Do you think mumsnet use has a negative or positive impact on your mental health / mental state?

[TemporaryUsername4]

I don’t know where else I’d ask some of the questions I ask here, especially parenting stuff when the kids have me stumped. I’ve learnt a lot by being here; the breadth of knowledge is incredible. And I think my world viewpoint has been exposed to things and ideas that it otherwise wouldn’t be. Positive things.

But I sometimes wonder if this place is bad for me overall. I can overlook how snippy and bitchy some posters can be, my fears are more about the sort of Mean World Syndrome exposure.

I take a break from time to time, but always come back (usually when I have a need to ask a question) and end up looking at all sorts of nonsense threads and watching people argue about the weirdest of things.

Good question. I think it depends what I'm posting about. There have been times when I've needed reassurance about things and I've gotten it. There are times I've needed some inspiration and guidance on how to improve me life (weight loss, changing careers etc) and people have been really helpful. I also really enjoy the simple 'what are you up to today' threads, for some reason I find them really comforting. I honestly think I'm less lonely because of MN. I hardly ever get a chance to see friends with work and family commitments so I come here to bitch, moan and sound off like I would with friends.

That said, it can be quite mean and there have been many occasions where it's made me feel a lot more upset than I already was. I was pretty vulnerable at the time and the 'tough love' and 'straight talking' that MN is famous for didn't really help. There do seem to be a number of posters here who just choose to be contrary and argue the toss over literally anything, thankfully they are in the minority though. My advice would be don't post about anything overly personal when you're already down and likely to take anything negative to heart. Because for every 10 nice replies you get there will always be one twattish one and that's the one that will probably stick.

probably negative, overall.

No, for me, I don't take it seriously. It's more a source of entertainment, a light distraction from my day. I would never post personal stuff or ask advice from strangers on serious issues. I also keep in mind most of it is made up, or if it is true, the story is extremely biased in the posters favour. As soon as I log out I don't give it a second thought.

No social media, forum boards, whatever you want to call it makes me feel down.

But I guess I am "lucky" because me and H chew the cud over life the universe and everything.

It's essential I have an IRL balance.

It's good to hear points of view I wouldn't regularly come across, not saying I agree with all, but I do have the capacity to change my opinions if presented with a more knowledgeable, different, more thought out comment or argument.

And some posters are extremely funny women so a lot of the time it's worth it for them.

It can make me feel inadequate because everyone on here seems to have 6 figure salaries and children getting all 9s.