facebook,medhelp and depression

Question

While the studies are conflicting regarding whether facebook increases or decreases depression in some individuals depression increases in facebook with all the people posting their best side .

But support groups like medhelp where there is greater member involvement i find gives greater camaderie .  But still when i am in very low mood and dont feel like posting unlike in "real life " interactions you feel very lonely even here .  
Do others also feel similarly  ...

nursegirl6572 · Accepted Answer

Well, social media sites can be nice to keep in touch with people you otherwise wouldn't in real life (HS friends, etc), but I'm a firm believer that some people spend WAY too much time on sites like that.  They become wrapped up in other people's drama and nonsense.  Who needs that?  So, I would recommend keeping use of a FB type site to a minimum, maybe checking it once or twice a day, or less.

A site like this can be wonderful, but of course there are drawbacks too.  Of course if you're reading in a depression forum, most of the posters are going to be posting about being depressed.  That's sort of a given.  So, if reading a lot of other people's stories makes you feel worse, then just don't read a whole lot of other's posts.  Stick to your own threads, or just read a few threads here and there.

Plus, MH is a big site with all kinds of forums, user groups and features.  Feel free to browse around, find groups or forums that would peek your interest, or forums you may have something in common with where you would want to help out.  Also, utilizing the journals and trackers and other features is great too.  I mean heck, there are even groups about dogs, cats, religion, current events, you name it.  The user groups are nice, it's more of a personal experience, more like a "chat room" experience, more social, versus the more instructional you may have in a user to user forum like this one.

Lastly, and most importantly, while online groups can certainly help us in some ways, and even give us a sense of support, it should NEVER be your only source of help or support and should NEVER be used in place of real, in person support or help.  There's no substitution for that in person connection you will have with other people, the eye contact, physical touch, etc.

hopefulforfuture · Answer

thanks for the nice and informative comment nursegirl . As usual i am amazed at the detailed replies you give in this site :)  
I agree  . Among online groups this group i like more than fb even though i am in " depression " group  .. Starting to make some friends here too :)  

Ya will check out other groups ... thanks

mandy876 · Answer

hang in there i know by now you have made some nice friends i am taking a vacation i got to get out of this for a while.  it is getting to me.. i cant hanle when people are not  good to their parents.  i will write later. got to take a break. I will write  back when i  decide what am going to do,  god bless you i will miss you so much.  chalene

mandy876 · Answer

i thought i was the only one.  some days i feel good and some days it gets me down.  i get so depressed listening to all these people.  why is there so many people that are depressed?  it does not seem real.  dont know who is who and if they are truly ill.  you are so right.  mandy876

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