[Blue Morpho]

Hello Crazyboarders:

I'm new as of yesterday, thanks for having me here! I spent a bunch of time cruising the topics and trying to catch up with things. I knew I'd like it here when the intro section is called "Who The H#%l Are You?" This, I thought, is a good place ...

Okay first, the question. Then my intro if anybody gives a &^%$ to keep reading.

Why do you post to this forum? - Is there something you hope to give? To get? Don't like any other forums? This one is just the best? Bored? Great resources? Curious to know what it is that brings the crazies to the board and keeps them coming back.

Still reading? Wow. I have a tendency to post 'War and Peace' length posts. Editing is not my strong point.

Me person - Middle life, scientist, married, been dealing with mental illness all my life, but didn't know it until my first full-blown panic attacks sent me to the therapist at the age of 24. History of childhood neglect and abuse, reinforced by abusive boyfriend, caught up with a vengeance. Main diagnoses were originally OCD, GAD, Depression, Panic Disorder, and some Specific Phobias since those were the symptoms that were the most pronounced. Used CBT, guided visualizations and every relaxation/self-talk trick in the book in order to deal. Would not touch meds for ten years. Kinda dumb, actually, although I truly am the CBT poster child. But ran up against CBT limitations when forth major depressive episode hit and I became really suicidal. Finally picked up two diagnoses that were missed, and that have changed everything, mostly the Chronic/Complex PTSD but also Social Anxiety. Am now doing everything I can think of as experiments for healing, and some are paying off, finally.

I've been writing a blog for 1.5 yrs now about some of my fun times with this, also have book reviews, resources, and some looks at the psychology professional literature. The blog is great fun for me, good therapy, and best of all helps me connect with like minded folks.

There you have it. Glad to be here! Thanks for reading.

[Vapourware]

Welcome to CB!

I guess I post on here just to say hello and make the newbies feel welcome. It can be intimidating posting on a big board like CB.

[olga]

I came here 5 years ago because I knew something was wrong with me and I was looking up side effects for the medications I was taking. When I discovered that the "something" was depression, it was as if someone pulled up the window shade and showed me the view outside.

I like it here because we can vent and whine and scream about our lives, and it's acceptable behavior. he he But I also like it because we recognize the value of medications, therapy, and a healthy lifestyle. It's all about helping people to get back up on their feet and have a good life. Or at least one with the minimum of pain and aggravation.

We have a blog section, and you are welcome to blog there. Please PM one of the mods if you have a concern.

olga

[Raquin]

I've been coming here for a couple of years now. I love the lack of condescension and the fact that other people are going through very similar things. It's nice to know you're not alone. It's also nice to know that you're not going to get lied to, just to make you feel better about a really stupid decidion you're making. There's much more I could type.

[vanderk]

Welcome! Love the avitar. My wife is from Venezuela and have had numerous opportunities to encounter Morphos alive, rather than dead and pinned. I don't usually join the Welcome Wagon but felt a need to welcome another mid-lifer who is science-minded. Adds a nice balance to all the young-ins around here. I trust you'll appreciate the breadth of the forums here. And I'm confident that lots here would love to hear about what has been working better for you.

[Heatherta7]

Welcome to CrazyBoards!

Well to answer some of your questions, I found this site while googling Bipolar. I was newly diagnosed and wanted to understand BP more. I found other sites as well, but nothing compared to CB. I felt like I was not alone in this craziness. So I read all the posts for awhile and then joined a few months later.

What do I get out of this board? Many things. I can come here and speak freely and know that everyone understands. I also come here for information, I always get a lot of help from everyone regarding my meds, etc. Lastly, for friendship and laughs. I love the Other Crap forum. I love the realness and no bs of everyone and how there are no pitty parties about our illnesses. I really love this board! I even have it on my homepage on my iphone! I am happy I found other crazies just like me!!

[Stacia]

I came here a couple years ago and have stuck around for a few reasons. To give and get humor, info, support is part of it. That it comes without (((hugs))) but as straight up words is another. I tend to find people more straightforward and honest about themselves here than most websites, and perhaps in real life, too. I mean, you come in admitting to mental illness which is something many don't share with friends or even family for some. Is there a bigger hurdle in open self-expression that talking about what is too private to share with most and is too often taboo? That it is shared as expression and not syrupy support or pity makes you that much more real. I've also made a few friends and like hanging out on the blogs. Check them out when you have a chance. There are public ones and private ones where you designate who has access.

Welcome to CB. Feel free to PM a mod with questions. Also, check out the users agreement. The rules are pretty simple.

[Slicey]

Until now, I've done more reading than posting, but crazyboards, is very unique.
The support and advice I have gotten has actually been useful. Even a slight reprimanding in one case, has set me thinking straight.

I love this forum, not sure if it loves me though :-P

Welcome!

[r.mcmurphy]

welcome,
i came here looking for insight regarding severe recurrent depression. i am still a mess but have improved after rodeoing on strong p-drugs. still looking for something that will ring a bell for me.

[The Emperor]

Hey, I came across this site in a search for something related. I'm the member of another forum, but it has nothing to do with MI. I picked this one, finally, because really I liked the description. I like that I can fucking cuss as much as I fucking want to and spout negativity and ramble on and on about the weirdest shit and it doesn't matter. I liked the rules, I thought the descriptions for almost every forum on here made me laugh, it fit my sense of humor. I wonder who wrote those? Anyway, I like it. People tell it like it is around here, and that's really nice.

I hope you like it as much as I do, and you don't have to cartoon cuss around here. You can type out the whole, lovely fucking swear word.

[scatty]

I love this place. People give great advice, and they know where you're coming from. I like the swearing too.

[rowen]

I've been coming here for about two years. I found it when Googling something or another. I like that drama is kept to a minimum, the people are pretty knowledgeable, and everyone's all around helpful. Welcome!

[Mayteana]

Came for the laughs.

Stayed for the people.

Welcome to CB.

~ May

[danceintherain]

Welcome!

I came when in crisis, out of the hope that I might get some advice, tips, and support without the fake hugs from people you've never met.

I stayed as the crisis alleviated because I realized that MI requires more day-to-day maintenance than I expected and because the people on here are quite wonderful.

[Blue Morpho]

Wow - this is great! Thanks for all the posts answering my question - I feel very welcome. Will keep reading all the responses. Nice to be here.

[Velvet Elvis]

Came to the predecessor board something like 5 years ago looking for med advice. Stuck around. Somehow ended up owning it. I still hang around because this is where my 2nd family is and because I don't have anything better to do.