YES, when I first experienced panic/anxiety I would get on message boards to make sure I wasn't going insane. It helped me knowing others felt the same way. Could all of these people be going 'crazy' at once? Could we all be dying of whatever? Anyhow I know exactly what you mean about reading posts and becoming anxious. Some I read, others I skimmed, and some not at all.
I am laughing outloud because I can seee how bad my anxiety is. I do not want to read some of the posts because I am worried that it will give me more anxiety/fears and new places to focus my anxious energy. There was one recently that but my over the edge for a couple of days. (Will not tell you what it is in case you are like me...
;) I just have to laugh at myself and how ridiculous this anxiety is.
Ri