MDAO Forum

Support for People with Mood Disorders => General Discussion => Topic started by: Peace on January 07, 2015, 06:46:32 am

Title: Online Support Groups
Post by: Peace on January 07, 2015, 06:46:32 am
Hi everyone :)

I was wondering if anyone knew of a good online support group. I've looked into a few, but decided to read independent reviews before joining. So far I've read about a lot of cyber bullying and inability to remove your account once you joined.

Much appreciated, and hoping everyone is hanging in there.
Title: Re: Online Support Groups
Post by: Pleeb on January 07, 2015, 07:27:50 am
Besides here, I'm also on http://www.moodgarden.org/ (http://www.moodgarden.org/).  It's very big...you can post pictures...there's even a Mature/I.M. Mature section, but you need one time permission to go there, otherwise it won't show on your index.

I'm also on http://algy.com/anxiety/wordpress/ (http://algy.com/anxiety/wordpress/).  For anxiety, mainly.  Also big.  You have to type in something else to get the forums....I forget what exactly.

I sometimes look at http://www.crazymeds.us/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/HomePage (http://www.crazymeds.us/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/HomePage).  About meds, with a sense of humour.

Quote
So far I've read about a lot of cyber bullying and inability to remove your account once you joined.

I've never noticed either.  I assume you meant mood support groups.

Peter


Title: Re: Online Support Groups
Post by: Peace on January 07, 2015, 09:56:32 am
Thanks Peter! I took a look at Mood Garden and it looks interesting. My google search for reviews didn't find anything for them, so I'm taking that as a positive about the site.

As for the cyber bullying, there was one group I found through google search that dealt with grief, health issues and mental health. I really liked was I saw on the website. I don't want to name them since I'm not saying positive things abouth them. Instead of blindly joining I did a search for reviews of the group and read about a lot of cyber bullying within the group.
Title: Re: Online Support Groups
Post by: Peace on January 12, 2015, 10:13:54 am
Hi again everyone,

The truth of the matter is that I'm extremely lonely, but I was too embarrassed to say so. It's extremely hard for me to leave my home. I'm not trying to get sympathy from anyone, what I'm asking for is suggestions as to how I can alleviate some of my loneliness. There's only a few people that I'm comfortable with and can socialize with. Sadly, I've practically begged different people to go for walks with me, and nothing is working out. I'm tired of asking, it's rather demeaning.

Any and all suggestions would be welcomed!
Title: Re: Online Support Groups
Post by: Dragonfly on January 12, 2015, 07:53:36 pm
Hi Peace, Don't apologize for posting that you are lonely. You shouldn't be embarrassed.

I happened upon the website www.connexontario.ca. I thought it may be of interest to you. I would say it is supported by MDAO. There is a helpline. You can also ask for help in finding support for your mental issues in your area. It says you don't have to provide a name.
I have never used any of the services provided by this website.
I am seriously going to keep it in mind. Have saved it under my favorites.
 I don't know why. My loneliness and sadness usually strikes when there is no one around to support me. Especially at night. Sometimes on weekends.

I hope this may help you.

Thinking of you.

Dragonfly
Title: Re: Online Support Groups
Post by: LuckyLou on January 13, 2015, 06:22:57 am
Hi peace! There are loads of support groups on Facebook if u are on it, like bipolars supporting bipolars. I am on there and have found it very helpful, it has alleviated my feeling alone in this fight. Don't be ashamed we all feel lonely at times. It's especially true for me at this time of year so I can relate. Reaching out is a good first step! We are all here for u!
Title: Re: Online Support Groups
Post by: Pleeb on January 14, 2015, 03:58:26 am
Quote
The truth of the matter is that I'm extremely lonely, but I was too embarrassed to say so
Big deal!....same with "seeking sympathy."

Peace, are you in a rural area, small town, city?  I'll try to think up some suggestions....


take care......Peter

The people you ask to go on walks.....they're busy, or too busy?
Title: Re: Online Support Groups
Post by: Peace on January 14, 2015, 09:06:29 am
Thanks everyone for making me feel better about what I'm ashamed of :) I was trying to find out if there were any good, safe chat lines to talk to people in an effort to help with my loneliness and I was ashamed of myself for needing one.  :-[

My social worker, who I don't have anymore, gave me one and I've been using it the last couple of days. There's a stream of chat and you can talk personally to people. I'm really anxious about the whole thing, and someone came in the room trying to hit on people this morning. I need to be careful about what type of information I give out. My anxiety has been triggered from what happened this morning.

Peter, I'm in a highly populated area that doesn't have a lot of resources.

I can walk with my sister, but she lives too far away. I'm having difficulty coordinating my walk time with a friend up the street. Another friend said she doesn't have a 2nd vehicle (she's a 5 minute drive from me), but doesn't make an effort on weekends when she has a vehicle. My friend I'm really comfortable with needs to walk with other people as well as me for some reason. We were walking a lot a couple of summers ago and another friend of hers came along. That friend, whose son goes to school with my daughter, told her son she doesn't like me. A huge blow to my self-esteem.

The friend was here for a visit last week and I told her I needed to walk again. I thought I set it up with her to call me and walk over this way. She said she didn't mind at all. I haven't heard from her. I called and left a message, and she didn't call me back. There's been other people I've asked as well, and either nothing has come of it, or we've walked for a while then not again after that.
Title: Re: Online Support Groups
Post by: Dragonfly on January 14, 2015, 01:23:21 pm
Peace I would walk with you. I don't think we live near each other though.

Dragonfly
Title: Re: Online Support Groups
Post by: Peace on January 15, 2015, 09:58:39 am
It would be perfect, Dragonfly.  :) You're right, though, I don't think we live close enough.
Title: Re: Online Support Groups
Post by: DeterminedJay on January 17, 2015, 03:50:06 am
Hey Peace!

Just wanted to let you know that you are never alone, despite what your mind may be telling you. No I am not going to go into a higher power rant, I just know from personal experience that the best way to truly feel content with being alone is to learn to love yourself. I have been researching and progressing my mind on such matters since last year and have made great progress in my loneliness and depression.

If you would ever like to talk, about anything, just PM me or start a group chat on your current mood with any questions and anyone on this site would be glad to join the discussion. This is a place of healing, despite what people say about talking to people online. Knowing that people care and having a support system whether it is with peoples minds through writing, or in person - it is such a powerful thing.

Welcome to the forum fellow homo sapien!
Title: Re: Online Support Groups
Post by: Pleeb on January 19, 2015, 02:23:41 am
Peace, sorry I didn't get back to you....still thinking, and I had some obstacles lately.


Peter
Title: Re: Online Support Groups
Post by: Peace on January 19, 2015, 08:51:21 am
Thanks, DeterminedJay. Appreciate the offer :)

It's okay, Peter. I hope you're doing well and the obstacles aren't overwhelming. I've actually gotten more comfortable on the chat line my social worker gave me, and I've connected with different people. I just need to ignore the ones that don't have good intentions.

I walked 3 out of the last 5 days and am quite proud of myself for that.  :)
Title: Re: Online Support Groups
Post by: paulm on January 19, 2015, 10:10:43 pm
Hello  Peace. Good for you for getting out 3 days out of 5. It can be tough to go outside. Keep working at it and don't get discouraged if you   have weeks where you don't do as well as other weeks. Good Luck and Take Care. paul m
Title: Re: Online Support Groups
Post by: LuckyLou on January 20, 2015, 05:46:03 am
That's awesome peace!
Title: Re: Online Support Groups
Post by: Dragonfly on January 20, 2015, 07:47:47 pm
Good going Peace! You must be so proud of yourself as all of us here are too.

Dragonfly :-*
Title: Re: Online Support Groups
Post by: Peace on January 22, 2015, 06:41:27 am
Thanks Paul, Lou and Dragonfly! Your words of encouragement mean so much  :)

I was planning to walk two nights ago, but my husband asked me to watch a movie. It was This Is Where I Leave You and I recommend it. I walked on my own last night. I think the key is that as soon as it's dark outside I need to make the walk a priority.

I feel like a failure today. I want to buy a baby gift for my nephew. My daughter needs some clothes. Yesterday my husband said he'd drop my daughter and I off at a shopping mall to shop, then pick us up after he had the oil changed on the car. This morning I decided I couldn't do it because it's a large shopping mall. My daughter hates shopping and while very understanding towards me, isn't someone I can safely go someplace like shopping.  :-[
Title: Re: Online Support Groups
Post by: Dragonfly on January 22, 2015, 08:48:53 am
Hi Peace,

I know what you mean about walking outside when it is dark out. I have done that often enough. I didn't want to meet my neighbours and talk to them. I would get too anxious. Peace like Paul said don't beat yourself up when you don't feel like walking. You can do it whenever you feel the time is right. If you feel like you should be doing this every night (don't know if that is what you are feeling) you will put pressure on yourself and not enjoy your walk and won't want to do it.

Do not feel like a failure Peace about not going shopping. I feel the most comfortable shopping with my oldest daughter. She understands that I  can't handle shopping too long. I get too tired. Then I get anxious.  My  daughter will take me home when I feel like this. My son is in his own little world most of the time. He doesn't see the signs when I can't shop anymore. I don't feel in control and again that is when I get anxious.

Bear with me. I feel like I am very wordy in my posts right now.

Thinking of you.

Dragonfly
Title: Re: Online Support Groups
Post by: paulm on January 24, 2015, 02:06:09 am
Hello Peace. I can understand and sympathize with you.  I think that you were smart not to go shopping.  Generally my anxieties are under control these days, but I still have to be careful.

  The other day I had to go to the dentist, interview a potential volunteer for an organization I'm with, see my brother about a family issue,  do a little shopping and I thought while I'm in town I'll also get my vehicle e-tested.  I know all of those things can cause me a certain amount of stress, but when I laid out my schedule, I never thought anything about it. That was a mistake.

 Each item piled on a bit of stress and by the time I got to the e-testing place, my anxieties were starting to mount and the place was running 30 minutes behind schedule. I should have just cancelled my appointment when they said I would have to wait. Instead I started to overly worry about the vehicle not passing and if it failed what would it cost to repair it, where would I get the work done etc etc. (I've never had one fail and I had no reason to think that this one would fail, so my thoughts were irrational to start with).

 My heart started to pound, sweat started to roll off of me and I must have looked ill as when the tech guy finally came he asked if I was ok. Well the vehicle passed with no problems, but I had to take a break before I drove home and I was still shaking when I got there 45 minutes later.

 In reality, what had happened was that I already had, had a stressful day and I should have known (from past experiences) that I had too much going on that day and it would only take a little to trigger an anxiety attack.

 So you were smart not to go shopping and I was dumb in not cancelling something on a day where I knew my stress level was already too high.  I know I got a lot done that day, but once upon a time doing that much would have been easy for me. I have to realize that I have to live within my limits as they are now. That doesn't mean that I can't strive to do more, but allowing myself to get into uncomfortable positions only sets me back.

 So don't feel guilty about something that is too hard to do at this time. It doesn't matter whether it seems simple or not, if you are not up to it, you are not up to it.  You made the smart choice and cancelled. Take Care. paul m
Title: Re: Online Support Groups
Post by: LuckyLou on January 24, 2015, 07:51:55 am
I agree with Paul and dragonfly u did the right thing for yourself so don't beat yourself up about it. I am learning my limits and sometimes taking a time out is the best thing to do for me. I am learning not to feel guilty about it. It's easier said then done I know!
Title: Re: Online Support Groups
Post by: Peace on January 25, 2015, 10:30:15 am
Thanks Dragonfly, Paul and Lou  :)

It means so much to have words of encouragement and understanding from people who actually understand  :)

My sister took my daughter and I to the mall on Friday when she finished work. I'm certain I'd be doing so much better by now if I had more people like my sister I could go places with. My husband only tells me all the things I did wrong when I go out with him, and he's left me to find my own way home when I've told him I'm not able to do more than I'm able while we're out.

Success on the shopping trip! :) I purchased an adorable blanket with a matching ladybug, a Hello Kitty robe, and a baby's first Christmas ornament :) A little more than I wanted to spend, but I only sent a card when they got married, so I made up for it with the baby gift. I'm adding "great" to my titles now, it makes me feel so old.  :D We also found everything my daughter needed. It was an enjoyable outing.
Title: Re: Online Support Groups
Post by: LuckyLou on January 25, 2015, 01:03:05 pm
Good for u peace! Glad to hear it!