I could use everyone's help! :)

[emilyosu 0]

Hey all,

 

 I’m a social work student at The Ohio State University. I’m currently conducting undergraduate research on the usefulness of internet support groups in managing anxiety disorders. To aid in my research, I’m seeking adult members of support groups to complete an online survey about their experiences. Participants will be entered into a raffle to win either one of four $50 Amazon gift cards. Participants will be asked to electronically sign a consent form before they complete the survey and all answers will be anonymous and kept confidential to the best of my ability. The survey will take approximately thirty to forty minutes to complete and will include questions about age and mental health status.  If you’re interested in participating, the link to the survey is: https://cswosu.co1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_3r8yJYfKQooX1el

 

 Thank you for your consideration!

[Gilly 1086]

I took the survey, I hope that was ok. It only took me a few minutes

[jonathan123 2368]

Hi emily. We have been here before and I commented then that it is not research that we need it is help on the ground and change in the attitude to mental health by the powers that be. The abilty to get treatment fast. I know that this varies from country to country but in the Engish speaking world it is not easy to get help when required. You sometimes have to be pretty bad before any real help is available. The research done on mental health must run into thousands of reams but has there been any real change in the public attitude? I see very little. Researchers would do better to lobby Parliament or Congess or whatever to get some funds to help proper treatment as opposed to drugs which, after all, just sweep the problem under the carpet. All the research you need can be found on Facebook or Twitter. The campaign groups are speaking loudly and, hopefully, will be heard at some stage. In the UK we can often wait up to three months to get Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). When you publish your research will anyone listen? There is no substitute for one to one therapy but the cost so often rules that out. I don't doubt your motives are sincere and I wish you every success in your endevour. But my experience of mental health treatment over many years leaves me remaining very cynical.   Jon.

[Gilly 1086]

Jon, emily is doing research on online support groups and forums, I gave her permission to post the survey.

[jonathan123 2368]

Hi Gilly. Sorry. Didn't know that. It is still my belief that there are too many surveys and not enough action. In the words of the old Indian Chief  "White man, all talk no do". I am not saying it applies to Emily but a lot of students regard mental health problems as a good means to obtain a Doctorate by doing pointless research. We are sitting ducks. I often wish, and I am sorry if this sounds cruel, but if some could experience full blown panic just for a day no research would be needed. They would be standing outside Parliament waving banners.

Jon.

[emilyosu 0]

Thanks Gilly, of course it's ok!! Jon-I didn't want to disclose this but I actually suffer from social anxiety myself, and have found the internet very helpful, so I'm not just doing this all for a degree, but rather to see if internet support groups are a legitimate means of support.

[jonathan123 2368]

Hi Emily. I would not, for one moment, imply you have any motive other than to be helpful and I am sorry you suffer from Social anxiety. This can be a real curse at your age when you look around at all the extroverts enjoyng themselves. I have been involved in the anxiety problem now for many years in fact I go back to the days when there were no websites like this where one could get help. I felt very alone but not now. I have seen many therapies come and go; I have attended hundreds of talks and lectures and read many books and I know there are a lot of people out there cashing in on the fact that anxiety is on the increase. There are also many sincere people who really want to help but it is usually confined to those who have 'been there' themselves. You are in a unique position; you know what it's like. May I wish you every success in your studies and I hope the social anxiety eases as it usually does as we get older. My sincere good wishes.     Jon.

[emilyosu 0]

Thanks Jon. It's definitely hard to be an introvert in our society. I'm a lot more "functional" now than I once was but I still have a long way to go.

[jonathan123 2368]

Hi emily. I hope you don't mind me coming back on this but your use of the word 'introvert' caught my eye. My therapy and subsequent training was in Jungian therapy and 'introvert' and 'extrovert' are words that Jung introduced into the English language. But you will already know that. I feel that being an introvert is not necessarily bad. It means you actually think and, unlike the majority of mankind who just go blindly on, you are aware of what motivates your fellows. This must be a great asset in your studies but it may be what is causing your social anxiety.  I also suffered this way but came to the conclusion that what most of my compatriots were saying was of no value anyway. I am not being cynical but I believe that anxiety sufferers have to be very selective in who they talk to and make friends with. I found a lot of my so called friends, when my GAD started, were more harmful than helpful but fortunately, they dropped away and I found more helpful understanding ones. You will have heard of 'compensation' and what a lot of us accept as normal in extroverts in in fact compensating for an inadequate personality. The blustering bully is usually a poor little person inside who make big noises outside. Anyway; nice taliking to you and the very best wishes for the holidays. TRY and have a good time.    Jon.

[emilyosu 0]

Not at all, Jon! I like what you have to say. It's nice to hear a positive opinion about introverted anxious people such as myself. How did you find understanding friends? I have issues finding people that get it. Being a very quiet person means that the only friends I make are the very outgoing types who just tell me I need to get over myself.

[JOYCICLE 654]

Get over yourself? If you got ' over yourself' and became extroverted like them, would they still be extroverted?

if everyone was outgoing, chatterboxing and extroverted, would anyone notice?  It takes all sorts ! Be who you

are . Tell them you'd rather let their outgoing personality speak for you both while you sit quietly and listen !  

[emilyosu 0]

Aw thanks You have a good point.

[jonathan123 2368]

Hi emily. They just seemed to come along. I did attend various talks on the subject by those who seemed to understand the problem. There was an organisation here that was a bit like AA in that they reckoned talking about it among those who knew was a way to recovery. Websites like this seem to fill the same function but are not so personal for making friends locally. There is an old saying "When the pupil is ready the Master appears". This may apply to meeting the right people. You may also find, as I did, that when you just touch on the subject a kindred spirit opens up and you can often help. Out of the hundreds at University there must be many who suffer in silence. The fear of the stigma of admitting that you are anxious still lingers.      Jon.

[emilyosu 0]

Oh yes, the stigma...It's so hard for me to talk about it with anyone because they don't think it's a real problem. Maybe one day mental illness will be taken seriously? I hope. It seems as if researchers are finding out more and more about the biological causes of mental illness every day, so I guess that's progress.