Last night I was sitting in the chat here. Things became rather heated and then it turned into what appeared to be personal attacks. They were directed both at me and at several people that I trust and consider friends here.

After reviewing my responses, and anger today, in my mind; I realized that the personal attack against me didn't seem to bother me as much as the attack against the other people in chat did. I was perfectly willing to show up and defend the other people that were being hurt, regardless of how much doing so might hurt me.

I'm wondering if this might be either a hold over or a symptom of my abuse coming out to play. Before I was hurt, I was taught that at 500 feet deep, one person can sink the boat so you help each other out. After I was hurt, I isolated so hard I couldn't let anyone in that close. This is the first place that I have gotten to know people and trust them to the point that I care.

I am looking for any input that anyone might have. Maybe even to tell me that I'm way off base.

Thanks,
Brian

I would actually think that regaining empathy and support for others is a sign of personal progress, especially combined with what you said about how the affront didn't bother you as much as the effect that it might have had on other people did.

I made a long response to JustScott today on this forum which I hope that you take a look at. It is about working away from isolating.

JustScott's topic is "Fear of being alone/isolated".

Mark

Sorry to hear that; my first decision regarding any kind of conflict on the site, whether posts or chat, is to remove myself from the situation, and if need be let the mods know where i stand. If somebody's obviously way out of line, i assume that it will be obvious to any impartial observer, and i prefer to let mods handle it.