Other Online Trauma

[youarenotarobot]

This might be a strange title but how much trauma do you think can be processed from it being online? I'm not talking about like, someone left a mean comment on your video or something. But more along the lines of someone you know online dying, suicide attempts, verbally abusing you, threatening you, etc.

I'm only here because a very close online friend of mine told me she attempted suicide. It's confusing for me to work out. It's deeply affected me but a big part of me thinks "it was only online so I should get over it". I suppose it makes me upset thinking that even if it is online, a real person is still typing the words "I tried to kill myself two weeks ago", I just can't see them yet. Does that make sense? It's why I don't like the term "in real life"; online relationships are real life, just with a different way of communicating?
maybe I'm rambling sorry.

 

[Ronin]

The same processing as with other trauma.

Sure, it's different witnessing in person. But the impact on you is still going to be the same as A trauma, so the processing of it for other environs trauma would work too ime.

 

[Gs172003]

Suicide is serious regardless of where it occurs especially when it's somebody you know.

 

[Friday]

Am I remembering correctly that you're OCD, not PTSD? Because I think that OCD really changes the ball game. That you're going to react to things and process them differently, regardless of the format.

 

[youarenotarobot]

Am I remembering correctly that you're OCD, not PTSD? Because I think that OCD really changes the ball g...

You have a good memory :) I do have OCD. I can't be sure but this feels different though; with OCD, my thoughts tend to trigger off the feelings. With whatever this is, my feelings trigger off the thoughts. Does this make sense? Could it still be OCD?

 

[youarenotarobot]

Suicide is serious regardless of where it occurs especially when it's somebody you know.

Thank you for the validation.

 

[Gs172003]

Thank you for the validation.

You're welcome

 

[Gs172003]

Am I remembering correctly that you're OCD, not PTSD? Because I think that OCD really changes the ball g...

I wasn't aware of that. That's interesting

 

[Friday]

With whatever this is, my feelings trigger off the thoughts. Does this make sense? Could it still be OCD?

I would think so, as it's still ruminating over something that didn't happen, something disturbing you read years ago, that's still locked in a loop of thoughts & feelings... but I'm not super conversant with OCD. Have you considered working with someone who specializes in OCD?

 

[youarenotarobot]

I would think so, as it's still ruminating over something that didn't happen, something disturbin...

I hadn't actually ever really considered it to be my OCD, just because it felt so different, but from your explanation it does seem possible. I do have one aspect of it that I know was OCD; I started becoming obsessed wit the idea of me killing myself too, which after some research I found could sometimes be a form of OCD.
I've had a lot of counsellors, some of whom knew a lot about OCD, some of whom didn't.

 

[Freedomfighter]

This might be a strange title but how much trauma do you think can be processed from it being o...

I don't think rambling is happening here, you are a confused person that is stressed out by the suicide attempt of someone you know. I had something similar when I went to school with a friend of mine a long time ago. That kind of experience is very distressing.

I see online relationships like this: you are a real person that is writing down what you are feeling, right? Then there is another real person that is answering your post and also tells you what he or she is feeling?
So, ok, that is similar to letter writing, pen pal ship, then there is skype, lots of people communicate like that too. I don't see how someone could not see that as real communication, because there are two people or more that exchange opinions, feelings, and facts. That sure looks like communication to me.

I am being stalked and the people that stalk me are irritated, angry, totally blasting upset because I don't talk to them, I talk to people on this forum and it is just like talking. Not a big difference.

 

[dulcia]

Had a similar convo with a friend yesterday. What I took away from it was... you shouldn't have to validate or justify a feeling you're having. You're having it, you're feeling it. It doesn't matter why or where it came from -- it's there regardless. Deal with the feeling of loss or distress, regardless of its origin.