Forums can be a negative place. I learned this years ago. Lots of venting and negativity. WHat can you expect, really? Nobody comes to a MH forum to talk about their good times. I have approached this forum with the goal of remaining positive, even when I don't feel like it. Offering whatever help or suggestion I can to others at least makes the time feel worthwhile. I amdit my perspectives can be skewed, however.

The internet shouldn't substitute for interaction with others or a therapist. However, they do allow one to express themselves in a detached manner with sufficient feelings of safety that one can at least express themselves instead of keeping it in. Writing about your thoughts helps, even if nobody listens or they are not directed at anyone in particular.

The questions I have been somewhat obsessed with lately-- are socially healthy people really normal? What is normal? How do people do it? How do they make it work? It has always been a perplexing problem. It's like trying to crack a safe. I have been able to figure out a few numbers in the combination but I am not sure what order they go in or where the other numbers can be found. It can inolve a lot of stumbling and fumbling, sometimes making a fool of oneself in the process--or perceived fool. Who knows. I do not get bothered as much as I used to. Therapy has helped some. INteracting with others in group therapy as well. Interacting the best I can with strangers also is something I work at. There is always that missing code, however. Where is it? WHy can't I find it? Is it worth the search? I don't know, really. I become tired of worying about it.

The last few group therapy sessions have made me consider the added problems faced by men in the MH system and perceptions of the public. WOmen with MH issues suffer just as much as men. We are all equal. HOwever, I do have the notion that being a male with mental illness can bring additional agravations--or perceived conflicts. Easy to pass off men with MH issues as losers and violent loners, people to be shunned and feared. Part of this is hollywood's doing. Part is ignroance by the general public. Part is the gender roles and stereotypes.

I also get worked up subconsciously in group therapy sometimes when the dual-diagnoses individuals seem to get the most respect from others. Those who have dealth with drug addictions are often passed off as "Courageous and strong." for dealing wht the issues. They are courageous and strong but these are two words never associate with those who have struggled with and dealt with MH deblitating MH issues. Men who suffer from MH issues are often seen and portrayed as suffering from a personal weakness and defect of their own choosing, even among some of those who themselves have been treated for the same conditions. Youre a man. Suck it up and move on. Those who have toiled with MH issues are never protrayed as filled with courage or resolve. MH issues lack glitx and glam. It is a defect. Nobody makes an MTV show about MH patients undergoing rehab for depression , bipolar, or schizophrenia. One is relegated to loserville.

Such is life. Nothing you can do. I also have skewed perspectives. End of negative thoughts for the day. It helps to express them in one swoop, instead of brooding on them and carying them over to the next day.

I never liked group therapy. You're right, the people who overcame addictions seem to get some sort of "strong" status over and above everyone else. It was more of a 1 hour nagging session from people who were unmotivated to do anything to get their life running smoothly.

For what it's worth, I didn't view the men as losers or aggressive before getting to know them more.