Can I be Open & Honest with you guys? How reddit detroyed my mental health! #VulnerabilityPostHere So short story

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Dear forum members,

I want to take this opportunity to share my story and the profound impact Reddit has had on my mental health. It’s not easy to be vulnerable and open up about personal struggles, but I believe that by sharing our experiences, we can find understanding and support within this community.

When I first joined Reddit, I was drawn to its vast array of communities and discussions. It seemed like a place where I could connect with like-minded individuals and engage in meaningful conversations. However, as time went on, I found myself caught in a downward spiral that deeply affected my well-being.

Reddit’s anonymity and the freedom it provides can sometimes lead to a toxic environment. I encountered negative and hateful interactions that gradually chipped away at my self-esteem and sense of self-worth. The constant exposure to judgment and criticism took a heavy toll on my mental health, leaving me feeling anxious, drained, and defeated.

Additionally, I stumbled upon certain subreddits where hate speech, cyberbullying, and trolling were rampant. Witnessing such cruelty and lack of empathy was disheartening and deeply affected my perception of online communities.

Recognizing the impact Reddit was having on my mental health was a crucial turning point. I took steps to protect myself, such as avoiding toxic subreddits and unfollowing negative threads. I sought support from loved ones and professionals who helped me regain perspective and rebuild my self-confidence.

While my experience with Reddit had its challenges, I also acknowledge the positive aspects. There are many supportive communities and compassionate individuals who uplift and encourage others. It is essential to find those safe spaces and surround yourself with people who promote kindness and understanding.

I share my story with the hope that it resonates with others who may have faced similar struggles. Remember, you are not alone. Seek support, both online and offline, from trusted friends, family, or mental health professionals. Prioritize your well-being and create healthy boundaries when engaging with online platforms.

Let’s foster a community where openness, empathy, and support prevail. Together, we can navigate the challenges of online spaces and promote a culture of kindness and mental well-being.

With warmth and solidarity,
Kalyani

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I don’t use reddit, but my sister recently downloaded it (she engages in other communities, not episode) but people on there are pretty wild. Reddit seems like a battleground for really small, most of the time subjective things that get way too heated. I know how it feels to be discouraged from writing, so I’m sorry to hear it affected you that way. I think it’s important to know that all the drama surrounding certain authors over (I assume) stupid small things may come with the territory at times, but it certainly should be separated from the actual work itself. I try not to overly engage with the community when I am in the process of writing my story and I feel like it makes me a lot more passionate about the world I am creating as opposed to worrying about how people will receive it.

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Hi, Welcome to the community, love. I understand, and that’s why I got rid of it, and ever since then, my life has been tremendously better.

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I understand that Reddit can be a toxic place, and it is important to be aware of the risks before using it. Here are some of the ways that Reddit can damage your mental health:

  • Exposure to negative content: Reddit is a platform where people can share anything they want, including negative and harmful content. This can be triggering for people who are already struggling with mental health problems.
  • Cyberbullying: Reddit is a breeding ground for cyberbullying. People can easily hide behind their usernames and say whatever they want, without fear of repercussions. This can be very damaging to the victim’s self-esteem and mental health.
  • Comparison culture: Reddit can also promote comparison culture. People are constantly comparing themselves to others, which can lead to feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt.
  • Isolation: Reddit can be isolating. People can spend hours scrolling through the app, without interacting with the real world. This can lead to feelings of loneliness and disconnection.

If you are struggling with your mental health, it is important to limit your exposure to Reddit. There are many other ways to connect with people and get support. Here are a few suggestions:

  • Talk to a` therapist or counselor

  • Join a support group.

  • Find online forums or communities that are positive and supportive.

  • Spend time with loved ones who make you feel good about yourself.

  • Take care of your physical health by eating healthy, exercising, and getting enough sleep.

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Let’s be honest here… Now I’m going to bring up a word that is going to offend a lot of people (sorry in advance), but, oh well, I’m speaking from the heart. It seems like the type of people you’re talking about are called narcissists; they have a tendency to bring down others by comparing them to other people (or, in this case, authors), bringing up the past, like past events or things that others have done, just to either keep them in bondage or feel like even if you try to move on, they’ll still have that memory of you telling them they can’t. You may ask, What is a narcissist? A narcissist is a person who has this grandiosity about them; they feel like they’re entitled to say and do whatever they want without reciprocation, thinking that they’re superior to others; aka, they make you feel like you’re going crazy like you’re imagining sht or making up sht when you’re not. I see that you speak about forgiveness and letting go in your post. Narcissists typically are grudge-holders; they never let go of anything that has happened or things or people who have offended them, which is sad because you see through them their really soft and fragile people inside (it’s like there is still a child in an adult body). If they could see that forgiving their offender is not for their offender, it is for them, then they’ll learn how to let go of not only their past but the past in general. Also, with this new age bullsh*t, social media is the worst place for a narcissist to be simply because it feeds their ego, which is not a good thing. For example, every like or every comment that agrees with them makes them feel like their superiors, and if you know a person with these tendencies, you need to tell them to go to therapy to get help. I’m not going to sit here and lie. I’ve had these tendencies before, and once I realized that I was the problem, I went, got help, and eventually got healed. No, I’m not saying all of them are narcissists, but from what I’ve seen, a hell of a lot of them are. There is no need for constant bullying and nitpicking, and yes, I’m speaking of rude and nasty authors as well, because, let’s be honest, most authors aren’t as innocent as we think they are based on what we see.

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I see where you’re coming from.

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I actually left the Episode community because of Reddit; it’s just TOO TOXIC, and honestly, I don’t know why Episode is still allowing that platform to be part of its brand, whether they make money from it or not. From my point of view, there are so many people losing. So many people are leaving the community, and from my standpoint, the majority of the people I know are leaving because of Reddit, and they are starting to see what I see. Also, Reddit was turning me into a toxic person. To be honest, whenever I used to see authors get bullied, I used to hop on the bandwagon and bully them. After seeing, acknowledging, and knowing these toxic traits within myself, I realized that no matter what the author did, it was wrong for me to do that. I was asking myself “Would you like it if it was done to you?”. So I deleted Reddit, and when I tell you things instantly got better for me, I dropped 30 pounds, and my mental health got wayyy better after deleting that abomination. It felt so good.

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True

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Welcome to the community,

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It’s great that you acknowledge those toxic traits within yourself and made the right decision to remove yourself from the situation and get better from it. So, Kudos to you sis. :smiling_face:

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