Social Media and Anxiety Discussion Challenge

First of all, I was tagged by Val at:  http://thescoopbymv.com/social-media-and-anxiety/

It's hard for me to talk about Anxiety, because like you I grew up with all of the stigma attached to it, but I'm gonna give it a shot.

1. Have you come out about your anxiety?

 Well not exactly...I mean it isn't a secret or anything, I just don't talk about it too much. Guess I am talking about it now though lol!

2. How does your anxiety ever impact how you interact on social media?

When I'm going through a rough patch, I pretty much disappear from social media except for maybe the occasional meme or funny pic I may find that makes me laugh.

3. Do you have to push yourself to reply back to people?

Not usually, but it is hard for me to talk to people I don't know well. Though when people message me on the FB page or comments on the blog I do make an attempt to reply with something witty, nice or funny. 

4. Is there anything that spurs you on to complete a goal?

My goals are usually selfish in nature, such as writing my first book: totally did it just so that dream would go away. Second book: just to prove to myself I had more than one book in me. (FYI, there's a whole ton of books inside me, I just haven't invented the telepathic keyboard yet). So if I have a goal, it's not generally something that will give me a panic attack, like a deadline. 

5. When your anxiety gets bad, how is your presence affected?

 It disappears. I hide out in the batcave or hang out with my animals until I feel I can people again.

6. When you finally come out of a bad period of anxiety do you feel you need to compensate with lots of material?

 Not necessarily. I mean like I said I will post funny pics or a meme, but I feel like I'm spamming people if I start posting like crazy.

7. What’s one of the worst experiences (you feel comfortable sharing) you’ve had with your blog/page because of anxiety?

Well, the blog pretty much went unmanned for nearly a year because I felt like I had nothing important to say.  I have to "maximum effort" for the Facebook page because it's hard enough to get/keep followers without having to start over from inactivity. I don't guess I have any "bad" experiences involving other humans, though (that's cause  y'all are awesomeness!) it's mostly my own head that gets me down.

8. Do you participate in book signings? If so, how do you handle them?

Not yet, but possibly in the future.

9. What sort of support system do you have in place, if any?

Hubby and kids can usually tell and either try to cheer me up or give me space to work through it on my own. I also call "The Bob" and bug her until I feel better. Making someone else laugh even though I don't at all feel like laughing also helps. There's also my peeps who live in FB land. I can message them and not have to "people" in the traditional sense. That helps a lot! There's also
Anxiety & I , a Facebook page where you can anonymously discuss your anxiety.

10. Is there any advice you wish you had before you started your page/blog?

Just do it! Just kidding, don't jump in until you are ready to have the responsibility/obligation to get your stuff going. Make sure you have an excellent support system in place (admins, etc...) because guess what: it's effing hard to do it all yourself!!

To conclude: I hope this post helps at least someone... I would love to hear from you about your experiences!

<3 ~SS~

The Discussion Challenge:
Here’s how to play. Once you’re tagged, write an article using the questions listed at the bottom. You can always expand as much as you’d like, but it isn’t a requirement. (Don’t forget to acknowledge the blog that you got the prompt from!) Under the article, tag a blogger or three to participate after you and make sure to include the questions at the bottom. Oh, and you can post it wherever you feel comfortable. This means your facebook/blog/tumblr/whatever else I’m forgetting.

If you want to start your own just make sure to come up with a handful of questions to help encourage a rounded out article. Don’t forget to include the rules as well. Also, and this isn’t required, you should totally tag me on FACEBOOK or TWITTER so I can participate with yours.


The Questions:
1. Have you come out about your anxiety?
2. How does your anxiety ever impact how you interact on social media?
3. Do you have to push yourself to reply back to people?
4. Is there anything that spurs you on to complete a goal?
5. When your anxiety gets bad, how is your presence affected?
6. When you finally come out of a bad period of anxiety do you feel you need to compensate with lots of material?
7. What’s one of the worst experiences (you feel comfortable sharing) you’ve had with your blog/page because of anxiety?
8. Do you participate in book signings? If so, how do you handle them?
9. What sort of support system do you have in place, if any?
10. Is there any advice you wish you had before you started your page/blog?