Hi, I have social anxiety and depression (and I'm pretty sure I'm autistic) so I decided to embark on a PhD to discover how everyone else feels too! I would be grateful if you could answer some/all of my research questions.
I have a forum set up with the information about the research and a consent form, however by replying (unless you state otherwise) it will be assumed that you have consented to me using your answers in my research.
All info can be found here (it's anonymous to sign up and I don't have access to your email address) http://communitysupportmh.freeforums.net/

Thanks in advance for your help and honest answers.

o Q1 What have you gained from your involvement in internet support groups?
o Q2 Have your relationships with members of the support group developed outside of the forum?
o Q3 Do you feel able to be honest and open in online mental health support groups?
o Q4 Are you able to share information about other service providers and have you used any services recommended by others?
o Q5 Do you think the forum could do anything differently? If so, what?

how are those scientific questions

you cannot ask yes/no closed questions to quantify results without giving a scale
your items are poorly phrazed
do you feel able to be = ARE YOU honest and open ...
you cannot ask AND questions with different possibilities to answer


however if you mean that questions to get qualifying answer you cannot use closed questions (yes/no) it doesnt make any sense at all.

you are probably just not good with communicating with people and have that as an issue. You are thinking about it all the time and that is why you have "depression".
Maybe you are just sad because you are not able to communicate with people in the way you want to an extend where you fear the results?
maybe you have real depression. I dont know.

So now im critizising you here, ill tell you want to think of me:
be like "Wow he is such a douchebag, but actually what he writes makes some sort of sense"

I have a belief for you: How you are right now is totally ok.

If you fear talking to people that is ok. Its probably mostly because you dont know how yet.
Well remember when you learned how to drive bike, or learn to walk. Well sometimes you fall of and it hurts shit.
And then you try it again until you can do it.
Doesnt mean you will become a professional mountain biker or a marathon runner. Means you can ride the bike when you want to.
People are like that too.
The worst that can happen is that they go like "wow this guy is weird". So what. You are learning. Thats just douchebaggery.
Its like laughing at someone who cant swim. Its like laughing at the fat guy for going to the gym.

Everyone has to start somewhere and if some douchebags laugh at you - let them. You should care for your own happiness and how to maintain that, not for what other people think of you.
I think theres even a book called "what other people think of me is none of my business"
and it isnt. You cant control what other people think of you - so why waste energy trying.
do your thing and get to know people. If you want that.
If you dont - dont.

Also for depression theres good medication available. you should speak to a doctor. Shit helps a lot of people i know.

Answers:

1. Support for an issue is great, but don't expect it online because people are retarded, sites can be hacked, information stolen, and collected to be used against you. The same goes for any actual meeting IRL, you might think they are there to help you - but that's not always the case.

2. I wouldn't recommend it - has happened but it's rarely a good thing. I know tons of stories about meeting nefarious people with ulterior motives.

3. Dont do it, online definitely not.

4. I'd say it depends on the person and not simply affiliation with some group.

5. Could this forum do anything different - hmm can't think of anything.

if Canadian go to

Canadian Mental Health Association they will work at your speed if wanna go slow/med/fast

they have some good/bad group/solo stuff

if mh also effect you from finding work or keeping work they will also help with this

This post was edited by GarryGarry on Aug 27 2015 09:08am