"Therapy and Meds"

I'm asking this question in particular to monkeyflower, but obviously anyone else will feel free to chime in.  My question or concern has to do with the fact about the statement I've seen some people will give a response to the effect of "therapy and meds".  Without much further blabbing, which I'm pretty good at heh...

why is it okay to do some sort of pseudo-diagnosis of mental illness on here despite the persistence that diagnosis of anything shouldn't be made here?  

I could understand making the recommendation along the lines of "you're coming off as someone who may have a mental disorder/complex/illness, so consider getting an evaluation by a therapist".  It's also slightly troubling as in the US we're at an all time high of people being prescribed psychiatric medications.  

I figure some will probably want to fire back by looking at my questions, and while I am most likely guilty of asking for diagnosis, I am in fact probably one of the few posters on here who are asking questions and is seeking therapy via a clinical psychologist.  I hope not to get any medications as prescribed (both pain and mental) and illegal drug addictions/dependencies run *VERY* high in my family.

NOTE:  I understand people here who are answering questions mean well as no one is being paid for this.  I also believe those who recommend therapy and meds are saying that out of concern and not contempt.  I'm asking this because I'm curious.

[OCguy]

I'm not backing down from my question, but I do apologize for only mentioning monkeyflower.  I know others have said it as well, but I didn't want to make the potential mistake of pointing out someone who didn't say it.

[Jaguar83]

And what does this have to do with HIV?

[OCguy]

I'm going to assume you're seriously asking a question and not making a statement.  It is a totally fair question, and I hope after answering this you won't question the questioner on this.  I hope we can call deal on that.

Anyway, I'll break the answer into two pieces:

1.  It's applicable since this quote (or something similar to) "therapy and meds" has been used as a response multiple times.  In fact, I see in a thread on this page the quote has been used.  We can split hairs on this and argue about seeing the frequency of other things on this forum, but I'm specifically asking about this and would ask if you want to discuss the frequency of other things to post that in a new thread.

2.  I see this "therapy and meds" comment as a pseudo diagnosis and prescription.  Again, we can split hairs and say that this quote is being taken out of context, but if that's the case, my question is even more valid as I'd like to get a better understanding of why it was said.

My question is a question and not meant to be interpreted as a statement and I'm hoping you won't reply back with a question or disagreement, but instead perhaps some insight to answer my question.  You're a good guy from what I've read on these forums and I hope we can maintain some level of understanding if not respect.

[OCguy]

Oh, and one other thing to answer your question.

3.  As I said above in #2 and in my actual question, I see some pseudo diagnosis for mental issues despite people not giving diagnosis for ARS/HIV.  I'm not implying people to diagnose online for ARS/HIV, as that would be totally premature and ill-informed to do so.  I am asking why is it okay to diagnose mental disorders on here?  Please keep in mind I do understand people recommending psychological/psychiatric evaluation.

[freak_2007]

You actually have a very valid question. People do tend to offer diagnosis of mental illness and psychiatric evaluation to people who come here for some sort of reassurance about the fears they are having. In my opinion it is because all those who are out of the HIV scare now feel very confident that they have acquired all the knowledge there is and they believe they have now "graduated" to the level of advisor from that of a worried well. While playing the role of an advisor, they tend to get carried away by miniscule respect that entails and start acting in a condescending manner. it is not uncommon to see people scared shitless about their non-existent exposures trying to judge the mental state of a fellow WW and referring them to psychiatric evaluation. Talk about irony.

I understand there are people here like teak, peeekawho or monkeflower who have a great deal of knowledge about HIV and the whole package and i guess we can't complain when they do the same. They probably do it because they get annoyed by so many obsessively repetetive "what if" and "no but" questions.

Jaguar....no offence intended but OCguy's post has the same relevance to this board as the informal chatting sessions that are going on in this forum leading to useless discussions that run to 60-70 posts in a thread (probably more relevant)

[Teak]

Telling someone to seek professional mental help is not a diagnosis. It's an advisement because of the repeated concerns of a non risk issue, it shows that they need help with dealing with those issues that can't be helped or dealt with over the internet. It will then be up to the mental health profession to diagnose them.

[Jaguar83]

And what does this have to do with HIV?

[OCguy]

See my comment above

"I'm going to assume you're seriously asking a question and not making a statement.  It is a totally fair question, and I hope after answering this you won't question the questioner on this.  I hope we can call deal on that."

Also see freak_2007's message to you 3 posts above in this thread.

Are you going to post this "And what does this have to do with HIV?" question in all the threads that have no relevance to HIV risk assessment?

[OCguy]

And just to be more clear, I was saying the first time you asked the question was totally fair.

[OCguy]

Thanks for your comments.  I understand your point and intent, but when someone says "Therapy and MEDS" (unfortunately no bold here, so I had to resort to caps) it seems like the diagnosis and prescription is already made.

[Jaguar83]

Yes...unless I start them with farfromperfect or bigdummy.

[OCguy]

I already posted in a previous thread that OC stands for Orange County. Please refrain from the personal attacks.  Thanks.

[Jaguar83]

Relax, man. You and Nerviouskid...such buzzkills.

[OCguy]

Unlike Teak and freak_2007, you haven't provided anything to answer my question.  Calling people out as buzzkills shows you're on here for nothing more than entertainment.

[Jaguar83]

Jeez, man, we're all going through the same sh!t; I'm joking because it eases my nervousness. Bigdummy is fantastic at it. You have trouble brushing this off your shoulders. No one diagnosed meds for anything. When I have posted "you're nuts" or the like, I'm simply stating that you are stressing over a non-issue. People say 'you're nuts' or 'see a shrink' all the time. THIS IS NOT A DIAGNOSIS. However, in your case, you are a d!ckhead, plan and simple. The real question is...why the heIl do you care so much

[OCguy]

And I'm talking about your actions on this thread.  I don't read all the threads on here, but I do know you try to answer other people's questions and concerns.  It's because of that I was hoping for some sort of mutual understanding at the very least.

[OCguy]

Plain and simply, I asked a question which wasn't directed to you.  So far you have done nothing other than:

1.  Ask questions rather than give an answer to the only question I've asked on this thread.
2.  Call people names to make yourself feel better.  

Now if no one else wants to answer the question I asked, fair enough, and let's let this thread die.  We don't want to be buzzkills, right?

[Jaguar83]

your question was answered, quit your whining.

[OCguy]

No whining on my end.  Unfortunately it does seem like monkeyflower won't be answering my question, so the thread didn't end as hoped for.  =(

[Jaguar83]

Ya, she seems to be ignoring it...

[OCguy]

Oh well.  As they say "too bad, so sad".  

[monkeyflower]

Sorry, I got a 'real' job so I'm not around during the day.

Teak is right. Therapy and meds is my shorthand for "go see a therapist, and ask your doctor if meds might be in order." If I were diagnosing you (which, in my opinion, cannot possibly be done online, let alone from a couple of paragraphs here and there), I would have been specific. You need to see the therapist and your doctor for a diagnosis. This is just a recommendation for mental health evaluation.

I also wanted to comment on meds. It's awesome that you're trying to do this on your own, but sometimes you just need them--and studies have shown that the combination of meds and therapy is usually more effective than either one alone. So if your therapist or doctor suggest meds, give it serious thought. They wouldn't suggest it if they didn't think it would help :-) Mental illness is no different from any other illness--would you refuse insulin if you were diabetic? There are lots of non-addictive alternatives, if that's your only concern...

Is that what you were wondering?

[OCguy]

No problem.  I have a real job too, so I understand.  I think though the big difference is that you probably don't need to be tied to the computer the entire time.  =P

I understand your point of view now, and it's a lot more clear so thanks for taking the time to explain.  As for your comment on the meds, the doctor has not prescribed anything yet.  I do not want to make a lifetime dependency on those nor on the therapy itself.  I want to learn how to manage it, and the psychologist agrees that's a great goal she'll help me work on.