[ SECRET POST #4133 ]

[case]

⌈ Secret Post #4133 ⌋

Warning: Some secrets are NOT worksafe and may contain SPOILERS.

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Notes:

Secrets Left to Post: 02 pages, 45 secrets from Secret Submission Post #592.
Secrets Not Posted: [ 0 - broken links ], [ 0 - not!secrets ], [ 0 - not!fandom ], [ 0 - too big ], [ 0 - repeat ].
Current Secret Submissions Post: here.
Suggestions, comments, and concerns should go here.

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

Actually, legitimate dangers and mental health problems go hand in hand all the time? Someone with PTSD might have a panic attack at the idea of going in dark allies after being mugged. The disease isn't fake because "people really are out to get you really get mugged sometimes." What makes it a disease is that panic attacks (and hypervigilance and whatever other symptoms) aren't healthy or productive responses to the knowledge of potential danger.

What makes this sound like medical anxiety is not the possibility of bad consequences or lack thereof, it's the way the those worries take over other considerations. Deciding to limit fandom engagement because of witchhunts? totally sensible option. Drafting sixteen versions of a reply, sending none of them because OP is "freaked out" - having an emotional fear reaction in the moment - and regretting it, on a habitual basis...even if it's exaggerated, that isn't healthy behavior. And worrying about "secret rules" isn't rational, at least not in the context of submitting to F!S, which has very straightforward and well-posted rules. And most importantly, OP isn't happy with their own situation, so they should know it can change.

Saying "this is anxiety" isn't a diagnosis, don't be obtuse. It's an observation. And just "anxiety" isn't even a possible diagnosis. I don't know if they have GAD (generalized anxiety disorder) or a different/targeted anxiety disorder or a mood or personality disorder that has social anxiety as one of its symptoms. But I do know the behavior they described and are not happy about, whether in the context of a formal diagnosis or not, is a brain glitch that can be changed with help.

Which is why I recommended they talk to someone who can give them a real diagnosis, and a real treatment plan, if at all possible. Or someone who can just help them learn healthier patterns without a diagnosis, if that's what want, because sometimes therapy is good for "I need to troubleshoot my brain even if we don't put an exact label on it".

[(Anonymous)]

This. As someone with actual, diagnosed anxiety, this is it. This response.

[tabaqui]

Man, so much this. Holy gods.

[(Anonymous)]

Excellent response, thank you, anon.

[(Anonymous)]

This, as someone who also has anxiety. Anxiety is not rational. It is taking something that may have a basis in rationality and blowing it up into something that is way out of proportion.

I've been in fandoms for well over 20 years now and I've NEVER had the sort of experience that OP is worried about. Which is not to say that it never happens, just that the chances of being blacklisted from a fandom are pretty darn slim. OP's reaction is way over the top.

[osidiano]

+1

[(Anonymous)]

This is a good response and you should feel good.

[rivulet027]

This.

[(Anonymous)]

At the risk of sounding like a parrot,
this.