I think everyone has a story, they often don't share them though. AB is just a forum where people feel comfortable to tell their stories. Well... I have only told one story so far.

I have noticed this also! Perhaps we share more on AB than we would if we met someone face to face because there is some anonymity here. I also know that for me at least, I don't mind telling my story if I think it will help someone else either to get through a tough time and know that they aren't alone, or to not make the same mistakes I did. Also, I know that I have grown quite fond of some AB'ers knowing a little bit of their story because it makes them so human. I also feel that I am understood here too.

Yes. Everyone has a lot of pain in their past -- even those who seem perfectly normal and happy. In most cases, when the painful incidents occur, we withdraw and "hide in our shells"... it's the mind's attempt to protect us from further pain. But this withdrawal also causes a sense of isolation, a loss of "belonging". When people can share that pain, and they see that it's OK to do so (because many others have that kind of pain), their sense of isolation is diminished, and the sense of belonging is at least partially restored. That's part of what makes the 'bag addictive for us: a restored sense of shared community. Of course, there's also people who are not willing to participate in that kind of exchange, and instead lash out angrily whenever they encounter any sort of disagreement. They also have their pain, but express it in a way that pushes everyone away. Then there's the trolls. These are folks who were so angry in their previous lives that they got totally disconnected from reality and came back as tiny horned beasts. Even if you try to talk to them or be kind, they'll bite your mouse. Just leave them alone...

I too have spent a lot of time looking at some of the tougher questions, especially as i'm dealing with a lot at the moment. it's really helped me to read all your stories, maybe once i've got more of a grip on things i'll share my own. keep sharing people!! it's doing all of us some good!

Yes I do. I think it is becasue they are seeking out comfort and help from a pooled poulation of their peers. I hope people don't take some of the information/advice too seriosuly. I sometimes worry about that.

I think it is because most people in general have suffered something tragic in their lives. This site has a good sampling of the population so it makes since that we mirror it.

I think it is just a coincidence as everyone seems to experience some level of trauma in their lives at some point. And it could be that everyone on answerbag is healing from something.. or trying to heal. Good thing there is a lot of wonderful, understanding individuals here.

Maybe they feel they can be of help to others who have experienced similar or are seeking help from people who may have experienced the same traumas.

Perhaps, because this is the place to find answers. And for those who have found answers to share them.

We are all actually actors with intricate plot points and tenuous relationships in a protracted storyline like "Lost". We will all confront the parts of ourselves that most need healing or if we neglect this part of ourselves, AnswerBag will kill us.

All of us have some one or more sad parts in our life. There is no one who is 100 percent happy. The best way to relieve the pain is to talk it out. In normal life we keep the feelings with purself, which burn inside w/o a proper outlet. But AB provides that welcome outlet and makes our life that much happier. Kudos to AB!!!

I have not had any trauma to speak of. What's my excuse? From what I can see BoredasMustard and Firebrand have had the most tragedy piled on their plate of life and they are the most helpful ones to others. Interesting outcome.

I feel AB is a place you can vent and on the whole no one will make you feel as though you have to hide how you feel. Thanks for that, everyone.

I agree with the theory that everyone has suffered some sort of personal tragedy and with that not everyone has the money for therapy or the one on one support of family or friends so this may be their only way of reaching out

I'll be honest with. That's how I got here. I was looking for answers on how to deal with Jay's death one night when I had nobody to talk to. And I not only got some of the answers I needed but I made two really great friends that I otherwise would have never meet. That means you, PattiJo and ilovemybaby, you two are awesome. So I would have to that most of us do come here looking for help and support that we can't get anywhere else. Ans we stay because of the connections we make and to pay it forward on all the help we got.

As a Behavioral Consultant to national and international Peak Performers, including the likes of Olympic Gold Medalists, Performing Artists, NASA scientists, and high-end Corporate leaders, I can assure you literally everyone has not only gained a value here and there, but has lost someone or some thing in their lives. The universality of the human experience can be found in our common dilemmas, the very underlying humanity within our species. While some individual Life experiences appear to be magnified for some, if we were to take the contest of evaluating which was/is 'more' or 'less' out of the equation, each person may then carry with them an individual, fuller empathic understanding of the equality of what it is like to be human. In this, AB is not necessarily the only place that individuals gravitate toward, attempting to fulfill this 'needed' string, a thread of universal give-and-take quilting. We human beings are 'nesting' creatures by nature, usually seeking those others who resound with our own individual most inner states, whether that is for procreative, spiritual, social, creative processes or purposes. We literally and intuitively learn by our own life experiences and also by witnessing the behaviors and coping skills (or lack thereof) of others. Our process in never-ending in that -- having the ability of abstract thought, unique in our species -- allows us to advance ourselves (and others) by conscious thought, word and deed. While each of us in truly one-of-a-kind, our commonality IS the pattern.

Well it makes sense that people who have experienced a lot would be drawn to a question and answer site.

Its a great forum isnt it?

Everyone I know has suffered disappointment and trials throughout their lives. To me, AB is just a well represented cross section of society - and a bunch of people who know how to use their computer to try to help others out! I'm hooked - does it show? ;-)