The world has crashed and burned, and my mental health is burning with it

[[Ju...]]

13 minutes ago, [[S...] said:

Justintime,

I may not agree with everything you say but I will tell you this, I am angry too. I just cannot sit back, force a smile on my face and let it be. 

Alittle off topic but, I am watching a poor innocent woman in my state being railroaded and falsely accused of murder, not only had this made national news but world wide. I am angry after 2+ yrs the case isn't dropped....she is factually innocent. There is so much corruption in regards to this case and now other cases are being looked into more because it involves the same investigators. People are being JAILED for defending her and speaking the truth (yes just for speaking) while the real killers are walking free with literal smiles on their faces coming out of court. THIS IS THE NEW AMERICA???? NO!!  I could go on and on and tell you things about this case, a horror show and how many people from all different backgrounds are supporting her and wont back down, it's beautiful and amazing to see, but it angers me that it has dragged on for so long. This woman could be me, my best friend, my mother, ANY OF US. Also, I am watching a family member throw their life away (they aren't sick, they are lazy) and not make something of themselves and when I try to intervene I AM THE BAD ONE. I am directed to look the other way and get over it.  Sometimes I wonder if being an ugly human pays off? You do well, you play by the rules and you still get pushed the back of the line and when you speak up then your "offensive' and are the problem. I guess being a good person and speaking the truth gets you nowhere anymore. 

Time heals just wait and trust the process right? lol

The things I see daily are mindboggling. I cry so much, clearly I must be doing something wrong.

Absolutely, I agree about the doing what you're supposed to getting you nowhere these days. It's like the world is a factory now, it's just a big machine and everybody's a worker. The people at the top make a lot, the people at the bottom are just expected to slave away for low wages.

And yes that's a shame about the criminal justice system as well. They don't care about what people do, they don't care about what people are innocent of either. All they care about is the technicalities and the court protocols, it's like it's a game to them.

I've been filing lots of civil lawsuits over the last couple years, and it's a joke to try to navigate without a legal background. I'm finally figuring it out, after years of stress. And the judges don't care if you are represented or not, they expect you to just find your own regardless of your financial situation. They say "it's not the court's duty to provide you representation, that's your own duty". Even when you are the filer, even when you are the plaintiff that needs the help, they don't care.

[[Co...]]

14 hours ago, [[J...] said:

I'm confused, I thought I had posted to the anxiety and depression and whatever category, and at the top it says off topic. So I'm not sure why it's in off topic.

But regardless, we're all supporting each other and having a good conversation. I'm so confused as to what we're supposed to be doing here. We're all experiencing excessive anxiety and depression and stress because of the benzo withdrawal, so we're discussing what's irritating us. Is that not support?

The topic was moved here because it did not fit with the Insomnia, Depression & Anxiety forum.

However, neither does the discussion conform to our general posting guidelines. I think I have already been quite clear about this. Further, it is encouraging more of the same from other members.

[[Ju...]]

1 minute ago, [[C...] said:

The topic was moved here because it did not fit with the Insomnia, Depression & Anxiety forum.

However, neither does the discussion does not conform to our general posting guidelines. I think I have already been quite clear about this. Further, it is encouraging more of the same from other members.

Now I'm seeing the problem. It's a moderation problem. There was a purpose for it being posted in anxiety and depression. The whole purpose for my rant about everything, the whole purpose I was venting, was because of all the anxiety and depression that was causing me to be pissed off. Did you not read the post?

Other members are also anxious and stressed and depressed, because of all these world events going on. We were all venting, we were all supporting each other, only a blind man can't see that.

Sort of like the website rules, why can't you just make them short and simple for americans? Say something simple like we have members on psychiatric pills and we don't appreciate profanity. That's all you need to have on here, just a short one or two sentence rule. But no, it's like pages and novels full of all kinds of different scenarios and what ifs and possibilities and Vibes and conundrums. The heck is going on?

[[Co...]]

43 minutes ago, [[C...] said:

I want to remind everyone, again, that most of what is being discussed here is NOT beneficial to other members, nor, I suggest, to those posting the comments.

I edited the above post. But I think hope most of you will have understood what I meant to write.

[[Ju...]]

3 minutes ago, [[C...] said:

I edited the above post. But I think hope most of you will have understood what I meant to write.

No, I don't believe any of us do understand. Again, it's some confusing European rules that are not straightforward. Obviously we are here for the same reason, because we all believe it is beneficial to post on it. If it wasn't beneficial, we wouldn't waste our time posting.

Moderators always keep chiming in and giving Twisted perspectives, one-sided beliefs. Obviously if there's four or five different posters on a thread, and there's only one moderator who disagrees, then the majority wins. And if the moderator still feels that it is unacceptable, then that's a personal opinion. We're not here for personal opinions, we're here to support each other.

[[Ju...]]

17 hours ago, [[C...] said:

For BB to take on the role of crusader against psychiatrists and psychiatry would not be only a distraction, but also a disservice to the very many members reliant upon psychiatrists and psychiatry

This is where your perspective is 100% wrong, @[Co...]. Of course, this is just my opinion as well, just as you have an opinion.

While there might be a few members who benefit from psychiatry, the overwhelming majority of our benzo buddy members on this website have been harmed by psychiatry. Generally the overwhelming majority has the better say in the matter, because that is a higher percentage that were harmed.

For a biased Pro Psychiatry moderator to say otherwise, due to his own personal beliefs and opinions, is an invalid remark. Your stance on the matter and your European personal opinion, is that Americans shouldn't so-called distract, by pointing out the realities of the harmful Protocols of psychiatry. Your personal opinion is that nobody should speak against psychiatry, otherwise it's not supportive to the other members. Where did you get this fake opinion from?

It would actually be a great beneficial service to the other members, if they had the proper knowledge to never fall for the harmful Psychiatry agenda in the first place. If they had never taken the government pills from the start, they wouldn't be on this website in the first place. The preferable action in life would be to keep people off of pills, prevent them from harmful neurological damage, and prevent them from seeking support in the first place. In other words, if there was never any harm done, they wouldn't have had to seek help in the first place.

For a recovery website moderator to suggest members should incur harm and act Pro psychiatry, and keep listening to the harmful Medical Professional that suggested the harmful neurological pills, is simply harmful in itself. That would be like somebody who runs a physical therapy clinic, suggesting that not getting mad at the driver who ran into them and broke all their bones, is a service to the other Clinic members. I would disagree, I would say sue the driver that caused the harm and try to spread awareness to incompetent drivers causing accidents, to prevent more accidents. Does this make sense?

[[Ju...]]

I have for one of many members, learned after 5 years of being on this website, that it is opinion based like anything else in the world. Moderators have their opinions, members have their opinions, medical communities have their opinions, just as the government has their opinions. Nothing in life is one-sided, everything is a two perspective or deal. Sometimes more perspectives.

While benzo buddies has the right to make whatever type of website they want, place whatever material they want on it, and enforce whatever rules they wish, it does not change reality. The reality of our situation is we were harmed by synthetic pills, the synthetic pills were approved by the FDA and medical panels with the Federal governments. There's no disputing this fact, that's how reality works.

The site moderators claim some people are helped by these harmful pills. But are they? Some people might see a benefit for a short-term, but they also might be harmed for a short term. Most people will be harmed from long-term use, and most doctors will prescribe long terms. Even if taken by government and big Pharma and medical protocol, even if used for emergency situations, these synthetic pills can still cause harm. How many people are actually helped? Very few. How many people are harmed? Well, almost every member on this website.

So take these statistics and facts for your own opinions. These pills are not helpful, the moderation is not supportive, no one is tackling the main issue. Everyone is trying to treat symptoms, symptomatic Medical pills, symptomatic moderated support, meanwhile everyone is failing to eliminate the harm and the actual reality problem.

Whenever I think of support, I think of members being able to verbally discuss the harm they incurred due to the medical community. Yet moderation wants to silence them? Moderation wants to create their own fake agenda and fake reality and fake perspective, to kick everyone under the rug? And to make it even worse, they say that's considered support? Support to who? Benefiting who?

Look at the traffic on this website. Look at the software used for the platform. Look at the moderators and how many hours they spend moderating this website. They say it is a volunteer website, that they're not required to do anything. Well of course they're not required, nobody is required to work. But is it volunteer, is it non-profit, is it not created for a purpose? Why is the website linked to government agencies? Why is the moderation so heavy and afraid of government and medical feedback?

Let's get real here, this is an internet forum. There's a million internet forums, dark web drugs, pornography, war, recovery homes, consumer goods, automotive, home repair, you name it. And then look at the moderators on benzo buddies, trying to act as if this is a God website, they have the power of all, they know the American law, they know what support is, they know the facts of benzo withdrawal even though it's not medically documented, etc. Seems like snake oil to me, seems like a big scam at this point after being here 5 years.

I wonder if it is against the moderation rules to call the website a scam. I wonder if their opinion is that it is counter-supportive to disagree with the moderators? Is it counterproductive to the other members to point out the realities of the world? Is it not supportive to help members find legitimate ways to avoid harm and heal from neurological damage? Seems to me that the moderators are avoiding reality, and trying to increase website traffic.

[[Co...]]

6 hours ago, [[J...] said:

This is where your perspective is 100% wrong, @[Co...]. Of course, this is just my opinion as well, just as you have an opinion.

I think I have been extraordinarily patient, but this is really tiresome. It is not 'wrong'; it is a matter of policy. Ultimately, the decision regarding community scope - as owner of BB - is mine to take. Just as it is with any other forum owner/operator. I have not taken a poll, but I doubt anyone on the team disagrees with the policy that BB should remain friendly to members who make use of psychiatric medications and psychiatric services. BB is, primarily, a peer support community - it is not an (anti-psychiatry) campaign group. I would further suggest that the vast majority of members understand this, and even agree with it (no matter their personal personal experiences with psychiatry).

I am now mostly responding for the benefit of other members, taking this as an opportunity to hammer home our policies and why they exist.

[[Co...]]

15 hours ago, [[J...] said:

Now I'm seeing the problem. It's a moderation problem. There was a purpose for it being posted in anxiety and depression. The whole purpose for my rant about everything, the whole purpose I was venting, was because of all the anxiety and depression that was causing me to be pissed off. Did you not read the post?

Your opening post to this topic (anyone can read it) clearly does not fit with the Insomnia, Depression & Anxiety forum. I have already gone into detail about this:

The world has crashed and burned, and my mental health is burning with it - Off-Topic - Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Support (benzobuddies.org)

[[Co...]]

14 hours ago, [[J...] said:

Other members are also anxious and stressed and depressed, because of all these world events going on. We were all venting, we were all supporting each other, only a blind man can't see that.

I have already replied in detail to this too - for the benefit of the vast majority of members, there are limits (but no absolute ban) on venting, diatribes, etc.

[[Co...]]

17 hours ago, [[J...] said:

No, I don't believe any of us do understand. Again, it's some confusing European rules that are not straightforward. Obviously we are here for the same reason, because we all believe it is beneficial to post on it. If it wasn't beneficial, we wouldn't waste our time posting.

It has nothing to do with 'European rules'. BB is hosted in the US and 1st Amendment rights do not prevent forum owners from placing restrictions on content. Indeed, the 1A actually protects the right of forum owners, as private entities, to decide these things.

17 hours ago, [[J...] said:

Moderators always keep chiming in and giving Twisted perspectives, one-sided beliefs. Obviously if there's four or five different posters on a thread, and there's only one moderator who disagrees, then the majority wins. And if the moderator still feels that it is unacceptable, then that's a personal opinion. We're not here for personal opinions, we're here to support each other.

Yes! So why do you insist upon forcing your opinions and content (which violates policy) upon other members? (Rhetorical question)

Moderation often involves judgement calls - it is the nature of the beast. But no one on the team is supportive of your position.

[[Co...]]

7 hours ago, [[J...] said:

For a biased Pro Psychiatry moderator to say otherwise, due to his own personal beliefs and opinions, is an invalid remark. Your stance on the matter and your European personal opinion, is that Americans shouldn't so-called distract, by pointing out the realities of the harmful Protocols of psychiatry. Your personal opinion is that nobody should speak against psychiatry, otherwise it's not supportive to the other members. Where did you get this fake opinion from?

The vast majority of moderators and admins are from the US. In my PM to you, to demonstrate that BB is not at all unusual, I pointed you towards a webpage which provides a breakdown of the content policies of the large social media websites.

Free Speech on Social Media: The Complete Guide - Freedom Forum

You replied with:

I don't agree with your link. Freedom Forum doesn't know what they're talking about.

There is nothing to 'disagree' about. These are plain facts. There is nothing controversial there about the 1st Amendment rights as stated - it is firmly based upon long and well-established law and precedent. The listed policies from the various social media sites are transparent facts - they are quotes. And all but one of those social media companies are American-owned.

There are restrictions upon scope and allowed content at BB - just like with any other social media site or message board. I am probably the most lenient member of team when it comes to breaches of content policy (more so than the largely American team).

Again, this post is more for the benefit of other members.

[[jo...]]

Well maybe I will throw in a couple pennies here.

I think this is a healthy discussion and I for one appreciate both @[Ju...]'s perspective and @[Co...]'s perspective. 

Running a forum like this has to be very challenging given the nature of the content and the real and perceived consequences of upsetting members in a highly stressful and unstable state.  Colin and his team have provided a life-saving service for people struggling desperately in extremely dangerous circumstances.  They work tirelessly without taking advertising dollars or charging members.  This to me is more 'care' than any health care provider has ever shown me throughout my entire life.

On the other hand, the fact that this is one of few resources for us that can ACTUALLY help us, is exactly @[Ju...]'s point.  For many of us, the people we were told to trust implicitly, and who we paid handsomely to help us at our most vulnerable moments, did more damage to us than anyone else in our lives.  It blows my mind that western medicine and all the other institutions have fallen this far.  So as not to go down the 'bashing' rabbit hole I'll leave it there. 

I will always be forever grateful to Colin and his team for providing the one resource that kept me from digging myself into a much deeper hole.  I'm a year out and still feel the effects of it, and I can only imagine how bad it would have gotten without the knowledge I found here on BB. 

At the end of the day it is @[Co...]'s forum.  While I don't agree 100% of the time with the decisions of the moderators, I am 100% grateful for the service they have provided to me and so I hold back my rants and sharing videos (that I find to be quite on the nose and entertaining). 

Reading @[Ju...]'s posts was almost like reading my own diary.  He hit every point that I've restrained myself from writing on here about the system.  I completely understand the sentiment and the natural rage we feel as a result of the predicament we were herded into by a callous, profit-driven system. On top of that I appreciate his written eloquence.

As a thought experiment, would it be possible to create a 'Venting' group similar to 'Long Haulers' where members need to be long into their recovery and agree to seeing possibly upsetting content? It could be a moderation nightmare, but it also could be a good way to protect new members from upsetting content.

J

Edited March 21 by [jo...]

[[Ti...]]

@[jo...] There used to be a big thread that was just venting statements on the old platform. I think it was titled “vent here.” 

[[Co...]]

2 hours ago, [[T...] said:

@[jo...] There used to be a big thread that was just venting statements on the old platform. I think it was titled “vent here.” 

There was. But rules and guidelines which might have impacted that thread were not always applied as rigorously as they are now. We are trying to be more consistent and adhere to proving the best support space we can. Compromises are inevitable.

I am not totally against such a topic. But from a quick scan of the old thread, some of the posts appearing there would not be allowed now. Particularly content which disparages the medical profession and might tend to discourage people from seeking medical attention (and yes, this includes attention from psychiatrists). Neither would we wish to see members parked there delivering diatribes all day and every day.

One of the things we changed when we migrated to this forum software was to archive forums which encouraged silo mentality (Buddie Blogs and Groups). A thread like 'Vent Here' could easily descend into such a space. If someone posts a topic along those lines, I suspect this is what would happen and/or there would be a lot of content which obviously breaks posting guidelines - the thread would end up being locked. And, be warned, many of the team are much less tolerant than me of that type of content. They might well close it down before me (I would not say they would be wrong to do so).

I hope you all can appreciate that no matter where we decide to draw lines, some members will be unhappy about it - some, very unhappy. But compromise is inevitable - BB cannot be all things to all people. Of course, everyone one of us might draw different lines - I can only do what I think is right and sits reasonably well with my conscience.

 

[[re...]]

i am on your page JIT one hundred percent. It is basically the EXACT way I view things just like you. I don't think going down the rabbit hole and asking serious questions is any more dangerous than this fluffy "hugs" stuff many people do here. And I think for REAL change to happen one has to get angry and passionate or nothing will ever change. But the best change you can make is not to let them kill your spirit and don't let the quiet death march of society keep you from having these strong thoughts. 

On Colin's behalf I think he wants to keep the forum decor in more of a therapeutic and somewhat scientific fact based support forum where people can go (especially newbies) to find more support over strong opinions and vents. But I love the venting to be honest and I think many on here, if they were being completely honest with themselves love it too. I think we feel so helpless in this and overwhelmed that the "what can I, one person do in all this" feels so defeating and isolating. But I do think taking a walk/ exercising to get the mind in a different place will help as well. We have to be super careful with constant ruminating no matter how correct we are with those thoughts. 

 I do now feel "the science" at least in the medical field has  been co opted by big drug company interests. Similar to the cigarette science that was saying cigs were good for you when we know now these so called scientific studies were no more than researchers on the phillip morris payroll. This is not conspiracy theory. But at this point well known. Enough time  goes by and the truth gets to the surface when at the time it was deemed CRAZY.

It is 2024 and there should not be rapid tapers and cold turkey withdrawals perpetuated by doctors. There is nothing scientific about this and it is as barbaric as Nazi torture for many people. Or at least it feels that way for many. 

I would like to sit around on this forum and in real life and be able to at a minimum question things like what the hell is the reason that every head of the DEA (At least where me and JIT live) for the last many years is ALWAYS on a board for Eli Lily, Pfizer, Astra Zeneca etc before they get their DEA position. How can one possibly be objective and protective of it's citizens when they have been paid so much money from pharmaceutical companies and STILL are getting money via lobbyists to look the other way. It enrages me to no end and i can't stand the aloofness that so many have when it comes to this blatant damage to the health of it's country's citizens in lieu of extreme and bloated profit margins. I feel it is genocide on a mass scale. Weather it be the non pronounceable ingredients in our food or the medicine cascade side effects that can and usually will happen given enough different medicines after awhile. 

[[jo...]]

All Hail 'The Science'.  I agree with you RB.  70 years ago 'The Science' was leeching, lobotomies and deformity causing 'morning-after-sickness' drugs.  Now it's rushed-to-market jabs and chemical lobotomies.  Some of the Nazi torture might well have been preferable. 

I still don't envy @[Co...] and team's role of having strike a balance here so I will limit my rant to that. 

J

[[An...]]

On 19/03/2024 at 17:25, [[n...] said:

JustInTime, I'm afraid I know how you feel. I think many see what's happening in the world,  just go on Twitter, you'll get more news than you ever wanted.I

True!  Twitter is a madhouse now (LOL). Since (free speech) Elon Musk took over, you can say almost anything you wish and have no fear of being banned. You can not threaten, harass, or bully ppl and no child porn. Almost anything else goes on Twitter now.