"I can't believe it. You just described my brother!" wrote "Rachel."

"I raised a boy like your 'Michael.' I get it. I so get it," wrote "Lynne."

But there were critics as well, including an equally passionate, equally viral blog by writer Sarah Kendzior, who accused Long of invading "Michael's" privacy with "vindictive and cruel posts about her children in which she fantasizes about beating them, locking them up and giving them away." In many of the posts, Kendzior notes, Long's "allegedly insane and violent son is portrayed as a normal boy who incites her wrath by being messy, buying too many Apple products and supporting Obama."

Kendzior did not respond to an email requesting comment, and by midafternoon it appeared the two bloggers had reached a truce. They posted a joint statement on both of their blogs: "Whatever disagreements we have had, we both believe that the stigma attached to mental illness needs to end. We need to provide affordable, quality mental health care for families. We need to provide support for families who have a relative who is struggling."

Both agreed that privacy is paramount for family members, especially children.

"Neither of us anticipated the viral response to our posts," the statement continued. "We are not interested in being part of a 'mommy war.' We are interested in opening a serious conversation on what can be done for families in need."

Long, who says she's "kind of an introvert," hasn't owned a television set since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. She didn't go looking for fame, but one viral blog post later, fame found her.

She began making the rounds at the television networks before dawn on Monday, appearing on NBC's "Today" show, then chatting with Diane Sawyer over at ABC and again with CNN's Erin Burnett. And then she put it all behind her, pleased that she was able to get the conversation started.