It is amazing how entirely alone a human can feel even when sitting in a crowd of people. I was reading in Newsweek last night that psychologists are using blogging as a therapeutic tool:

"Why do people write confessional blogs? It’s a creative outlet. It’s a forum to vent. It’s an exercise in exhibitionism. To mental-health experts, though, it’s more than that: a blog is medicine. Psychiatrists are starting to tout the therapeutic power of blogging, and many have begun incorporating it into patient treatment. A forthcoming study in the journal CyberPsychology & Behavior even suggests that bloggers might be happier than nonbloggers.

Mental-health experts say blogs are a step up from plain old diaries, chiefly because of the built-in audience. As kids, we learn that if we air our problems, we get ..."

It makes sense to me. I know I prefer to share what I write with all of you because I get feedback. It helps me sort through what I'm feeling, it lets me share with others, and it lets me know I'm not alone. I'm sure that's true for others as well.

Had I posted this or the thread about my friend wounded in the military and gotten responses that were "So?" or "Why should we care?" then I would have been discouraged and probably shut back down.

I know I don't suffer from exhibitionism, because otherwise I would actually reveal more about myself! rflol

Thanks, jacquin and J-a-W; I also read that Newseek article. I relate to what the research shows; that people who write/blog; and vent their feelings; feel happier and more supported.

Most of the time; the sharing is communal, and we receive empathy; understanding; kindness; and others often commiserate; open up, tell their stories; and help us learn something new; encourage us, and let us know that we are not alone; and that they have also had similar experiences.

It's just a continuation of journal writing, which they've been using a very long time, as long as I've ever received treatment, which I started as a teen, My Dad is a psychologist also, and I know he used them in his work, they are much more than a diary. I'm not certain I'd find the blogging helpful, because part of how the journalling works is that book is for your eyes only, you only share any of it with someone if you want to, and at the time you want to. Blogs are open to anyone, at anytime.

I do find that sharing here helps, but I feel cared about here. I think a blog where I didn't know who would see it, or how critical they would be, I just wouldn't feel comfortable enough to post it there.

The internet also offers anonymity if you want. There are three people here that know my real name, and only one that knows me in real life. I can blog and not worry to any great extend about it getting back to people that could bring it back on me.

I like blogging because it helps me to decide if I'm being over-sensitive about something or if I have justifiable anger or disappointment. The feed back from others helps me find balance. And when I get the angry, slam-you-against-the-wall-and-kidney-punch-you responses, I look past them because their over-reaction isn't as valid a response as the ones that say, "I think you might be looking at the situation wrong," or "I agree with you."

Re-evaluation and feed back are important to me, when I was younger I had major PMS and had to constantly try to decide if my anger was justified or hormonal. So I'm in the habit of scrutinizing my emotional responses to things. And sometimes hubby isn't really helpful because he's good at being my 'yes man' when I'm ranting. lol