Bridging The Gap Between Sufferer And Supporter

[Udosi]

I think the key thing is that the forums are about suffering and about supporting, not that they are restricted to one or the other. So a sufferer posting in the supporter forum should be helping to provide support, not asking for it. If a supporter posts in sufferers, that's a space where we understand the suffering, not the needs of supporters.

Visiting each others spaces is critical to bridge building, I reckon.

 

[Vetid]

I think that by reading posts in each section you can gain insight to both perspectives. I have found that it is most helpful to read the diaries of those who are struggling with issues that most closely relate to my own, or dealing with symptoms that are present in my own relationships.

I don't take anything personal, as other people's diaries are about them and not me. But what they write can give me insight to my own situation.

 

[Dusinor]

I don't even pay attention to where I'm posting, sufferer or supporter side. Doesn't matter to me, if I think I have something to say I just say it, I don't discriminate between either. If I think something sounds stupid or off base I'll say it. If I think someone needs a pick me up, I'll try and do that too. If I think someone just wants insight I'll write something about my own experience. There's times I won't write anything because I'm not always good at wording things without being arrogant or offensive and doubt the abilities of other people to just take it for what it is.

I think people taking offense to what other people say is lame. I know it takes a hell of a lot for me to be offended by what someone says to me or on my threads/posts. And if I am I'll usually ask for clarification before jumping the gun. Not always, but most times I think.

Supporter, sufferer = people = different personalities, different experiences, different insights, different everything.

I've learned a lot from both sides. For me, there is no gap to bridge. Maybe just more like a bridge that needs some maintenance.

 

[Evef]

I am looking at both sides of the spectrum. I initially started looking here to gain insight into the "feeling" of PTSD. Although I don't intend to understand, I need to know how to get through to my husband without running him off.

 

[Natodu]

I'm a sufferer and I wouldn't even know where to begin. I only signed up tonight and I am scared shitless of putting anything on the web for everyone to see. I also wouldn't even know the best way to let my partner know about this as she is my main supporter but I feel guilty throwing new things at her because she already has her hands full with me and the kids. Any advice is greatly appreciated.