Is Psych Forums Unfairly biased?

Herman wrote:Open mind,

I agree, forums do need moderators but mods here all have pro psych/drug views, which in turn influences, what is deemed an acceptable perspective on mental illness. If all they did were ensure rules were adhered to there would be no problem.

Not all of them. I'm the mod for this particular forum, and although I think certain avenues of therapy have proven beneficial to people, I am not for a lot of the abuses and negligence I have seen in the system. At the very least, medication is often over-prescribed, and the potential negative effects of the drugs are often under-explored.

I am hardly offended by the idea that some people are against psychology, however, I am also not offended by the concept that there are pro psych people out there. Some will be interested in communication, some will not. It's my job to make sure that the fight doesn't get dirty.

I hope you enjoy the forum.

seanetal wrote:Guest,

The question is not about whether the people posting are pro-drug or pro-psych. The question is about the owner of the site - in other words me.

I re-read page 1 post 1 of this thread. Where does it state you alone are pro drug/psych? This poll doesn't make much sense?

The moderators here are not PRO anything.


Alot of people benefit from both therapy and medications.

Others perfer the natural route to their problems, which is completely fine. I don't know where you got that from just because the mods decide to post in this forum...

sadgurl wrote:The moderators here are not PRO anything.


Alot of people benefit from both therapy and medications.

Others perfer the natural route to their problems, which is completely fine. I don't know where you got that from just because the mods decide to post in this forum...

Many mental health self help support groups are funded by drug companies. These groups promote the psychiatric medication industries line that medication cures all. Psych Forums certainly fits this description.

I have read many posts where mods, and particularly you argue the pro drug & pro psych platitude trying to convince people to go down this path of drugs and psychiatrists.

This is why I make these assertions that mods here are PRO!

This thread is called "Is Psych Forums unfairly biased". I am just using my knowledge of organisational behavior to analyse this organisations culture and answer this question. Everything clearly points to a biased pro drug & pro psych forum. To change this culture, psych forums needs reform such as removing the source of this culture, 'the mods'. Also severing all ties with drug companies, such as advertising dollars would help reduce this obvious bias.

I am also confident no measures will be put in place to correct this obvious bias.

Uhh no herman I am not doing that what so ever.


I say what has helped me, I can give my opinion what could possibly help someone else, I've never suggest they get on medication, if you don't have to then don't do it.

If you feel that you can get by and deal with $#%^ on your own without the help of a professional, then by all means do it.

NO ONE has said do this and that, because THAT's THE WAY etc.

Your way off on that my dear friend, but whatever opinon you want to have on the mods and psychforums the have it, if you do not like the way this place is run, or how people post then leave... simple as that.

But I'm not going to argue this point anymore... think what you want, doesn't matter to anyone here... or effects people, again we all have our own opinons, yours is obviously anti-psych which is fine because this is the anti-psych forum.

I am also confident no measures will be put in place to correct this obvious bias.

I agree with you on this point.
But don't assume that we are pro meds etc when we are not.

I know that alot of people felt attacked by your post, that you singled us out, which is not right.

Anyways- I guess that is it.
I'm done with this thread unless something more needs to be said.



Post away.

As for the advertising on this site and other sites, sometimes forums have to have stuff like that, it can't be helped. it doesn't mean that they are saying they have to do it, if it the owner etc could not have those kinds of advertising he wouldn't have it up, but it's not by choice.

That's something to discuss with him about.
He did not put up the advertizing for medication and therapy Herman.

I wasn't even going to get into this thread, as I knew it would spark anger with members and moderators.

But do not attack the mods saying that we are pro this and pro that when it is not the case.

Sadgurl,

First of all I am not attacking anybody, if you cannot handle objective criticism of this forum, that's not my problem. You seem to have taken the line that my analysis of Psych Forums culture is an attack and you are threatened by it. Don't be!

I see the owner of this site Sean has taken the admirable position of requesting the Moderators do not vote. It is clear from this statement the owner knows the culture of Psych Forums and his Moderators very well. He obviously knows his Mods will support him and vote on the side of Psych Forums is not biased. This is what I am saying, this is the culture of this organisation; it is suffering from groupthink. Do you now understand?

You are accusing me of being subjective when I am being objective!

I won’t respond to your post, as the majority of it is irrelevant to the topic at hand.

That's what I can't stand about the internet, things can be taken the wrong way, as Herman from what I got from your postings, I read and took it the way that it sounded.

You obviously meant it completely different and for that I will apologize for jumping down your neck.... Just the way that you worded some things it did sound like you were attacking the mods.

But I do understand your point.

I think there is a very easy solution to this. My understanding is that the problem was caused by confusion when moderators posted their personal views while has their "moderator's badge" on. Some readers might think that these posts represent views of Psych Forum.

Therefore, I suggest that all moderators turn their "mods badge" OFF when posting as an individual poster. They only show their badges when they do mods duty (for example, to reminder some posters follow the rules…). In this way, they can freely express their personal views in their posts (no matter pro-psych, pro-drug, or anti-psych), and readers will treat them as normal posters, not the Psych Forums

I hope this helps.

Herman,

Would you be willing to pay to use Psych Forums?

If the answer is no, and I expect it is, then you and the others that use the forums will have to put up with the ads that are on the site. My own beliefs are that every treatment method that is useful to any person should be explored. This includes everything from medication to therapy to nutritional supplements to exercise and diet alone.

In my personal experience Zoloft was effective in helping reduce my symptoms of depression and Klonopin reduced my anxiety. That said what helped me the most was changing my diet and following Dr. Andrew Weil's 8-Weeks to Optimum Health.

I have basically given up on defending my position to the zealots on both sides of this issue and have only this to say to everyone on the forums.

If you don't like how the forums are run then leave.

Sean,

The advertising on this site is only one of the issues that contribute to Psych Forums Pro Psychiatry, Pharmacology and Medical Model cultural bias. This cultural bias here is being cultivated predominately by the moderators. I suggest you monitor your moderators posts and ensure their provide a more balanced approach when giving advise. Some training maybe beneficial, such as alternatives to Psychiatry and Psychiatric drugs in view to curb their pro drug & pro psych views. Without some measures put in place I cannot see Psych Forums ever achieving a balanced and inclusive environment for people to discuss the issues.

Sean, I will take your advice and leave, this Forum is far too biased for me. I would very much like to vote on the above poll, however I am reluctant to give my email details in the registration process, as I do not want Psych drug spam filling my email. Can I ask that you add my vote of “I agree with statement A & B.”? Thank you

Herman.