Facebook

Facebook's Psychiatrists Chair


Recently, I have noticed a strange albeit positive evolution on the social networking website, Facebook. Initially, I was skeptical of the revolutionary ability to connect with friends and people who share the same interest. Overtime, I have noticed it consumes my time and attention with no regard for who is in front of me. I am constantly checking my phone or laptop for updates in order to respond to as many people as possible. While I acknowledge that it may be a waist of time, I wanted to find anything positive in it. The only rational conclusion I could draw is the ability to locate lost friends. Since becoming a member in 2007, I have found old Army buddies, high school sweethearts, and childhood friends/ relatives who have moved away. I have also managed to make people angry with my statements, and tried to correct them. Character flaws are at the forefront of my consciousness before I post a religious or political statement.

Then, I noticed that people would request me as a friend only to express how they feel as a person. Ironically, I have always been considered insightful, and vain in the same breath. I remember reading my high school yearbook signatures, and an overwhelming amount of opening statements being "At first I really didn't like you but..." I have been criticized by several people for "displaying my business for everyone to see." I have even lost career opportunities because my potential employer read my facebook info. I am controversial, loud, and animated when I talk, but gracefully truthful. I have no problem correcting myself and learning from others. Since childhood, I have always told everyone what is going on in my life whether positive or negative. I like people to see the problems I'm going through and watch me hurdle them. I even enjoy a nice fall in disgrace, it is what builds my character. I hope people can learn from my trivial problems; what to do OR not do. I hold no secrets. If you have not heard something about me it is because I have not told you personally, but rest assured I have told several others. My policy in life is to disclose everything. If I tell you what has happened in my life, how can an enemy use it against me without the element of surprise?

With that being said, I have found that many have followed suit. I asked myself why and it seems simple, everything with intake needs exhaust. Peoples feelings are input by something in their lives, if you let an emotion settle in your body it will eat you up from the inside out. Like acid, it will burn through until free. That is a beautiful thing about emotions. Whether it is love or hate it needs to be expressed or exhausted. I have a dear friend that rarely talks, he is self-kept, and doesnt like to express himself. Recently, I have noticed the set backs in his life, and his inability to deal with them. He strikes me as someone who would walk into a bank and shoot every innocent person until his pain went away. The inability to cope could destroy his health, and even his sanity. This is not speculation, recent studies conclude that a humans premature demise can be attributed to stress.
Here are a few not so fun facts:
An estimated 1 million workers are absent from work on an average workday because of stress related issues.

• 43% of all adults suffer adverse health effects due to stress.

• Stress has been linked to all the leading causes of death, including heart disease, cancer, accidents, lung ailments, infertility, and even suicide.

• 70-90% of all visits to primary care physicians are for stress-related issues.

He is not alone, overtime I have noticed other posts that are not so positive but a cry for help. When I see friends posts that indicate sadness, I listen. I have had counseling when I was younger, and went into it with a positive attitude. Most people do not know a psychiatrists job is to listen and let the patient draw there own conclusions. I came out of it a much better person, and it has impacted my life like nothing else. Talking to anyone who will listen is a great tool to keep us sane. Taking ANYONES advice is quite the opposite. You are the master of your domain, you create your own path, because no one can walk it with you... not even if we wanted to. This social network has become a virtual psychiatrists chair. It has offered people like my friends a chance to express themselves to all their friends, without opening their bashful mouths. That is positive, and people can relate to problems because we all have them. Their cry for help is just another assurance that they are not alone. They are NOT alone; pain is a part of life, but suffering is an option. They have taken the first step that most people miss and choose not to suffer. Congrats my friends, you are a better person, and you have my attention.

Time's up.