I think it is down to each individual as to whether they feel the forum is supportive or oppressive.The intent of the majority of posters offering advice is supportive, but the advice may seem oppressive . What I mean by that is that many new people on here, either newly diagnosed or long termers, are seeing new advice for the first time probably. This is for both diet and management of their condition.The dietry advice given is based on personal experience, and often contradicts what people have been told by their HCP. So if you arrive here thinking you are doing the right thing by complying with the standard advice, but fail to achieve the standard targets, it can be motivational to find that other dietry advice exists, that it will differ somewhat from person to person but it is possible to achieve better control after all.
However, it can seem oppressive that the advice suggests changes are needed. Change is uncomfortable for many people. If they feel that changing the diet that they have followed since diagnosis is all too much to deal with, then they may make the decision to not take on board what is being said, not come back, and that is their choice to make . But hopefully, it's an informed choice
The same really applies to blood glucose - on one end of the spectrum the targets set by the NHS to achieve are quite high in comparison to those advocated by Bernstein ( as close to a non diabetics as possible ) but neither take in to account individuality. Where a person feels better on themselves, neither too high or too low, and feeling rubbish through hypos or hypers is minimised while still having quality of life. Lifestyle, physical abilities and economic factors all affect this . My personal preference is where I live my life best, higher than Bernstein's , but lower than the NHS targets .
At the end of the day, it's not competitive , it's finding a way to personally balance well being and hopefully minimising future complications and daily hurdles. Basically, it's the mindset of the reader ( which can change from hour to hour, let alone day to day
) that determines if the forum is oppressive or supportive
That's my take on it anyway
Signy