, others get very concerned and keep asking if they are ok. Maybe we need to say: Signing off for a week to do other things......
It's really such a personal thing, but I think the amount of time sitting in front of any screen, whether it be a computer or a television, should be kept to a reasonable length, with good breaks in between. It's "reasonable length" that might be difficult to define for some posters.Just my feelings.
Take care.
poster:Phyl
thread:35377
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20030111/msgs/35408.html