KorStonesword
Diamond
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2012
- Messages
- 1,804
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I personally can't lean toward any particular side of the argument. I've never experienced depression (there is a clear distinction, as duckluv321 pointed out), so I can't truly see it from their side, but I can sort of get idea.
I'll try my best to look at it from both sides here as well.
It's dangerous. Exposing personal details of any kind is asking for someone to come and hurt you. Even when you're not someone suffering from depression, say you're a YouTuber or an Artist. If you work really hard on something and you get say 10 comments saying 'this is great!' yet you get that one comment that says 'it sucks' it can really hurt. Even more so when there's nobody saying it's great. I've always tried my best not to let that type of thing affect me, but it dwells on your mind whether or not you want it to, and when you're depressed, I'm sure this is amplified even further.
However, the internet is also great. The impersonality makes it a lot easier to come clean and be honest, while also making it a lot easier to lie. Sometimes you vent, and in most cases it seems that a lot of people suffering from depression are very separated from people they know in real life, and have a hard time making / talking to their few IRL friends. On the internet they can finally give their emotions and hopefully satisfy their needs. It's kind of selfish on their part, since it's clear they're fishing for compliments, but then again they are suffering from depression. They desperately need confirmation that their existence matters somewhat, and sometimes it's really difficult to talk to real people about things like that. I personally can relate, as I have a difficult time bringing up / talking to my parents (particularly my mother) about serious subjects, though I have a sister who I can talk to pretty easily.
So how should we treat these threads? There's always a chance that they're lying, and merely want compliments and attention. There's also a chance that they are suffering from depression with no friends and emotional seperation from their parents who are considering suicide. Taking into account the consequences of each situation, I find that in this matter and in general on the internet you should assume they're telling the truth until proven otherwise. In most cases, there's really no reason to lie. These threads may be bothersome, but it shows you that they trust this community more than people who are close to them, and that shows they need the support more than anyone else. It never hurts to say a few kind words, does it? Just say something like "I hope you feel better" or "Don't feel bad, we're here for you man" and move on.
Should they talk to their family and doctors about this?
Most definitely yes! So tell them that! But also give them kind words. Telling someone something that is really serious is very, very difficuly. (Trust me I know.) It's certainly not impossible, but it can take months to years to build up the courage to confess.
Should we support them?
Again, MOST DEFINITELY YES! They need our support, kind words, and advice. If they get that, then they may be able to realize that they can improve and be accepted and muster up the strength to visit a doctor.
tl;dr
Stop being lazy and read my post
I'll try my best to look at it from both sides here as well.
It's dangerous. Exposing personal details of any kind is asking for someone to come and hurt you. Even when you're not someone suffering from depression, say you're a YouTuber or an Artist. If you work really hard on something and you get say 10 comments saying 'this is great!' yet you get that one comment that says 'it sucks' it can really hurt. Even more so when there's nobody saying it's great. I've always tried my best not to let that type of thing affect me, but it dwells on your mind whether or not you want it to, and when you're depressed, I'm sure this is amplified even further.
However, the internet is also great. The impersonality makes it a lot easier to come clean and be honest, while also making it a lot easier to lie. Sometimes you vent, and in most cases it seems that a lot of people suffering from depression are very separated from people they know in real life, and have a hard time making / talking to their few IRL friends. On the internet they can finally give their emotions and hopefully satisfy their needs. It's kind of selfish on their part, since it's clear they're fishing for compliments, but then again they are suffering from depression. They desperately need confirmation that their existence matters somewhat, and sometimes it's really difficult to talk to real people about things like that. I personally can relate, as I have a difficult time bringing up / talking to my parents (particularly my mother) about serious subjects, though I have a sister who I can talk to pretty easily.
So how should we treat these threads? There's always a chance that they're lying, and merely want compliments and attention. There's also a chance that they are suffering from depression with no friends and emotional seperation from their parents who are considering suicide. Taking into account the consequences of each situation, I find that in this matter and in general on the internet you should assume they're telling the truth until proven otherwise. In most cases, there's really no reason to lie. These threads may be bothersome, but it shows you that they trust this community more than people who are close to them, and that shows they need the support more than anyone else. It never hurts to say a few kind words, does it? Just say something like "I hope you feel better" or "Don't feel bad, we're here for you man" and move on.
Should they talk to their family and doctors about this?
Most definitely yes! So tell them that! But also give them kind words. Telling someone something that is really serious is very, very difficuly. (Trust me I know.) It's certainly not impossible, but it can take months to years to build up the courage to confess.
Should we support them?
Again, MOST DEFINITELY YES! They need our support, kind words, and advice. If they get that, then they may be able to realize that they can improve and be accepted and muster up the strength to visit a doctor.
tl;dr
Stop being lazy and read my post
