A bit of a confession - replying to threads

[Upside Down Eagle]

I want to explain something to fellow forum members, for peace of mind - I do not feel guilty, but I think it´s good if I at least shed some light on it.

Recently I have written a few posts on the forum, and I very much enjoy the replies and sometimes the discussion. The replies are always very helpful, they make me understand diverging viewpoints and view things from a new perspective.

When I start a discussion I don´t always reply. In recent years, my PTSD has shifted from being mostly about anger and anxiety, to being about exhaustion. In my head, I have a hundred replies, but on paper, frequently I have none.

When I write a post I´m always there reading the replies, but it can take weeks (sometimes even months) for me to come back to it and write a thought-out response where I take the viewpoints of others into consideration. Sometimes, I forget.

As long as the exhaustion lasts, I feel best at home reading all your replies, and engaging in simple threads that don´t require a lot of thinking - like the emoticon, association, and positive thoughts threads.

Throughout the years this forum has been very supportive, and despite the focus on PTSD it rarely ever gets overwhelming - to the contrary, the sense of humor and empathy of other sufferers helps me through rough times.

:hug:

Rad

 

[EveHarrington]

You're not alone-----I don't always reply, either. But I do worry that people will think I'm selfish or ungrateful for their help when the truth is that I very much appreciate the replies.

 

[Teasel]

I often have real difficulty replying too, though same, enjoy responses and actually wish I could find my words easier cause I want to talk about things.

 

[Deleted member 29920]

I'm glad you started this thread, I am the same, often I just send hugs back to people as my brain seems to really struggle how to respond.

 

[New]

@Bearlinda I feel the same way.

 

[Upside Down Eagle]

I´m glad to hear that this is a common thing :) It´ll make me feel less self-conscious in the future.

as my brain seems to really struggle how to

Same thing here. Sometimes all you can do is understand the content, but there is no way you can think about it, or even come up with a reply more complex than a series of emoticons :bag: :laugh:

 

[Deleted member 29920]

I've lost count of the amount of messages I've sent that are just emojis :nailbiting: :hilarious::hilarious::hilarious:

 

[cntrymom08466]

Or I just hit the "Like" button so they know I read it. :)

 

[Multitudes]

You are not alone - and, obviously, far from misunderstood.

There are many times that I have retreated from contact - and felt guilty about that.. and yet have come back eventually, and found that there was no harm done. I rather think that anyone with whose issues we might sympathise also accepts that it is not always easy, nor possible, to be sociable all of the time.