Does accessing online forums make symptoms worse at times?

[BigCat]

I am interested in what is referred to as "iatrogenic effects", i.e. if I have a diagnosis of depression, does it have a negative impact on me?  Does it add to my depression? 

Certainly, as an anxious person, if I focus on my anxiety it becomes worse as I ALWAYS find symptoms to focus on. 

I've become aware that when I am feeling a bit rough I don't access the forum so much as I feel that I need to focus on things other than my WD or tapering problems. 

It's difficult because we seek the need for recognition and support, but we also need to recognise, or at least I do, that getting caught up in our struggles and the struggles of others, can drag us down at times.  

Sometimes I feel that I can't "get out of the way of myself" and need to withdraw into activity and getting on with things, even if it's only cleaning the toilet.  Nobody likes cleaning the toilet, but we all like a clean toilet...

[DustyMoon13]

Hey I think your thoughts are really interesting... I have thought the same thing before and just as my latest episode of withdrawal symptoms have flared up I have been wary of this. 

It's a tricky one. 

I have been holding off from scrolling this site and Reddit but it really hasn't help me avoid the worst of it. 

And I think I've just gotten to the point I need to come here for the comfort... I will try and assess down the track of this episode if it's helping or hindering my ability to get back on track.

But for right now, in the thick of it, it's helping me beyond any other outlet I have.

[Dahlia50]

Hi @BigCat Understand what you mean. You can read too much and get anxious. It can be good to take breaks sometimes. But when you're in the middle of this and horrible WD - it's an invaluable support, and you need support. Since people here are the only ones who know what it's really about, it helps better than anything else.  

[Emonda]

On 2/16/2024 at 7:33 AM, BigCat said:

I've become aware that when I am feeling a bit rough I don't access the forum so much as I feel that I need to focus on things other than my WD or tapering problems. 

 

Hey BigCat,

When I'm feeling rotten, I head to the success stories on the site for a boost that plenty have gone before me and come out the other side. I normally search for a success story for my particular AD, or, by "most viewed" or "most replies". Shep is a great one to read. There are plenty of people who took your AD long-term in the success stories.

 

I find it such an encouragement to read of others on this journey for 30 years plus who have succeeded.   

 

One day, we are going to be here too, writing our success story.

 

Keep fighting mate.

[BigCat]

Big hug to all of the above for kind/constructive words and for taking the time.

 

Bet a really clever person could get a PhD out of the idea.  Not me!

 

 

 

 

 

[KenA]

Agreed with @Emonda. I lived in the success stories portion of this site. I tended to avoid the other forums unless I needed info about a symptom, or to update on my intro topic, but 95 percent of my time here was in the success stories. But I also wouldn't spend all day on the site either. I would limit my time here, then make sure I spent time doing other activities. 

[koala]

I think you’re onto something Big Cat, but it is not straightforward. I don’t do much scrolling of the forum because I do find it triggering often. But I also take comfort and support from responses to my posts, so I usually try to chip in on a few threads now and then to give a little bit back when I am able. And I also take comfort from success stories and the message that comes through that even though it may take much longer than you want, these symptoms are not permanent. And of course, there is great information and collective wisdom to be mined here. 

[Prozack]

I have different problem. Every time I read or listen succesful story I make a conclusion: "This one has been only on one drug." Or: "He was taking only SSRI or benzos, not antipsyhotics or mirtazapine." Or: "He was taking drugs for shorter period."

 

I see everyone in better position than me, thinking it's less likely to be healed.

[jon1]

I think we all have to be wary of forums, no matter how supportive, depending on how we’re feeling at the time.

 

If I visit here when I’m feeling low and depressed, or experiencing extreme symptoms, it’s very tempting to doomscroll. I’m not sure why, but I’ll find myself reading far more negative stuff when I’m feeling negative.

 

In a similar vein, I’ve noticed the language I use when searching for information online changes dependant in my mood. So when I’m low, I’m far more likely to use negative search terms, yielding far more negative results. Conversely, when I am in better spirits I tend to use much more proactive, constructive search terms - which lead to more positive results. Now I’ve noticed (with the help of my therapist) that’s what I do, it’s been quite helpful.

 

I agree with @DustyMoon13 about avoiding Reddit. There are some good people on there, but unfortunately they’re buried under a vast mountain of incorrect information and sometimes dangerous advice. Threads on supplements in particular are best avoided completely.

[ShadowDancer]

I share the same sentiment as @Prozack

There is not many recovery stories here of people who took mirtazapine or had an adverse reaction to it.

In fact, they seem to have the worst outcomes compared to anyone else on this forum.

IDK.

[BigCat]

On 3/27/2024 at 1:21 AM, koala said:

I think you’re onto something Big Cat, but it is not straightforward. I don’t do much scrolling of the forum because I do find it triggering often. But I also take comfort and support from responses to my posts, so I usually try to chip in on a few threads now and then to give a little bit back when I am able. And I also take comfort from success stories and the message that comes through that even though it may take much longer than you want, these symptoms are not permanent. And of course, there is great information and collective wisdom to be mined here. 

You are right, so complex.  I try to do exactly the same. 

I take great comfort knowing that I am "not the only one", but try not to be defined by this single part of my life, and would want to encourage others to look outwards towards other "identities". 

There's an old social care model by a guy called Wolfsenberger https://wolfwolfensberger.com/lifes-work/social-role-valorisation/ that identifies the drawbacks of identifying yourself or anyone in such a narrow way.  

[KenA]

On 3/27/2024 at 2:28 PM, jon1 said:

I think we all have to be wary of forums, no matter how supportive, depending on how we’re feeling at the time.

 

If I visit here when I’m feeling low and depressed, or experiencing extreme symptoms, it’s very tempting to doomscroll. I’m not sure why, but I’ll find myself reading far more negative stuff when I’m feeling negative.

 

In a similar vein, I’ve noticed the language I use when searching for information online changes dependant in my mood. So when I’m low, I’m far more likely to use negative search terms, yielding far more negative results. Conversely, when I am in better spirits I tend to use much more proactive, constructive search terms - which lead to more positive results. Now I’ve noticed (with the help of my therapist) that’s what I do, it’s been quite helpful.

 

I agree with @DustyMoon13 about avoiding Reddit. There are some good people on there, but unfortunately they’re buried under a vast mountain of incorrect information and sometimes dangerous advice. Threads on supplements in particular are best avoided completely.

Exactly right! This is why I talk so much about staying positive and staying focused on the positive. There is negativity everywhere you look. And like you said, when you are feeling negative, you will be sure to find plenty of negative things to bring you down even lower. When you are feeling negative, you have to find something positive to focus on. Don't let the negativity draw you in, because once it does, its very hard to get out of it. Believe me I know. I had a buddy of mine tell me when I first started going through WD that I was going to stare into the black hole at some point, and I had to make a choice to pull myself away from it, because if I let it suck me in, it would never let me go!! Positivity is everything!!! 

[koala]

This is a worthy topic. I am currently finding it difficult to tread the right path between “looking after myself” - taking time out from work, taking care not to exhaust myself, avoiding the news which tends to fuel these awful feelings of being unsafe, avoiding social situations that might be difficult etc - and living my normal life. I do not think it is at all healthy to identify with the condition. I sometimes wonder if I would regard myself as being essentially better - but with difficult periods still - if I hadn’t learned about PWS. Perhaps I would be living a far more expansive life again by now. On the other hand, not knowing about it in the past has kept me on the ADs for years and has nearly landed me with additional diagnoses and more medication. I would strongly encourage people not to identify with their PWS as best they can. I think this includes be wise about how you use this excellent forum.