|
Post by Chimera on Jun 26, 2012 17:05:24 GMT
I feel a little uneasy posting in a "Support" forum, when all I really want to do is describe my experiences, without putting any implied pressure on anybody to support me, in any way other than by reading what I write, and perhaps understanding it, and/or asking me questions about it.
I don't think this is "just me" (but I'm open to being told so, if it is).
Quite generally, I think that the task of describing experiences in the "mental health" area is neglected, and there is too much of a rush towards responding.
Response can take such various forms as: support; diagnosis; interpretation; understanding; prescription; blame; projection; identification.
I think that even if one is lucky enough to have the ear of a sympathetic and congenial professional for an hour or more a week, it could still take years even to describe one's experiences adequately, never mind having them understood, categorised, interpreted, "diagnosed", or prescribed for.
And there is a parallel problem on a higher level of abstraction: not so much of description as of definition; not so much describing one's own experiences in the "mental health" area, as defining what the "mental health" area as a whole is, i.e. what kind of experience one thinks one is having.
However, I think that this more abstract problem can already be dealt with adequately by posting in the "General Mental Health Debate" forum.
Where I feel there is a gap is the lack of a forum for describing one's experiences. If it is agreed that there is a gap, that it's not "just me", and that such a forum should be created, I'm not sure what the best title for it should be. I suggest simply "Description of Experiences".
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Jun 26, 2012 17:26:07 GMT
Have altered that category in line with your suggestions. What do you think? I want to keep things as simple as possible. I don't want to be adding endless categories; as is so often the case on many other forums. I want to try & keep the categories as simple as possible. You can of course specify whatever it is that you wish to discuss in the individual thread. Am still open to suggestions however & open to what people want from this forum. I still however feel that the emphasis is on mutual support, understanding, empathy & potential healing - There are however no pressures or expectations with any of this - healingsanctuary.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=46
|
|
|
Post by Chimera on Jun 26, 2012 21:03:38 GMT
I do think there needs to be a distinction between appealing for support and describing states of mind.
Ironically enough, my state of mind has worsened so much throughout the day that I am now incapable of describing it, and see no point in doing so, but it might still make sense to appeal for support, although right now I feel too bad even to want to do that (and I'm too befuddled even to know if that is ironic or not).
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Jun 26, 2012 21:25:16 GMT
I do think there needs to be a distinction between appealing for support and describing states of mind. Ironically enough, my state of mind has worsened so much throughout the day that I am now incapable of describing it, and see no point in doing so, but it might still make sense to appeal for support, although right now I feel too bad even to want to do that (and I'm too befuddled even to know if that is ironic or not). I'm sorry to hear that your state of mind has worsened. It is very hard to describe these things. As your aware - I feel that a lot of it is beyond description & language; & is in fact 'beyond the mind'. What would help? I could change it all to 2 separate forum categories, But I don't really want to distinguish description & support any further; & it is now defined in that category anyway as 2 separate areas - People are free to define what they post about in individual threads - the forum category does not define it all. Next people will want categories for depression, schizophrenia, psychosis, PTSD, bi-polar, etc etc etc etc etc etc - & then we're back to the same thing; that it's 'just another' MH forum. I'm using this forum as a trail run to see what people think, to test the waters & see if a more substantial project would be viable. I'm starting to have my doubts. I'm really enjoying it all & think that it is all worthwhile; especially as it currently stands. But I wonder if what I have in mind is really only for 'a very small minority of a minority'? I won't interfere in your thread - I'll post my thoughts on it all in another one. I do appreciate your comments & observations - & will continue to openly discuss all this; as I think that it is all an important issue; that needs more careful consideration. I just need to ponder on it all & consider it all at more depth, & try to find some kind of a working solution to it all. I'm not going to come up with anything that pleases everyone - & I think that this whole project is in fact something that doesn't really appeal to most people in the first place. As I say; will post another thread later & try & get some thoughts on all this from people. Thanks again for your input, & contributions.
|
|
|
Post by Chimera on Jun 26, 2012 21:34:18 GMT
Next people will want categories for depression, schizophrenia, psychosis, PTSD, bi-polar, etc etc etc etc etc etc - & then we're back to the same thing; that it's 'just another' MH forum. As you know, I PM'd you at length and in detail about that very risk this morning! I'm almost as concerned about it as you must be. But surely you must see that distinguishing between, on the one hand, description of one's own states of mind (with no implied appeal for help), and on the other hand, appealing for help, is not in any way comparable to introducing the psychiatric disease model into the structure of the forum! But I don't want to wrangle at length about this, or anything else for that matter; that would drive me mad, the way I feel right now! I'd like to know how others feel about the same issue. There's no need for anybody to rush to do anything about it; I only wanted a quiet discussion.
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Jun 26, 2012 21:58:25 GMT
But surely you must see that distinguishing between, on the one hand, description of one's own states of mind (with no implied appeal for help), and on the other hand, appealing for help, is not in any way comparable to introducing the psychiatric disease model into the structure of the forum! Of course - But I feel that there is nothing to stop anyone distinguishing between those things in what they post anyway, & that certain responses are not necessitated by the forum. If someone wants to describe their experiences without appeal to help - they are free to. If someone wants to appeal for help they are free to also. & if someone wants to frame it all in biomedical language then they are free to do that as well. I don't want to define any of it any more than it is. But I am seriously considering what you are saying - but I need time to contemplate it all. I need to get something to eat. I need to consider & ponder things. I need to ask people & get responses about the entire project. & would be good to have some responses about the updated project plan as well - that I posted earlier. We are in experimental stages of development with this forum. It is very much a work in progress. I need to know if others share the vision that I have - or if it is 'just' my vision. Yes - it would be good to get other peoples thoughts & feelings on it all. Of course - & that is the whole ethos & intention of this forum. Gentle & quiet discussion. No expectations, pressures, or stress ,with organic growth & as healing an environment as possible.
|
|
|
Post by Chimera on Jun 26, 2012 22:20:12 GMT
Gentle & quiet discussion. No expectations, pressures, or stress ,with organic growth & as healing an environment as possible. In a way, the growth of the forum itself symbolises the kind of growth we all need as individuals. So, please don't feel pressured, by me or anyone else, to do anything sudden or nasty to it, or anything that doesn't make sense to you personally! I've been getting the feeling that you do feel under some such pressure, from me particularly. But you can relax more. In fact, I order you to relax!
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Jun 26, 2012 22:56:33 GMT
Gentle & quiet discussion. No expectations, pressures, or stress ,with organic growth & as healing an environment as possible. In a way, the growth of the forum itself symbolises the kind of growth we all need as individuals. So, please don't feel pressured, by me or anyone else, to do anything sudden or nasty to it, or anything that doesn't make sense to you personally! I've been getting the feeling that you do feel under some such pressure, from me particularly. But you can relax more. In fact, I order you to relax! [hope I didn't delete anything there? I hit [modify] instead of
|
|