Is ABBAchat the appropriate forum for me ?

Well, Eddie, I love that you're a part of the forum. Your comments and personal views are no less valid than anyone else's. We won't always agree with other posters but that's what keeps discussion going. Sometimes, people might express things clumsily or insensitively or even rudely or aggressively. Sometimes that's a one-off (they could be having a bad day), sometimes it's just that they're grumpy gits who could use ten minutes on a bouncy castle. I've learned to avoid those who rub me up the wrong way. If you find that any of us upsets you with how we express ourselves, learn to skip our posts or block us. If you recognise that a certain member's posts tend to trigger your discomfort, they could be the ones to avoid. None of us will take it personally - and, as far as I know, they/we probably wouldn't even know if you blocked us! So do what's right for you.

There's no elite circle, no clique, no them-and-us. None of us is more or less important than the other. We're here for a love for/admiration of ABBA (and possibly their individual projects). I suspect that, in the real world, few of us would have enough in common to sustain the kinds of friendships that people have "in real life." I think that those of us who seem to "know" each other probably just have similar opinions, likes/dislikes when it comes to ABBA.

The bottom line is that you prioritise your wellbeing over everything else. I think it's actually very generous of you to discuss your issues like this: you never know who else is going through similar difficulties and I suspect that there might be some who feel a little less alone knowing that there's another fan who has times like these. You could be a beacon for someone else.

I know you don't want to "go down the same road" again but don't be hard on yourself if that happens. It's only a discussion forum. You're not letting anyone down. Do what you need to do to feel well and safe and, ideally, happy. I don't think anyone would mind if you were to say "actually folks, I need to check out for a few days because I'm not in a great place."

I'm happy you're back. Stay as long as you feel safe and happy. That's the most important thing.

Tony has covered it well for me, too, Eddie.

Such an interesting and thoughtful post from you, Eddie.

I really appreciate your honesty and courage to mention your depression and anxiety with, essentially, 'non-friends', as you say. But we've all experienced it, either directly ourselves, to a greater or lesser extent, or with a family member or friend. That's why I now feel a bit guilty about my post in the Voyage General Discussion thread, just after you left, mentioning my sister and asking, like the medics did about her, about your level of insight into your depression and anxiety. I apologise: that was impertinent. Of course you're insightful.

I've occasionally wondered about the point of being a member of a forum such as this, devoted, as it was before Voyage, to an old pop group who hadn't been active for 40 years! And with lots of posts which, frankly, could be pasted back into an old, defunct, ABBA forum and, minus the dates, would have seemed current then! But that's the nature of any forum, I now appreciate: short of totally original genius insights and ideas, everything gets discussed over again - but with constantly renewed interest. That's the point.

So if you have a time when you feel the need to move away from the forum for a bit, don't delete your account, and come back to it when ready. 😉

@genius , Eddie, it was very brave of you to submit such a personal post. I think none of us can actually understand what it must feel like to suffer from such severe depressions. I deal with patients with depressions on a daily basis, I even went through an episode of mild depression in my early twenties myself but still it's hard to comprehend how bad it can actually be. I suspect I was not much help here either - I mean, seeing how sensitive you sometimes are to different opinions, I must admit I often tried to avoid replying to your posts, literally tiptoeing around them, only to find out I'm probably hurting you even more by making you feeling excluded and isolated. I'm sorry for that!

My advice would be (if I'm entitled to give any) you don't take this (or any other) forum or social network too seriously. It's superficial and impersonal and sometimes even evil and I think that's why some people actually seek such communication. So enjoy it for what it is and don't expect what it cannot give you. Real-life friends are so much better than any of us here can ever be

Eddie.. there's nothing I can say that those above haven't already said. It nearly impossible to understand what others feel, so well done in opening up to us and it may be that first small step forward for you.
Thankfully I cant really think of anyone on here that's "bad " for us, yes we all have different thoughts and there are levels of devotion/like of ABBA.
For me, I cant imagine life without them , saying that, I couldn't really tell you when their birthdays are for example, ( I only posted the Benny birthday wishes as I can across it by accident..lol ) I don't go into great depth on breaking down the nuances of each track.. I either like or not or somewhere in between, ... Id say I'm on a basic level really. Also I've been a sensitive soul all my life, and tend to take things to heart to much, a wrong word or misconstrued can change my mood in an instant and nothing was really meant by those words....I fight hard to bring myself back....

Still we are different and on here we can be with like minded souls...

Enjoy and carry on posting .. even if you say your favourite track is "I Saw It In The Mirror"...lol your bound to get a reply..

genius - I'm so sorry - I have only just read your post. I agree with all the replies, couldn't put anything better myself! Please don't delete your account, as said above, just pop in and out when you feel like it. I've always found your views/posts interesting and as valid and important as anyone else's. I only have one friend who is interested in talking about ABBA with me! so I find this site a god send and you are very much an important part of that. You have done wonderfully well, finding comfort in various activities like walking, gardening etc, you have been really strong to have been able to help yourself like that. As you say, try to stay positive. I know I do not know you personally, but I feel proud of you and how far you have come, particularly as this past couple of years has been an added pressure. Please keep posting!!

Thank you too genius, I look forward to seeing your future views/comments. This site is the only site I belong to and I like catching up with others regarding ABBA news, both past and now, amazingly, present! I feel incredibly lucky to be witnessing all this fantastic music from ABBA and having people to share it with that are just as excited as me! Take care.