I've been gone awhile, but have been here since 2007. This placed has changed a lot. It use to be very helpful, and people swarmed to help you and the posting went so fast that it didn't take long for it to get to the last page. I loved it then.

Things seem slower now and hardly no one is responding to the post. I think one reason is all the different private groups they started letting people start making. . And, all of the different threads on the main board. Maybe it is not slower, but, everyone is posting in so many different places it seems that way. Like, you have a crisis thread, a off topic thread and whatever else. Before everyone had to post on the main board.

I love DS, it saved my life back in 2007. Hang in there, it will get better. You can try reaching out to others and making friends that way. I don't have a lot of friends that I talk to on a regular basis. prefer to have just a few close ones that I can be true friends with and get to know them

Things happen, that is why people disappear , may not even be that they want to. My computer used to break down and I would be gone for awhile. Or, maybe they could not afford the cable? But, that is one of the things I don't like, people just vanishing and you don't know if they are ok, dead, or better.

I was on here years ago, left due to the board not being controlled well, imo. Too much anger, fights, back biting and so forth. More stress people don't need. Came back and it seemed like there were fewer folks. I think people that are depressed, lonely, nervous wrecks like me, sometimes want for some chat, and though I didn't like the meebo problem, it was better than nothing.

Another bloody day, hope you all have a good day, as good as possible.

I guess the online interactions just come with a unique set of downfalls. I see posting after posting of how lonely someone is, no replies to postings, no nothing. I know of more than a few times where I have been done like that, by some of the same people complaining of DS. I'm not referring to someone that, EXPECTS a response EVERY TIME, just a simple acknowledgement or courtesy hug back occasionally. In general terms, look in the mirror, otherwise we do tend to feel like something must be wrong with us.

Ya, I know what ya mean, and that is sad as it makes that person feel more lonely and depressed, like no one cares.

What used to gripe me was that giving people, like myself, would reply and try their best to give good advice and show caring and then when the giver is falling apart, nothing, not a word. That's why I got so I didn't post how I felt because I figured what's the point, kinda like being alone in the ocean yelling for help, no one hears ya anyway.

Don't know if this has already been said before, but I do get what you're saying, I think.

I'm in and out so much that a lot of the things mentioned don't apply.

But I have figured out that focusing on the depression actually does make it worse. It's like a 'law of attraction' thing for me. I focus on good, and things really do start to feel better.

But I do try to come back to help (trying to get better about that) because I did receive a TON of support (and still do).

Hope this is making sense...but yeah, I guess that would be my advice...if you feel like you're getting sucked into a depression vortex, by focusing on it too much, just take a break. Focus on something fun. Nobody's gonna be angry at you.

Sometimes. Lately it has been difficult. I tend to come here when I feel lonely, but it feels like fewer and fewer of my friends communicate with me which just makes me feel even more lonely.

It also stinks when people forget about the person that has been a faithful friend that is always there through thick and thin because they focus too much on being ignored by others.

I think it would be very seldom that an online friend could be as strong as a RL frienship. I would say, give thanks for what you shared and move on. It's the internet for heavens sake. There are many more just looking for some support.

It is the internet, but it is human beings on here just the same. Plenty of people develop offline relationships from people they met online. I sure hope the friends I support, encourage, and listen to won't just think I'm no big deal because it's just the internet. I think it does a disservice to the friendships that can be developed. I don't look at people as cattle that are easily replaced. You don't know me so I'm unsure what I have to move on from, but I appreciate your attempt to help.

I just want to say how much I appreciate all the advice and support. There are obviously a lot of great people on this board who care. Thank you.