Yep, another "chat" thread!!

[ladybird64]

I just asked this in the chat room and thought I would bring the subject up with admin.

I have used chat on and off for 2 years now and have watched many disputes rear their ugly heads and then simmer down again.

One thing that has struck me recently is that there seems to be some confusion about what exact function the chat room has..whether it's for anxiety related issues only or general chit-chat as well.

It's all slightly confusing.

I have always used it on the premise that general chat is fine as very few people want to talk about anxiety the whole time but if someone needs help then their needs should take priority..I believe that most people in chat feel exactly the same.

http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/articles/chatinfo

This is clear enough but maybe should be placed somewhere more suitable ie alongside the chat rules that we have to accept before we can enter the chat room.

I think there is also some confusion as to the function of the "help" room and how it differs from the chat room..I was actually in PM with someone tonight who was unaware of what the help room was.

I know the admin have got more than enough to do and Nic will probably kick my butt for starting another chat thread (gotta catch me first! ) but maybe clarifying things a bit may help any new users who feel a bit daunted about using the rooms(s).

Ok I'll shut up now

[nomorepanic]

Hi Ladybird

I don't mind you asking and will answer the best I can.

The original idea of the chat room was so that in a crisis you could go in and talk to members that could understand and help.

So maybe you were getting panicky and just needed someone to talk to that could calm you down.

Since this original idea it has progressed into a general chit chat room where members go just for some company sometimes and don't necessarily want to talk about their problems etc.

This is fine within limits and we all know that it gets out of hand in there at times and causes issues.

I would like to think that if there was general chat going on and a member came in that needed help then the general chat would stop to help that member.

We all need to remember that this chat room is specifically set up on a panic/anxiety forum so that kind of chat HAS to take precedence. If people wanted a general chat room there are loads on the internet.

As for the help room it was set up for someone to go in and get one-to-one or several-to-one help with a problem without trying to have the conversation in the main room where it can be very fast moving and people miss things.

Some members may feel more comfortable in a smaller room with less people in there when they need help.

Hope that explains my perspective on it all anyway.

[Rain]

I think the chat room fulfils a very valuable role. It needs to be remembered that even when people are not directly talking about their anxiety, they may still be gaining a lot of support from the room.

For example, people with agoraphobia or social anxiety or those who live alone can have valuable contact with other people. I also think many people use chat as a welcome distraction from their anxiety.

So when someone is talking about their favourite song they may actually be still getting a lot of help from the room.

I have been using the chat room for three and a half years and have noticed that people are very vigilant these days about saying hello everyone who comes in and making them feel welcome.

The odd dispute may arise from time to time but let us not forget that for almost 24 hours a day members are successfuly supporting and helping each other in the chat room in a way that is rarely achieved on other sites. Every day you can see people being advised and encouraged in there.

I think the No More Panic Chat Room is a success and a great place for the new person to go to gain support, discuss anxiety and generally relax and hang out with other people who understand what they are going through. We don't hear enough good reports of the Chat Room. I think it deserves a big pat on the back!

[sweet juicy]

I think the chat room fulfils a very valuable role.but should start with a good topic!

[mikewales]

Echoing Rains post :

I think its also worth remembering that there are a lot of members who dont get out, dont have many 'real world' friends or arent comfortable talking about their feelings with people who dont really understand.

For a lot of us I suppose it is nice to be able to go somewhere where people understand us, know about our situation, life etc... much like the bar in 'Cheers' and also once you get to know people, to catch up on their news, check they are doing OK - really just the socialising aspect.

Also, there are a lot of people who have met in chat, and then go on to become friends and meet up outside the room, find out they have people local to them, can chat on the phone for more personal support, so even when it may seem it is just people in there 'having a laugh' or a general chat, there is often a lot more to it than that....

One point I would raise is with the help room - people often come into chat, then go straight into help without a word - it would be nice if people could say just generally what they are having a problem with first, so others in the room could decide if they are going to be able to be any use - just a quick 'I'm having a prob with X, Y or Z, can someone please come into help with me ?' would be an immense help, both for the one who needs help, and the others in the room

[StandFree1903]

Mike, for one to go into help i think it would be normal for a brain to engage that that person needs help, hense going into the help room.

Remember I TRIED to raise awareness one night that I was in a bad way and I was BLATANTLY ignored.

I have and ALWAYS WILL maintain that there should be a separate room for general chit chat, I have only been in the chat room twice since that incident and at both times it was when there was only a few who would answer to me if I was in a crisis.

[Chem]

Standfree I think both you and Mike are right. Somwtimes when you're suffering, you want instant help without having to explain what's wrong to the whole chat room. However, as Mike says, people can require support with a problem that the people in chat at that time have no experience of. It's not easy to follow someone to chat then have to leave them and it certainly doesn't assist the person needing help. It's not a matter of being unthinking, or uncaring.

I'm sorry you had a bad experience, but being rude to other members won't help you find people who will support you. Please let's remain friendly.