Why do people on YA always give diagnoses for mental disorders??
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I think it's because people see themselves in some of these questions and want to give their own personal experiences. They assume they are soothing the person's worries and directing them towards the proper medical channels. I am Bipolar I and I won't answer questions that call for me to make that assumption. I may respond to questions that are asked by another bipolar (not medication ones because we all react differently to meds and the severity of our disorder cannot be compared to another individual). I'll relate personal anecdotes about staying awake for 40 hours and how I combatted it or how to handle mood swings during stressful times like holidays. Almost always I'll say they should see their own psychiatrist for individual help.
Some people on this YA forum act like know-it-alls because they have a condition or had a few psychology classes and feel qualified to offer advice. I've been driving a car for 40 years, but that doesn't make me a mechanic. I would read carefully an answer from someone like elfaygobaca because she lists herself as a source and says she's an RN. I would be more inclined if she said she were a psychiatric nurse. A bit of a personal prejudice there because last year when I was in the ER I told the RN I was bipolar and she said there was no such thing and that people like me used it to excuse bad behavior. Sorry lady, but I was there for chest pain! You can see where some of my skepticism comes in.
Because people don't think before they act.
if someone is posting the question here, it implies that they know that they are not well, and are trying to figure out what their problem is "called"
while it seems stupid that we would give this advice, suppose you were unsure what your mental disorder was. Different people would suggest: OCD, paranoia, etc... and hopefully the person we respond to will look these up and figure out what best describes themselves.
I agree. They are only trying to help I am sure.
How is it unethical to give an informal opinion-NOT diagnosis-but opinion? Most of the answers I give are based on the signs and symptoms described by the questioner. What does early onset have to do with it? I would consider it unethical if a Dr was dispensing meds thru YA, but I don't think it's unethical to answer a question. I'm an RN, and 90% of my job IS teaching. I like to think I'm providing some peace of mind here.
They're hoping someone will really think they're a shrink, and send them a check!
Agree, it's major jumping to conclusions, and not very smart. I hope the people asking the questions realize this.
It amazes me when somebody says "Oh yeah, you're schizophrenic..."
People usually just give opinions and not diagnosis. A lot of people may experience same symptoms as the asker and may have some help or idea as to what is going on to them. Sometimes people are afraid to go to professionals and maybe want to get an idea of what may be going on.
I do not see where folks 'always' give diagnoses for mental disorders. Many of the answerer's' are just participating in the 'Answers' forum, and have you to judge their answers because, perhaps, you are a professional. Most folks are just trying to help out a fellow human with what information that they have. It is unethical for you to judge answers from 'answers' participants without knowing anything about them. Are they taking money out of your pocket, or something? hmmmm
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