Can reading health-related message boards actually make you feel sicker? I feel worse after reading other peoples' stories, and I know it's my own fault for being obsessed with my own health. I feel more stressed, tired, and achy now than I did an hour ago.
I guess we are all essentially looking for some sort of reassurance that we are ok, but it seems to be having the opposite effect on me.
Re: Feeling worse after reading the message boards?
The message boards are full of triggers so it is pretty common to read something that will set off your anxiety. The key is to recognize the trigger and deal with it before it is set off. The messageboards are a great place for support but you need to be careful that your not setting your self up for an attack
take care
trg247
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severe depression with psychotic features. borderline personality disorder. post traumatic stress disorder. generalized anxiety disorder. self harm tendencies.Untreatable Online
Re: Feeling worse after reading the message boards?
Sometimes reading these boards can trigger. I've worked on learning to feel better after I post, like thinking that I am helping someone else. That way, I'm not concentrating on my own problems.
Re: Feeling worse after reading the message boards?
Yes it can!
Because it makes you imagine things that could happen to you, especially if you suffer from anxiety.
But I don 't read subjects which can trigger problems.
On the other hand, I feel that if I can help someone else feel less isolated or unloved I can ride the risk of feeling worse.And I end up feelling a lot better and in good company.
Re: Feeling worse after reading the message boards?
You'll never find me anywhere near the message boards if things are going well and I feel o.k... -But if I'm going through a rough patch (like I am now)--I can't get enough of the boards --- On balance this is not a good thing...especially if you have GAD and are constantly in need of some kind of reassurance. The problem is --as noted by the previous posters --that there are so many triggers out there. I mean it can't help to go through 100 posts on the insomnia thread right before bedtime. There is a lot of good info and inspiration to be found out there on the boards --but also alotof negative chaff and spiffle.
I try to ration my exposure. Sometimes I just like to go to the page where you can see how many people are viewing which threads online at any given time. You can see that there are at least that many people out there who are searching for answers just like you are.
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