Ptsd And Social Media Websites.

[Lauren214]

I feel like even though my abuse started through email contact, and eventually dissolved to Facebook before being in person, that I'm much more conscious about going on social media websites. I rarely go on Facebook anymore as I do have a friend who is friends with my attacker. That being said does anyone else have trouble bringing yourself to take that next step and start socializing again with people on those websites (i.e. Facebook, tumblr, twitter)? And if you answered yes can you maybe give some tips in how to work back into socializing more that maybe were useful for you?

 

[Padfoot]

I had 300 friends on Facebook, mostly people I interacted with professionally or through involvement in music or charity work, but I deleted the account and created a new one, adding just 20 people who are mainly family and friends who don't live nearby. It's just to post pictures of my daughter and updates on the legal progress that I realy didn't need everyone else seeing but also wanted to avoid deleting people and potentially hurting people. I did not add anyone under the age of 18 and did not add one of my cousins, only her sister. The cousin I didn't add asked me straight up if I'd been drinking the night of the assault. I don't want her around.

 

[Pietro]

I have long had enormous anxiety over social media sites, all kinds of seemingly ridiculous neuroses. With Facebook, I always felt humiliated by what wonderful lives everyone else seemed to be living compared to mine. With LinkedIn, it always seems to be about "keeping up with the Jones'" in terms of the number of skills listed, connections made, etc. And, craziest of all, I would get jealous whenever any of my connections connected with someone else. (Ok, you can stop laughing now. ;) )

Over time, as my general issues improved through therapy and processing, I was able to start doing these sites little by little, until they have become far less stressful for me now. I still have some resistance to them, but I am able to use them when I want.

I think Padfoot's approach is really good -- only include people you really want to connect with, especially on personal social sites like Facebook. And keep close watch on your permissions as to who can see what -- especially since Facebook likes to change how these work every few months. :grumpy: