Self-help forums

JennaJameson

Not entirely sure that this is the right place to post this, but I'll give it a go.

Basically, I have a whole load of stuff (nothing major, the usual unemployed, thoroughly miserable, anxious, recently broken up, unsure what to do in life, feeling useless crap!) going on, and because I studied in college on the other side of the country, I have no local friends.

Obviously, I can text the friends I do have, and all that, but I think I'd like to be able to discuss and work through this stuff with people who aren't as close, who are a little removed from all that's going on, and whose patience I haven't already worn out :P

I know there's a personal issues section on this site, but for some reason I'm quite squeamish about using it, I dunno why. I think I feel the anonymity isn't sufficient.

So, I'm wondering if there is anything similar, that you ladies may know of, where I can get some constructive support? Some kind of online forum where I can bother people with my silly problems?

I'm thinking along the lines of what Jillian Michaels forums supposedly are like, but those you have to pay for, and that's an issue for me (another thing I'm upset over-huzzah!)

People have suggested blogging etc. before, but that feels like I'm talking to the air, which is all I'm doing at home as it is.

Esoteric_

OP, you can post unregistered in the Personal Issues forum.

All you have to do is log out and pick an unregistered username to post underneath. It is not connected to your boards account, so provides pretty much the most anonymity you will find on any forum based website.

Wibbs

Esoteric_ wrote: »

OP, you can post unregistered in the Personal Issues forum.

All you have to do is log out and pick an unregistered username to post underneath. It is not connected to your boards account, so provides pretty much the most anonymity you will find on any forum based website.

+1 It's a great little forum and is really well moderated, so don't be concerned about your anonymity or daft replies. It' s a safe place.

Esoteric_

Wibbs wrote: »

+1 It's a great little forum and is really well moderated, so don't be concerned about your anonymity or daft replies. It' s a safe place.

I was in a rush earlier, but I've posted unregistered there once or twice and found that everyone was just as helpful as when I post on this account, and nobody ever linked me or my posts to the unregistered posts. It's the most anonymous place to post about any issues you're having that I've ever found.

Neyite

Furthermore, if you do decide to post in PI, if other posters were to link to, or discuss PI problems elsewhere on Boards, its very frowned upon and Mods of those forums can and have infracted for that. Posters anonymity is protected - its really important to us in PI that this is the case, and we do our best to be vigilant that the replies they get are constructive, supportive and helpful.
If at any stage you wanted to lock or edit your thread, the mods are happy to help.

Having said that, PI is usually for getting advice on specific issues, so if its more to log your feelings from time to time, and get ongoing feedback like a series of therapy sessions, its not really suitable for that.

How so Joe

Just a note, if you do have anything you post about in PI, it's possible that people might recognise your writing style/details of your post.
I mean, if you want to keep it secret, it might not be as secret as you think.

I know that seems a bit unlikely, but I posted a thread in PI anonymously - once - and two separate people realised it was me.

vitani

Hi OP,

I came across this earlier - it might be of interest: http://www.aware.ie/help/life-skills-online-programme-information/

It's an online programme, run by Aware, and it seems to be based around CBT principles. Not exactly what you're looking for but it might be useful.

Esoteric_

How so Joe wrote: »

Just a note, if you do have anything you post about in PI, it's possible that people might recognise your writing style/details of your post.
I mean, if you want to keep it secret, it might not be as secret as you think.

I know that seems a bit unlikely, but I posted a thread in PI anonymously - once - and two separate people realised it was me.

I find that changing some details and altering your writing style a bit helps. I've deliberately made incorrect spellings and used words that I wouldn't normally use while writing an anonymous post on PI, and that's stopped people from realising it was me.

JennaJameson

You've all been wonderfully helpful, thank you.

I'll definitely think about the PI board, but it still makes me feel quite squeamish, I dunno why. I think I get these great ideas in my head sometimes to rant and talk about all that's bothering me, but when it comes down to it, it feels quite trivial in the context of what other people have going on, and I feel silly then.

But all your advice has been excellent, thank you!

Das Kitty

JennaJameson wrote: »

You've all been wonderfully helpful, thank you.

I'll definitely think about the PI board, but it still makes me feel quite squeamish, I dunno why. I think I get these great ideas in my head sometimes to rant and talk about all that's bothering me, but when it comes down to it, it feels quite trivial in the context of what other people have going on, and I feel silly then.

But all your advice has been excellent, thank you!

Pretty much everyone's problems are small when compared to those of others, but they are big deals to ourselves and IMO should be treated as such. Just remember that you deserve as much happiness as the next person and don't let the things that are bothering you linger, becuase that's how they grow.