I way laying in bed last night and asked myself the above question.

When I first started with the forum in October of 2006, it was almost an obsession because I found a group of people who understand the insanity that my life had become with PTSD. I felt connected like I hadn't felt in a long time. It was also bittersweet because I had people I loved in my life that wanted to help and undertand, but couldn't. And I had a group of strangers who could. Getting to the point where I could live with this took some time.

I've taken breaks from the forum. Anywhere from a few days, a week or, as in the last time, several months. I understand breaks are necessary or reality gets skewed and life gets even more screwed up. But I still feel this draw to this forum. The only answer I could give myself was that it was a place I felt comfortable being myself. Outside of my home this is a rare thing in my life. I've become very, very good in my life at putting on the necessary mask for whatever situation. Being able to put the mask aside and letting the real Lisa out is such a wonderful thing for me.

The draw I've felt to this forum has gone from something the I needed when things were at their worst to something I now enjoy. With the occasional bad day bringing back the need for people like me.

The idea for this thread has been running through my head for several days. It was brought on by several threads that dealt with the same subject.

Anyone else care to share their reasons they keep coming back?

Lisa

I also go through days or weeks where I don't come to the forum. I come back, as I have recently, when I need someone to hear me who will understand. I don't know anyone in real life with PTSD, and only my counselor really understands my reactions. I like having people who know what's going on without a lengthy explanation on my part. It's a relief.

For me this forum is probably the closest thing to a "support group" that I have. There aren't any face to face meeting groups like this where I live (that I know of) so this is the only place where I feel like people can understand certain feelings that I have. In the proper doses I think it is therapeutic to hear from others like me and hopefully I can be encouraging as well.

Just as in a face to face support group, I wouldn't spend an entire day in a meeting so I try not to spend much more time here than I would in a group like that. Just an hour here and there works for me.

I finally decided/admitted to myself that I CAN'T/DON'T ask for help, so coming here I give the support that I probably need/lack. In doing this I guess I end up finding support in other threads.

I think for me there is some relief in reading other threads that describe what I'm going through at times. I can get answers to my own thoughts by reading other people's posts.

I don't know anyone in real time who has PTSD so it's nice to come here and share experiences and know that most people here understand why I feel insane without an in depth explanation.

I like to share my experiences with others because it helps me to release my frustrations through writing, which is a form of my creativity and self expression. I'm unable to do this with my family and friends.

Tammy

I agree with everyone and could not have said it any better myself. The one feeling I can express here without having to try and explain---My Fear----

Anytime I say anything about being scared or frightened I get the same question-----
what are you scared of!

At least when I come here, I can talk about or vent my fears and no one asks me what I'm afraid of.

This is a place where I don't have to "explain" That means a lot to me.

I come back in hopes that I can share what I've been through and have tried and can help another person. I am now at a point in my life where I don't need the forum for support or knowledge anymore. I have plenty of that in real life and have plugged into my life full bore. I don't spend much time here anymore, but when I'm here it's with an eye of what can I share and give back.

bec

I am not as deep as others. I simply had my email box fry and I actually thought people suddenly stopped emailing a couple months ago. Turns out I had most of my real mail dump into my bulk mail box.

But yes, always nice others can relate as that is a no brainer but forums have drama which I so do not need.

Would I be here without you all and this place? Nope. But I would not be here if I had stayed full time either.

At the moment I'm fairly obsessive about the forum. Checking it several times a day - for what really?

I think for a long time I've been hoping for the magic piece of the puzzle that will give me the answer to the puzzle of my pain and then I will be set free.

Although I think my obsessive stage is about to end as it is already starting to change for me. Now I know that I can use the forum as a way to obsess over my symptoms or use it as support to get me to face and talk about my trauma. Managing my symptoms now comes second to talking about my trauma.

It has certainly pushed me onto the path of recovery. Along with the therapy. I know that if I just had the therapy I'd probably still be denying and avoiding.

And of course like alot of people have said it's finding kindred spirits when no one else gets it. It also helps me feel less disconnected.

I am glad it is here when i need it and to one day not feel so much like i do...that just means i have more work to do.