Seeing as my questions were not answered in this thread: thehttp://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=555643
I’m starting this one
I am seriously considering starting a thread on my experiences of mental illness and the ways of controlling psychotic thoughts/impulses that I use - should I bother? I am really keen on demystifying mental illness - ya know fighting ignorance and all - but there is a chance that someone my post about needing help. Would my thread be closed if that happens? personally I think the best way to deal with that eventuality would be to offer support and perhaps assist in the direction they need to look for medical help (It is amazing how few people are aware of what psychiatric services are available). Would “here is a list of crisis line numbers and a link to page of mental health services in your state” type of information pass?
I’m a bit unclear about what you’re trying to do - discuss mental illness? Talk about how you personally cope with mental illness? Give advice to others on mental illness? I’d be happy to talk about my experiences if you get a thread going and there’s sufficient interest.
Let me get with the rest of the staff and make sure we’re singing off the same page before we advise you. Thanks for asking in advance, it’s always best to do this if you have a question.
Everything you’ve stated above would be fine.
In fact, pointing someone with issues to places where they can get professional medical help would be not only a useful thing to do, it would be a kindness.
What we’re trying to guard against here is people giving medical advice or pushing quackery or telling people with real problems to suck it up and get over themselves, all of which we have had here in the past.
We also don’t want people taking such a thread and using it for impromptu therapy – it’s not meant to be a couch and you’re not running a therapy session.
Thanks again for asking in advance – please note that permission was asked for and granted n advance, that’s always the best way to go if you ever have any questions about the suitability of a topic here.
Hope it goes well, and thank you for wanting to share and help others.
I am really not seeing how the thread in this OP would be okay, but the thread discussing normal irrational thoughts is not. Could a mod or admin please explain the difference to me?
ETA: Nothing at all against you, madrabbitwoman - I think your proposed thread is a great idea. I’m just not understanding what seems to be an obvious double standard here.
I am depressed about a sudden death in my family, naturally expected, but would that fit into what you want to address?
The other thread was not just a general thread about discussing normal irrational thoughts. it was about how the OP was concerned about her own irrational thoughts that had been happening on a regular basis.
From the OP of this thread -
Again, I’m not seeing the difference.
I think the difference is an OP (possibly) in crisis, and an OP with a handle on things wanting to share. The OP in crisis needed to be directed to get real help, rather than intellectualizing what could be serious symptoms through a mesage board.
I see your point, even though I’ll never agree that was what was happening in the other thread. I think I’m going to have to chalk this one up to Doperland.
I don’t really see how I came across as being in ‘crisis’, but I guess it’s all up to interpretation.