Are you generally happy with the Anxiety Zone forum?

[GreyGoose]

Just pondering some things lately...

I see people come and go here all time. Some post, some read and some just lurk around or register and never post anything. Some stick around for awhile and then ask that their account be closed causing me to think that something was said or done that offended them. I see days where very few people show up or post anything and days when the chat room is devoid of any human activity. Then there's the occasional debate and times when there are conflicts, times when I (or someone else) will post something and even with perhaps hundreds of members on in a given day, only 3-4 people might actually reply which makes me wonder if those people who didn't reply are shy, peeved or just lurking. I wonder why the chat room isn't as busy as it once was and why not as many people are posting like they once did. Somehow (and maybe its just my imagination) the forum doesn't seem as happy and light-hearted as it did 6 months ago but instead, has become more opinionated and debate-focused with various members taking "sides" and forming "divisions".

6 months ago, if I had posted about new features there would have been a half-dozen replies or more but now, there are none and while this really has nothing to do with not getting any replies on the new features, it does kind of make me think that this forum is slowing down a little bit and that maybe I need to be more aggressive about advertising it, spreading the word or perhaps even making some policy changes. Perhaps the rules are too strict. Perhaps they are not strict enough. Perhaps the debate forum was a mistake and is causing people to think of Anxiety Zone as a not-so-friendly place. To be honest, I'm not really sure what has happened here lately. Call it a gut feeling or call it intuition but something has changed around here in the last 6 months and it both befuddles and perplexes me.

If anyone here knows what's going on, please clue me in on it either via this thread or privately via PM so I can make some changes and get this forum back up to what it used to be again. I'd really be grateful for any help because so far, I just haven't been able to put my finger on it.

- Thanks so much, GreyGoose

[peanut]

Hey GreyGoose,
I have only been here for a few months, so I am unsure of what it was before, but right now I have to say I love it.  This forum has helped me out so much.
Do you think it could be slow bcause its summer....just a thought, I'm not on so much because I'm out and about.
I think the forum is great.....

[GreyGoose]

Hi and thanks Peanut

Well, it could be summer but I'm also always over-analyzing things and wondering if I've said or done something that has caused the forum to slow down or change in some way. I guess a lot of people going on summer vacation or summer camp could be a good possibility. I've just gotten myself into another one of my depression spells and being super-sensitive to what's going on here and whether people are happy in general because this is supposed to be a happy place

- Regards, GreyGoose

[ocdengineer]

I love it the way it is.  Also, the most people on-line ever was 147 on June 11, 2007.  That isn't too shabby.  I think the debate section keeps debates and arguments from breaking out in the regular sections which is a good thing.  Just my opinion.

Later,
OE

[basm101]

hi greygoose,

I think the site is great. I haven't been around for quite a while because I have been a lot better recently. I used to be here a lot because I was just starting meds and felt sick all day, but now I can live my life again. 

I still like to pop in and answer questions though and still like to have the site to come to when I have bad anxiety moments (like now, I am nervous as I am going to have a refresher driving lesson tomorrow after not having driven for 10 years).

Maybe people tend to feel a bit better in summer and so visit the site less then ?

[venustus]

Great forum with great people on-board.Its like a big happy family where people with anxiety can be heard and understood.
Regards,
Dimi.

[bcrazy]

Don't feel bad GreyGoose...I hardly ever get replies anymore either. I usually just type in how I'm feeling and see if anyone else has had that symptom.
It has def. changed around here...but I still visit!

[GreyGoose]

Don't feel bad GreyGoose...I hardly ever get replies anymore either. I usually just type in how I'm feeling and see if anyone else has had that symptom.
It has def. changed around here...but I still visit!

I agree. I'd just about give my eye teeth to know why it has changed and what can be done to actually reverse that change but I think I have some idea. Anyone care to tell me why you think Anxiety Zone may have changed and when you first began to notice that change (even privately)?. I'd sure be greatful

- Regards, GreyGoose

[sanderella]

Is change necessarily a bad thing? Has it changed for the worse? Change is a fact of life, nothing stays the same, things evolve and develop and with more people joining this is inevitable. If you have concrete evidence that people are unhappy that's a different matter, but it seems to me as if people are always saying how great the site is. If people are leaving, why not take that as a sign of success - people are no longer needing the support and are moving on?

[Lorraine]

I really like the site. The forum is very easy to navigate...and I've seen my share of poorly put together sites lol. I'm new and a bit hesitant to post because it seems that most people already know each other very fairly well and I'm butting in, but I'm pretty certain that's my anxiety and not reality. Obviously being new, I'm not aware of the changes you refer to but as has already been stated, change isn't always a bad thing. I run my own forum (PSP-related) and the posting is down there, as well. It happens every summer when it's nice out and people's kids are home all day.

There are a lot of helpful and extremely knowledgeable people here, and most of the time if I browse long enough I'll find the answer to any question I may have. Keep up the great work!

[miika]

I`m happy. I miss the chatting though. This place is awesome actually

[anxiousinfla]

GG
I'd like to comment via IM, however, I am unable to access any profiles??

[retrogurl88]

I love the boards!!! I find them to be very comforting and supportive.  Plus if I can offer any advice that will help someone out, then even better.