My experience is ive made a few good friends with similar issues who genuinely understand what its like to go through what my mind leads me to. Most people i have irl dont know what its like to have disordered thoughts and dont understand its not necessarily a choice and just attack you. people on disordered forums/sides of social media are less likely to attack you or shut you down for having mental illness and will generously give you a lending ear or advice on what you need. ive never met someone who actively tries to make you worse, only people who know they cant help you since theyre also sick and just provide you a sense of community. all i crave is to be understood, i dont want to be something people are scared of anymore.
yeah i agree the community aspect is nice, and its great to be around people who understand. i personally had to leave the social media parts of it though because its too open to harassment, predators and idk there was alot of younger ppl and im not judging cause i was those younger ppl tho but yea, and then drama and social media stuff gets blended in and it got stressful, i like places w good moderation. but there are many lovely people who will listen or sometimes give good advice if u need like how to take care of a woung or someth and its nice to just be yourself there, despite the bad. but ye always try to be safe cause theres tons of weirdos and its good to be somewhere that actively pushes against bullying and malice.
