Discussions
Is it Bad to Blog About Personal Issues?
Posted by Jewells • 5/03/09 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: bipolar, blogging, denial, inspiration, mental illiness, Personal, writing
I'm asking this question because I came upon a blog that said they have removed their personal blog on bipolar because people frowned upon it. I was curious about it since I do blog about it. I blog about it - it's great therapy and it might help someone else. I was in denial about my illness for a long time and that why I never got any help. You need to get help.
Let me know what you think.
User Comments
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No need for link drops. -
Thank you for your comment. I'm new at this blog cataloge. I've never really communicate on it just added my blogs. I guess I'll starting visiting more often.
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I don't see any reason not to blog about it if you think it will help other people. There will always be some critics out there. -
I think it can help others if it isn't too negative. -
I thinking blogging about personal issues is great, if it works for you
Mental Health issues still have an awful stigma about them and if your happy to blast away some of that stigma, then go for it. Just do it for yourself and if it helps others along the way, then great. -
Blogging can be about anything, people will read it or they will not read it, you can always find an audience. I'd say that it's ok to blog about personal stuff, those who frown don't have to read it. -
I think you should do whatever you feel like. People don't have to read it but the real question is do you want to make it public and if so what are your true motivations.-
Thank you for your input. I do too.
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I don't see any problem with personal blogging about mental illness.
It's the people who claim to be experts and start giving out medical advice without having any qualifications that are problematic.-
Yes, I totally agree.
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90% of my posts are about personal issues, and I have found that most of my readers appreciate that. I have had a very,very long life so far,everything from army, to a murdered loved one, to being in a cut throat industry to coping with deployments, alcoholism, inner battles etc. Most of my traffic comes from people searching for one or more of those issues and more often than not I get an email saying "thanks for sharing I thought I was the only one" or something along those lines. Many people re embarrassed to admit things and so the internet is there way of coping, when they stumble upon a blog that seems to understand what they are going through they tend to feel a sense of relief-
And I will continue to write. I come up with with more true life stories when I read my journals. I can't remember half of them so I'm glad I wrote. Does anyone know how to transfer our blogs to hard copy. No, I didn't write in word first. Dumb me.
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Geez, I hope not! My blog is nothing but my personal issues. -
I hope this gets back to all of you. Thanks for your input. That makes me feel better.
I sometimes think I have too many blogs. But it's fun and rewarding. -
I think it's fine to blog about this subject, though I would personally add links and info that are positive and lead somewhere. Not to appease the critics but to create an avenue for someone who reads your blog that may want more info. Or, to give someone who thinks they may be bi polar a connection for seeking help or speaking with others in his/her situation...
I have a section on my blog with links and info about a rare form of Muscular Dystrophy .. So rare that only 500 families worldwide have it. I feel that by adding this to my writings .. I am helping the cause I believe in by spreading awareness etc .. Not a plug btw, just a personal example lol ..
good luck to you,
Bettie-
I totally agree with you. That's my plan. I will soon update my blogs with links and books to get. These are my learning tools including my new awakening of believing in God and Angels. Before I didn't because I couldn't understand why my life had been in shambles. Between being abused by my husband, raped, being an alcoholic, bipolar, ADD, and lastly, Hep C. My life almost ended at 31, but for some reason I came back. Today, I know why.
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I don't think it is bad to blog about personal issues. Check out my blog post called "Why I Write?" This should give you some insight as to why it is important to be real with your audience no matter what. Being a real writer and a phony writer makes a lot of difference. If you are bi-polar, you have a lot of inspiration and topics to write about. Its a lot better then writing something that you are unfamiliar with. Do you? Its your blog.
eachotherskeeper.blogspot.com/2009/04/why-do-i-write.html-
Yes, I see what you mean. I thought blogging was about being truthful and be able to write what you want. The reason behind it - no one knows who you are. It's always easier to write about problems instead of telling a person face to face. One time I told someone that I had bipolar they started looking at me differently. Like I had the plaque. I stopped doing that. So I write. I can sleep better at nights hoping someone read my blog and it helped. Additionally, I get things off my brain and my chest. I also write about my ebay business and my handmade jewelry business. Hopefully, one day my businesses will take off. Having bipolar made this difficult but I did it. I'll keep blogging until I can't.
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To Tell you the truth I think I'm getting confused with too many blogs. I have some on blogger and and some on Wordpress. Only because Wordpress does some things I like and Blogger doesn't. Which one do you like? I advertise my eBay store on both blogs and my jewelry on both. But I would like to narrow them down. How would you do it?
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Jewells, Concerning your blogs...if they help someone else then that is just a benefit. I have always felt that personal blogs are another type of catharsis. You use your personal blog to work out things that are giving you trouble in your life.
Because that's whats its all about...having the best possible life.
To differentiate personal blogs from private blogs, tho - generally private blogs are restricted to just a few close friends with the same problem.
Perhaps that is what you should consider if you are not comfortable with a personal-public blog.
Just a thought.
Please visit my blog. If you can get to my website from there (I won't advertise it here) you can get a copy of my new ebook, 3 DEADLY MEDICAL SECRETS. Its free.
God Bless!
P.S. Jewells, if you need some help promoting your business, let me know. I may be able to suggest some things that you can do to help.
SolarGoddess-
Solar, you mentioned something about advertising my business. Tell me more about it.
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it depends on how we write it -
It depends on the subject. Some people do not want to hear about certain topics but we all have freedom of speech and can talk about what we want. No one is holding a gun to any ones head to read it either. If I visit a blog I do not like I do not go back. opionions are like assholes everyone has them and some of them stink.-
MOST of them stink! lol
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It is up to you really.
Sometimes it can be too egocentric. A bit of personal touch to blogging can be great -
I don't think it's bad to blog about personal issues. I do think it's unwise to publish the names and locations of family, friends and co-workers you are having personal issues with online, without their permission.
I also think that before you start blogging on any personal issues you ought to consider that what you publish will be available in Google's cache and in the wayback machine.
I do blog on personal growth, personal development, relationship, self improvement and self help issues, however, I never reveal names and locations family, freinds, or co-workers in my posts.
Blog Description
thistimethisspace - a personal development, growth and relationships blog containing posts on alternative medicine, blogging, conscious living, and self improvement.
Blogging Goal: To share information and techniques for transforming and improving life with others also focused on personal development, growth and self improvement.
Directory listings: Relationships, Development and Growth
Tags: personal development, blogging, Spirituality, alternative medicine, self improvement, conscious living-
Your personal blog is right on the balance where the information disclosed is pleasant and reasonable. Some people's personal blogs can be quite intimidating...
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Well most blogs are about personal issues so I can't see any issue about that -
That's why i have two blogs: one about my favorite type of music and the other one about personal issues, though i still get to talk about other types of music. I don't want to mix the two. I love being able to have two identities that sometimes don't have anything to do with each other. -
I don't blog about my personal life, as it's ... well ... boring for the most part, but I understand why some people do.
It can be a very cathartic process which allows the person to get rid of negative feelings, etc. And for those people that read them, it could help them deal with whatever issues they might have, especially if it's the same issues as the blogger.-
Indeed Rory. and make sure your blog is in black if you have major issues LOL.
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Absolutely!! You have to emote that utter desperation and that can only be with the colour black!
Unless, you're just utterly happy at the time ... what do you do then? Change the background with every post? LOL ... psychodelic!!
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But if you are bi-polar and blogging, how do your readers know who they are talking to? Isn't that similar to having more than one personality?
I read that it wasn't just severe mood swings...it was 2 distinct different personality-types (not 2 different personalities) but 2 different personality-types.
Is that correct?
Anyone understand that?
I think that I would definitely want a private blog if it was on an issue as serious as that. But my blog is about how your government is in bed with the big pharmaceutical companies and their deadly plan to medicate you from the womb to the tomb.
Go figure.
SolarGoddess-
Solar,
I'm not sure what your trying to say. But I know who I am. I just can't control the moods. I must say once I did say I felt like I had two personalities, but is only one person.
I don't mine sharing my blogs because yes it might help someone else. Have you ever wanted to find a book or article that's about the way your feeling so you can say "yes, that's the way I feel!" I'm not as bad as some people with bipolar.
I was in a mental institute about 10 years ago because I drank myself into wanting to commit suicide. I voluntary went into the hospital. There was a boy there that had manic bipolar and I had never seen anything like it. People who have bipolar usually drink and he did and he was out of mine. He wouldn't take his medication. There were times that I felt that way now I found a medication that seems to work. But your bound to your opinion.
I don't have any friends or family that understand my illness so writing personal or public helps me. -
@solar I am confused about the fact that you write about the pharmaceutical industry and over medicating, but are not even aware what biploar is?
@Jewells I know medication has worked for friends/family of mine and for some it has not. It seemed to take a bit of searching to find the right balance. So I think your blog will be a great resource for those with bipolar.
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If it's well writen...can't be so bad -
I blog about highly personal issues, including surviving sexual abuse as a child, being a former prostitute and heroin addict and my journey of recovery. I think my blog might make some people uncomfortable but that's their issue. I know my blog has also helped people also.-
Tyler - it is good to get it out. It's not something your really proud of it and sometimes you have no choice. People that have never been in a bad situation to not understand where some people are coming from. That's why to me blogging is good it will open others eyes.
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Here is my two cents. It is your blog and you should be able to decide how you are going to use it and what the content is going to be. Some bloggers use their blog as a business tool or for creating extra revenue. Some bloggers blog to keep in touch with friends and family. And yes I agree blogging can be great therapy. Think of it as your journal. You can write whatever you wish. I wouldn't let that other blog bother you. Ignore what other people say. Use your own creativity when updating your blog. If people leave you negative comments delete them. You can be as flexible and creative as you want with your blog.-
Here's the deal I don't get many comments except from medical people, people who have bipolar, people who want to be on my blogroll. I have never got a negative comment. I wish someone would comment on my ebay blog, but never have. humm.
But blogging is about expressing your feelings in anyway you can. It is a journal. I have tones of journals from back in 1970's and I was a very depressed person. And because I kept journals I can go back and remember some things and it's frightening. I was a very sad and sick person and I don't know why. That's the part. Why? I'm trying to find that out and blogging and comments help open that up. You don't know who I am so I don't mind tell personal things - it helps. It's like going to a therapist, except I don't hear your daddy did it.
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I always respect people who aren't afraid to be honest. I respect those who have the cahoneys to be themselves online, in person, and anywhere else. Authenticity is refreshing and hard to find.
If you're not having a good day why should you have to put on a mask and pretend to be someone you're not. Rant away baby!
Deeper friendships are formed through honesty too.
I am not one for airing out dirty laundry or having public feuds online, but I think there's absolutely nothing wrong with honesty and a willingness to show emotion and vulnerability by discussing life's ups and downs. We can't be UP all the time!-
I was asked once "Hey, how you doing? I said fine. This person looked at me and said some pretty harsh words, Jewells, You don't have to be fine all the time. It's okay to say you feel bad.
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What's the problem? Write about whatever you feel like. Enlighten people, amuse them, shock them. That's what writers have always done. -
Blogging is a medium that allows you to write about whatever you choose. Write about what you want to write about! -
In the end, blogging is what you want it to be. It is the chance to express yourself while at the same time getting a sense of accomplishment in creating a blog site. People reading your work is a perk. If you find that people are leaving negative comments, oh well...it is their opinion. Because in the end, it is what makes you satisfied and happy. -
the entire concept of my health blogs were to help people "battling the monster" diseases. People who are bipolar can help other people who are also bipolar - as well as people who are not - by letting others see that they are not alone, and/or to learn more about the disease/illness/or personal issue.
Even blogging about cancer is hard ... those with it and immediately family members are deep-knee in it, and it's very hard to talk about it (or rather re-live it). Yet, there are those surrounding friends and family who don't really know much about it and there's only so much info you can get without having your loved one or friend relive it over and over. A blog helps that.
People want to learn. People want to help. Information is the key.
Jewells .. keep doing what you are doing! (and, if you ever want to guest blog on my BFH site .. drop me a PM) -
i think the best blogs are the ones that talk aboout personal issues that you feel strongly about.
The best type of blogs are the ones that are written with passion.
And whats more passionate then talking about the subjects effecting you? -
My blog is completely personal...it's a memoir of sorts, with each blog entry telling another story.
Frankly, I'm surprised anyone would criticize your writing about bi-polar disease. Frankly, I think that sounds extremely interesting. Why on earth would they criticize that?
I've been musing how personal I want to get on my blog. I have some pretty intense stories I could tell. I hadn't thought of people actually being turned off by frank confessions/stories if written well. -
Here's an aspect to consider: www.marketwatch.com/story/forty-five-percent-of-employers-use-social-networ...
"Thirty-five percent of employers reported they have found content on social networking sites that caused them not to hire the candidate."-
Which is why anything that is under my real name, I keep "clean and safe" and my blog is under a psuedonym. =) Some people know it's me, but not general public. -
Yep. I am currently looking for a job....and believe me, this thought is haunting me as to what I want to post or not. UGH.
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Personal issues make blogs interesting so long as you focus on the positive aspects of your issues. How illness changes how you interpret the world is a great perspective. Write on!-
I'm curious about the reason for your qualification "so long as you focus on the positive aspects". Why do you think that's important? That line caught my eye because of an interesting post I read recently about honesty in personal blogging/personal essay/memoir writing. The post and the related discussion in the Writers & Writing Group here on BC are below. The initial post was triggered by a writer who appeared to have done just what you suggest here--focused only on the positive--and left some readers feeling betrayed when the "truth" came out.
Its' an interesting question for readers and writers alike: how much truth?
sothethingisblog.blogspot.com/2009/10/in-all-honesty.html
www.blogcatalog.com/group/writers-and-writing/discuss/entry/honesty-in-writ...
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Blogs are here for communication and spreading of ideas. It is for empowering the individual and make him/herself heard. And that's the last word of this argument-
That may be why you blog, Tsu, but there are as many purposes as there are bloggers.
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Ya but my comment still stands in the context of the discussion
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Do you think, then, that bloggers should ignore the negative reactions of family and friends to having their personal business shared with the world, the possible lost job opportunities, etc. and place "the spreading of ideas" and "making themselves heard" as paramount?
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It's upto the individual. You can't babysit people. They will see it in a bad light
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