Bipolar Disorder Support Group
Bipolar disorder is not just a single disorder, but a category of mood disorders marked by periods of abnormally high energy and euphoria, often accompanied by bouts of clinical depression. This is the place to talk about your experience with bipolar disorder, learn from others' experiences, and find support.
Certain rules of unspoken etiquette are recommended to be followed when using Internet forums. They include:
* One should read all the rules and guidelines established by the community. Some communities may have different regulations on a particular subject.
* One should always be courteous to other forum members.
* Before creating a new topic thread, one is advised to search to see if a similar topic already exists.
* Contributors should follow standard grammar and spelling rules and avoid slang. Leetspeak is sometimes accepted.
* If the forum is categorized, one should strive to post in the correct section.
* Contributors are asked to stay on-topic.
* Contributors should avoid double posting and Crossposting.
* To avoid appearing self-absorbed, one should respond to topics started by others more often than starting topics of their own.
* Contributors should avoid the use of all CAPITAL LETTERS in posts. All CAPS is considered "shouting" and causes readability issues.
* One is advised not to resurrect a very old topic if nothing significant will be added. This practice is known as revival or Necroing.
* One should try to refrain from lashing back at a poorly behaving member or participating in a flame war; instead, notify the messageboard's staff of the event.
* When quoting a previous post, one should only include the relevant portion of that post. Contributors are requested to keep in mind that their audience can likely still see the message they are quoting on the same screen and can read it again if need be.
* One should read all the rules and guidelines established by the community. Some communities may have different regulations on a particular subject.
* One should always be courteous to other forum members.
* Before creating a new topic thread, one is advised to search to see if a similar topic already exists.
* Contributors should follow standard grammar and spelling rules and avoid slang. Leetspeak is sometimes accepted.
* If the forum is categorized, one should strive to post in the correct section.
* Contributors are asked to stay on-topic.
* Contributors should avoid double posting and Crossposting.
* To avoid appearing self-absorbed, one should respond to topics started by others more often than starting topics of their own.
* Contributors should avoid the use of all CAPITAL LETTERS in posts. All CAPS is considered "shouting" and causes readability issues.
* One is advised not to resurrect a very old topic if nothing significant will be added. This practice is known as revival or Necroing.
* One should try to refrain from lashing back at a poorly behaving member or participating in a flame war; instead, notify the messageboard's staff of the event.
* When quoting a previous post, one should only include the relevant portion of that post. Contributors are requested to keep in mind that their audience can likely still see the message they are quoting on the same screen and can read it again if need be.
I WILL POST IN ALL CAPS WHENEVER THE HELL I WANT TO. I will post to my OWN POSTS whenever and as often as I want to... SELF ABSORBED OR NOT.
I will CROSSPOST at my OWN discrection.
No, I will NOT go back and read a week's worth of postings to see IF someone else has a similar thread. IF I were that able ... I'd not NEED the message board. ON TOPIC??? with us... NOTHING is "on topic".
"One is advised to not resurrect a very old topic if nothing significant will be added?" WHO is handing out the crystal balls???
And that one about self absorbing.. STILL PISSES ME OFF
GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRr///
ok... maybe I am done this time. **innocent smile**
Many of our support groups deal with extremely sensitive and personal matters and we are keenly concerned that our members interact in a positive way. We provide interaction guidelines to help encourage healthy and supportive sharing and we do everything we can to foster a safe, protected environment for our Member's healing.
1. Sensitivity and Respect
Our Members share very personal details about serious and troubling aspects of their lives. Extra care must be taken to ensure that carelessness does not lead to hurt feelings or worse. Take care of each other and this service will be a great source of support and comfort for you and your fellow community members. If you don't like what someone has to say, simply ignore them.
2. Thoughtfulness & Responsiveness
We request that interactions between Members are thoughtful and respectful at all times. Please take care when writing messages to other Members or writing postings that others will see and be very aware how your words may affect those that read them.
Also, please be aware that communication online is not always immediate. Sometimes people will not be able to respond quickly to a message or comment. It is our hope that Members reply as soon as possible to each other, preventing the feeling that they are being ignored.
3. Using Humor
Humor is definitely one of the best medicines but it can also be misinterpreted, causing hurt feelings. Of course we want our members to laugh and have fun with each other while they share support but because online communication lacks the many cues and subtleties that are a part of communicating in person, humor must be used cautiously. Sometimes an honest attempt to lighten the spirits of someone who is having a hard time can make them think they are being made fun of.