That's one way of looking at it. I certainly agree self-absorbtion can be a by-product of depression and a tiresome tendency.
I look at DS as a big relief after years of enduring things that make ppl look at you like you're from planet loopy lou, mania, for example. I want to support those who aren't doing well as well as those who've got the balance right. I'm crapping on, think I'm hungry or something.

Very Good thought stinky. I have been thinking the VERY same thing. Even as a child with lupus with serious joint amd muscle pain ..i never complained. I knew I just had to deal woth it. No one likes to hear it .But its life. So then I get the diagnosis of BP and now my ways of living have to change. I am forced to be in seclution with my blinds shut and my phone turned off. Nooooo Im living the way I am because I feel so needy for support. That is someone thats not me. Yes I get wonderful support here ..but friends come and go and Im still right here . I have a goal and a yearning to fill my life with the good instead of the bad. I still love and support everyone here of course ..im just goin to try to get back out in the world..we'll at least not be so scared ..Us BP's need to stay toghether you know !

There are a Million reasons to agree with this, Fazer...when I had anxiety I learned what those reasons were.

I discovered Learned Response Behavior, because my physical self would "react" in a certain way according to what stimulus was presented to me...turns out, it was my Mind reacting, and my body responding to my mind.

I had to un-learn it. But I had to take control (somewhat, ha ha) of my mind, which involved Thinking In Another Direction.

getyourmindoffyourproblems!!! may sound like a "surface" comment from a Saner or something, but they're not so far off, sometimes...

Just like worrying!

All in all, though, I knew NOTHING about true bipolar behavior before coming to this website, and I have actually PROgressed, not REgressed, by having been here.

The triggers that have set me off during life, time after time, are now In Front Of Me where I can see them, and figure out what to Do with them! I don't want to keep making the same mistakes in my life, for the Rest of my life.

I may seem "worse" to a few in my reality, but I'm not - I'm just Opening Up about how bad I've been! Quitting jobs, going through relationships, overspending, and lots and lots of things - I'm just NOW admitting it, rather than hiding it! So I can FIX it! 'Cause now I know I'm not stupid and alone... :\

I certainly think too much self-introspection doesn't help and I try to balance this by turning my focus outwards - on the natural world around me. Otherwise, I think DS does provide vital support when needed, and, very importantly (to me anyway), a wonderful way of looking at the world and ourselves with humour. I've had more laughs on here than I have with people I know in the 'real' world!

DS has helped my tremendously. Even when I'm just whining about my problems there's always someone to give me comfort. BPers tend to be introspective because they're trying to 'figure it out'. I NEED feedback to help me put things in perspective. This and DBSA has been a life saver for me. I understand more of my disorder and by listening to others vent I've seen myself and try to avoid the pitfalls. Some may go in circles but, for me, DS has given me hope.
peace, t

It may be that we don't know the sound of eachother's voice...never hearing one another laugh or cry.
Yet there are those that have allowed others to lean on them giving them stregth and courage when they're afraid and alone. Those that have reminded us that we're indeed strong which gives us courage.
Unconditional love without asking for anything in return while teaching us valuable lessons when we desperately need to learn. Many who guide those of us, when we are in dark hopelessness, back towards the light of hope.
Friends who accept us as we are when we can hardly accept ourselves, challenging us to go on and fight. Nourishing our hearts, minds and spirits when our resources have been danergously low.
We are blessed to have eachother and Daily Strength.

Tough question. My hubby thinks I spend way too much time on DS fixated on my disorders (bp and alcoholism). He says "geez, no wonder you're sick its all you think about." To some extent I think he has a point. On the other hand I have learned a great deal at DS. Although friends here come and go it makes a huge difference to me to know that somebody else out there cares what happens to me (even if its only for a little while). When I have problems I get support from DS. When I'm stable I get a boost from helping others.

yup yup yup.. at first when i came on here it was to learn about this whole bp stuff to learn about myself and to know i wasnt alone in this illness... but while i was doing that i have made a lot of friends on here and we dont only chat about bp we have other things to talk about but its nice that when u have a prob or something u can bring it right up and no one is looking at u like wtf is ur prob because we all understand each other here...

like everything else, in moderation is the key ;)

ARRRGHHHH...head imploded!

I try not to over analyze it. I already know I need the help. Problem is "out here" without DS I really have nobody to relate to on the things I am going through so I feel very alone. I think for everyone it is different and they will take it in a different perspective. Some will be able to handle DS without overanalyzing themselves with triggers, etc. and some will be able to take what they learn from others like them on here and grow. I have made some very special friends on here that have helped me tremendously, and a couple that I won't mention by name (but know exactly who they are who are so incredibly dear to me that I am alive now b/c of them/her) - and it's all because they are going through almost the EXACT same thing as me - where am I going to find that "OUT HERE". I may not have met them in person, but it doesn't matter...life link is life link, support and love is just what it is no matter what form it comes in.
Does that make sense? OMG!!!!!! YOU MADE ME THINK!!!!! NOT A GOOD THING! SCOTTY'S head hurts!!! DAMN YOU SQUIRRANDA, DAMN YOU!!!!!

But I still love you! CRAP!!!!

oh f***, i wish i could read today :(

Hi, Fazer!!!!
I find that coming here gets me OUT of myself!!!
I may be focusing on BP, but I'm not focusing on ME!!
There are times when I'm down and it hurts too much to read about the pain of others. I stay away at those times, at least from the saddest of the posts.
There are times when I feel like I have something to say which might prove helpful and/or supportive to others! Those are my favorite times for being here!!!
That, and when there's really funny posts going on!!!!

don't know about the rest of y'all, but my crazy ass needs a place to bounce stuff off of. this place works for me because I am pretty anon... know what I mean? and vs. group therapy I don't have to deal with the atmosphere in the room... this is working for me BECAUSE of the chaos

I've felt and thought a lot of the same...

ultimately, DS helps me. I try to keep it light lately on the boards & just use it as a place to meet & laugh with other bipolars...

and offer support when I can...

I try to avoid over-analyzing. when I need help, I ask for it.

there are a few other message boards too that are tremendous sources of strength & support for me.