knmurphy_roughdraft

__Anxiety, Depression, and Bi Polar Disorders: What Can I Do From The Comfort of My Own Home?__ It’s midnight, and you feel as though you are in the worst mood of your entire life. No one is awake, and you have no one to talk. You have got a headache, you are scared, and you feel like doing something terrible you never would have dreamed about. What are you going to do? More than ever in today’s society, people are facing all different struggles when it comes to living everyday life. With problems such as inflation steadily rising and failures in today’s banking systems, it has because easy for almost anyone to become easily stressed. However, anxiety isn’t the only issue a lot of Americans are facing, depression and bi polar disorder are two very common others. A few decades ago, it was simple to go and see a therapist or have a doctor to prescribe something to help cure these problems, but with the computer age booming in current times, people can go onto to the internet and find lots of different people to talk to about their problems without having to leave the comfort of their own homes. Anxiety is an emotional state in which people tend to become fearful when placed in an uncomfortable situation. People cannot control or predict when or why certain events may cause these emotions. It could happen from a simple day at work where one might become overwhelmed and start to stress out, or something such as going to a grocery store where they do not have an item someone may want. Many have trouble dealing with these feelings and cannot afford to go see someone that could possibly help. However, with the option of going online, a different world has been opened to help them deal with these problems. For instance, [|www.dbsa.invisionzone.com] has online forums people can post problems they are dealing with while others can reply in hopes to help the person with the problem. One person, debiski, writes about how anxiety has caused her to miss her class reunion. She talks about how she mailed out to rsvp and the ninety dollar check to attend, however when it came time to go, she lied and said she was sick because she was too nervous to go. In response, she had eleven people tell her it was not her fault, and all gave her words of encouragement. Although she was too nervous to talk to someone in real like, she responds with how she cannot believe the encouragement of others has helped her in such a large way. A second site, [|www.socialanxietysupport.com], allows people all different types of ways to help cope with their social anxiety. There are forums where you can simply post what you think your symptoms are, to forums on how to get help. One who posted, sabueed, posted how he plans on going to group therapy, but he doesn’t know if it is actually going to help him or not. One posted back saying it was helping, but he came back on letting people know how it went, so they could possibly get the same help to cure their social anxiety. Although these are only two examples where people can talk to people just like themselves and get help, there are many different sites to help with anxiety when someone doesn’t want to get outside help right away. Anxiety may be one of the most common disorders in today’s society, however depression falls right at the top of the list with it. Depression disorders are serious illnesses that can affect one’s mood, concentration, sleep, activity, appetite, social behavior, and feelings. This problem affects over nine million adults ever year. With nine million people, there are many who need to see a doctor, but just as anxiety, choose not to or simply don’t want to because of the fear of what others may think. [|Www.depression.about.com] is a very popular website among people when they seek help for their problems. It has serious forums where people can post the problems they are facing, but it also has just for fun forums where people can possibly let loose and post something fun to put a smile on their face. On the serious note, rosiebucket2002 posted about being depressed. They thought things were under control, but now they feel like hurting themselves everyday. Seven people responded to this with words of encouragement and understanding telling her not to do it. Some people do not have a means of seeing a doctor in extreme situations like this, so it can really help someone when another person they do not know is responding to their posts with inspiration. A second example comes from [|www.takethislife.com]. One particular person named screennameless starts a forum about a woman she recently met who she believes is depressed by the way this lady is acting. Instead of coming to the site for herself, she is trying to understand the disorder so she could possibly help her new friend. With numerous responses back from many who seem to want to help her with her problem, she seems to have gotten the answers she needed, and responded by thanking everyone who helped her. Any site people may go to does not necessarily have to be for themselves, but to possibly help another who does not believe or want help. Finally, one last disorder many face today is bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is a disorder where people face extreme mood, though, energy, and behavior changes. It currently affects a known two million people. Just as anxiety and depression, bipolar disorder can occur in anyone, and if not treated, can have serious consequences. On [|www.dbsa.invisionzone.com], a member names Hawke describes how he is disabled because of the bipolar problem he has. He can not work or leave the house, so he sits and plays games all day because the medications are not helping him. He has tried several things, but is now reaching to online support with a hope that people out there can help him. Many people responded to his original post welcoming him and giving him suggestions. He may have not been capable of leaving his house to get help, but a simple website on the computer gave him hope that he isn’t the only one out there. One person talked about something that could possibly help him, and he responded saying he tried it, and it seemed to be working. People do not have to leave their homes anymore to get help. Technology has given the light to many. [|www.forums.about.com] gives anyone a chance to post about anything they like, dislike, or are having problems with. One particular forum that has gotten a lot of attention is a forum by a user named PJ who talks about his problems with bipolar disorder. After seeing a doctor, he realized he needed to let go of a lot of things to help his disorder because bottling things up inside wasn’t working. One he started letting these things go, life became a lot easier and his disorder was becoming more controllable. With all the responses, a few people posted they saw what he was saying and they were going to try and see if his solution worked for them. Not only can these forums help people release what they are feeling inside, but give many solutions they might not have though of themselves. Although I only have a select few examples of different websites that help people, there are millions. Anyone with a computer with internet enabled has a chance to visit these sites, and the more important thing, is anyone with common disorders as these can get help. People can chat with other people and possibly prevent something serious from happening. Anyone can get help for themselves, or for a friend who doesn’t realize there are other people out there who need help such as them. The internet has come so far as technology has grown, and it has enabled people with any disorder to seek help.  