Okay...I don't want this to get out of hand... I'm fed up with bad feeling on this forum, and obviously this post is, for whatever reason, doing this already.

HOWEVER...I'm going to ignore any arguments for my own sake, and take all the positives from this. Because I can choose to do this, and will, in order to help myself and myself first. I've been here a year today... and I've learned a lot, about myself and others. Yes, there have been times I've disagreed, been offended, felt hurt, frustrated etc.... and there have been times I have been so grateful, so supported it has pulled me through times I may not have survived otherwise. There have been times my eyes have been opened to a whole new understanding. The information, support, and company here is of great value to me. I have also learned a hell of a lot about how to voice my opinion and when... I think this has ultimately helped me offline too.

I think from what I am reading on your post, Veiled (and Bec)... is that hard work on overcoming PTSD doesn't start or end on this forum. True. Also that, to be here doesn't mean you have to be ill... you can get better. True. Also that, being here shouldn't be the sole existance of a person... life has to happen offline. Again, True. I don't think anybody can disagree with all this. These are good things to encourage.

I am elated that both you and Bec have made *so much* headway, regardless if off or on forum. Either way, the end goal is closer to both of you. And that is most definitely brilliant! Bec, I so want to hear about this dating! Veiled, CONGRATULATIONS on bringing your tachycardia down and all the work you've done. In relation to you both achieving this off forum... again this is brilliant! If you don't need this forum to heal, that only tells me that you are learning to help yourself, are self-educated enough and supported enough offline enough to do this, and are doing a brilliant job as a result!

I am sorry though, that you feel you were 'fed a bunch of crap'. I only hope that you got something that you don't feel was 'a bunch of crap' here... it is clear you are referring to something specific here, but many won't read it that way as it's not clear. I am sure that is an over generalised statement though. Maybe you feel someone, or several people fed you a bunch of crap... but for a start, you made friends with Bec through this forum... and regardless of who has and hasn't helped, ultimately, you have gained that. So it's not been all unhelpful right?

I am glad that you are both taking life forward off forum, as I think this is brilliant. That is the sole aim of this forum, to heal and move forward. Though I don't feel that needs to mean leaving this part of this life behind. Either way, this forum has been a big part of both your lives and part of your journey, whether you feel learned bad or good things (or both) here. Where you go from now is entirely your choice, and I wish you all the best with that, and hope I can maintain some form of contact to know where you are at and what you are doing!

If I ignore any thing in this post that indicates hard feeling at something (correct me if I am wrong), what I am taking from this post is that only I can heal myself... and with that comes knowing myself and only needing to know that. That others can offer new perspectives, but ultimately, I must go with what fits me? That doctors and professionals may have the tools to help, but ultimately they don't know who I am, where I've been, how I feel etc. That's good, that's how I've always felt...though I do think it is always important to consider what others offer in their views. But ultimately, I take what helps. Wise words have been said by some here that, in conclusion - consider everything, take what helps, and move on from anything that doesn't. If memory serves me rightly, I believe either you or bec (or both) have said this in so many words in the past here. Though I may be wrong, since I have a frazzled brain half the time these days!

I take all the good things your post suggests as positive encouragement.

Over the last year, both you and Bec have been an important part of this foum. And you both helped me through bad times, as have others. I have great respect for you both as people out there somewhere in the big wide world. I am glad to say that I don't feel held back. This forum is very helpful to me, when politics isn't involved. I know what doesn't help me, I know what does... and I stick with acting to protect my own best interests by sticking to what helps, and staying out of anything that doesn't.

That's my interpretation of your post, and feelings, but correct me if any of that is wrong.

Wishing you both Bec and Veiled, continued recovery.

(still, despite anything and everything, personally miss you both around here as regulars though LOL. but I'll deal with it! I'm just not a fan of change.)

At the end of the day, I recognise nothing and no one is perfect. So I'm just rolling with that, and just focus on myself, and maybe trying to help someone else too if I can. Whether that be support, information, or advice - taken or left. I think it's important to be my own boss and advocate for my own healing... others help me on the way.