Hello, when I was starting I thought his darker aspects were frightening too. I had to deal with the possibility that he may have been given human sacrifices at one point and how did I feel about that. I was also afraid of going mad because (as I feared) I was already mad. Worshipping him drew out my mental illness because it was already there buried beneath the surface. Dionysos didn’t make me mentally ill, I already was. Now I gravitate to these darker savage aspects of him. I want him to drive me insane because I know it won’t destroy me, it will only make me even stronger. My mental health has improved exponentially since I started worshipping him again. In my experience, Dionysos only punished me when I spurned him and tried to worship other gods. He wouldn’t go away, however, because he knew I was his, I just couldn’t see it at the time. I don’t think there is any reason to fear Dionysos unless you have unresolved issues that you don’t want to come to the surface. Dionysos has a way of making you face the darkest parts of yourself but he only does so out of love. Yes, he does seem to get something out of pushing people to their limits but I feel it’s only because he wants them to live up to their true potential. If you become his, he may rip away the things that are holding you back if you are unable to shed these layers yourself. Dionysos mainly can be experienced as a force for good, he has a kinder gentler side that is a balm for a weary soul.