[Canela]

Okay, I think we are aaaalllll way off subject here...I was sooooo excited to hear of the PTSD chat room. I thought and still think, it is a good idea...however, I hope you will receive this with the respect and love it is written from.

I think--before I say this know that this is only my opinion--The chat room was a branch off this thread, another type of sharing if you will, about the things that we suffer PTSD from. Yes, there does need to be a password, because people who lurk here well, that's okay, but as we have seen, we have NO WAY of knowing what will be discussed or "touched on" and well, those aren't for just any lurker. There needs to be a "safe place" away from prying eyes and curious souls, for participant's protection.

I think the purpose you created this thread for, Apocalipstic is very appropriate for as you put it, "posting and sharing day to day things" as they happen. I know that to some, "triggers" may occur even upon reading what someone writes in this thread but how can I/you/anyone be responsible for something we share about ourselves and our experiences that hurts someone else? I don't mean I don't care, please everyone I don't mean that, what I do mean is that when this thread was created, I don't think it was ever with any intention of "triggering" anyone, but of sharing what A was feeling and going thru and then opened it up to the rest of us who wanted to participate and share, too...Correct me if I'm wrong, A, but that's how I understood some of your previous posts...(sorry if I got it wrong).

And I realize some group therapy does not speak in specifics and does or does not do certain things--but this is new to all of us. Perhaps we should not speak in specifics to avoid triggers and such...perhaps. But if we can't be honest here, in a thread or a chat where we all share commonalities regarding PTSD and its residual effects, where can we be? We just have to figure out the best course of action for those who truly are interested in participating, sharing, and shaping this new branch of support...

Again--my opinion--but in my opinion, what you have started here in this thread for yourself (Apocalipstic) and others has grown in different directions. We know as adult learners some of us learn from different sources, different methods. And I feel like that's what's happening to us now--where we are growing in our needs to discuss and share and deal.

I love everyone who has poured out their hearts and fears and love and support here, and I want you all to know that each of your input is valid and valuable, but as the outpouring of support for this chatroom says it should be a go, we should give it a go. I hope that you will all find it in your hearts to try it, like we have everything else...

I am sorry if I derailed your thread even further. I just wanted you to know (Apocalipstic) that the way I saw things was that you did an awesome thing stepping out like you did and starting this thread. Now someone else wants to take it one step further, and I like that growth too. And yes, privacy is needed in a real time chat conference or group, because there is no telling what will come up.


One last thing. This site, this thread, this chat room and all the friendships forged here are not NOT by any means meant to take the place of any therapy or healing practices anyone is involved in.

I am not a professional, unless being friends and being there for others is a profession.

Just my humble opinion...