Writing In Paragraphs When Responding to Someone With Depression

[blondguy]

Hello Everyone

Thankyou for taking the time to read my new thread. I am still new on the forums and would like to ask any new or existing members for their thoughts. After having and recovering from depression for many years and recently having a setback I do find it difficult to read lengthy paragraphs as my concentration is somewhat reduced since I signed up in January. I am very proud to be a member of the forums and have done my best to provide my time and help where I am able. I am currently caring for some people on a face to face basis that have acute anxiety and recently diagnosed depression that aren't on the forums. I have also taken a break as per the advice I have received from some very kind people on the forums.

I have nothing but respect and admiration for my peers who provide their heartfelt advice and wisdom to new and existing members. Some of the people I am caring for have difficulty reading lengthy posts/paragraphs and absorbing the valuable advice that is being offered.

There are several health professionals/authors that limit their paragraphs/publications to just a few lines so the readers have a better sense of clarity without expending the mental energy they don't possess whilst healing.

Your thoughts/views are most welcome and appreciated. Thank you so much

My Kind Thoughts

Paul

[weezie09]

Hi Paul, I am so glad to see you've written about this. I find myself skimming over anything more than a few sentences as my mind works a lot quicker than my eyes. I naturally write in short sentences and use paragraphs as per my intro.

I only signed up today so I haven't read any of your other posts but are very eager to. Good luck with everything, hopefully your setback is just that, and you are back on track soon. I cannot wait until I can say I've 'recovered from depression' !

Hopefully a few take what you've said on board as I've found some posts hard to read also.

Once again, good luck - look forward to catching up on your posts

Kindly, Lou.

[White_Rose]

Hello Paul

Thank you for your kind words. As ever, I am bowled over when I receive a compliment. Haven't been around for a couple of days due to other commitments. I hope to be back on deck for a short while until I have a few days break.

I like your picture. It amazes me how we form mental pictures of other people and are then surprised to find the reality totally different.

I have read your posts on many occasions and they show your care for others and desire to help. I was facilitating a group discussion with older people the other day. We were talking about the lessons we had learned in life and went on to talk about passing on these lessons, knowledge and skills. I think this is what we do here on BB. That probably sounds like stating the obvious, but it is worthwhile to remind ourselves that we are unique people with a variety of skills, knowledge and general life experience. Offering that experience to others as a gift is how we all grow.

Thanks for your kind words.

Mary

[blondguy]

Hello Lou

Thankyou for your reply and welcome to the forums too! Really appreciate your kind words of support 🙂 Always great to have a fresh pair of eyes...You seem to have a lot you can offer, looking forward to seeing you about! Paul

MARY....It doesnt surprise me that you are involved in organising a group discussion with older people. You provide heartfelt & wise counsel.

Kind Thoughts...Paul

[Starwolf]

Hi everybody (Weezie, a warm welcome to you),

The way people write their posts is often a useful indicator of their current state of mind. The more pressure they're under, the less punctuation/paragraphs they use. Punctuation and paragraphs are the breath of the written word.

When stressed, we are assailed by a rush of thoughts and words tumble out on the screen "in a heap". When composure goes out the window, typing can't keep up.

It makes sense that breathing spaces in our replies help convey a sense of calmness and order, of clarity Vs confusion.

PAUL, thanks for the compliment. It will amuse you to know that yesterday, this blend of "clarity and wisdom" was utterly defeated by a 963 g fluffy bundle of attitude... lest your kind words go to my head 🙂

[blondguy]

Hey Star....I have been on a couple of new threads with some great
help being provided by other new members. Some of the responses were
circa 1500+ characters without a break..I am not being critical in any
way of the responses as the help provided is invaluable and wise too.

I just wanted to refer to something you just posted.."Punctuation and paragraphs are the breath of the written word" So very very true...:-)963g of fluffy bundle of a woofer? What type? Do tell!

If any new posters have absorbing or concentrating on lengthy responses please let me know 🙂

Kind Thoughts

Paul