expert advice or just chat?

Just pondering, what is the therapeutic aspect of these forums, if we're mostly just chatting to people who may have similar mental issues?

Is there expertise needed to guide this? To get best results for all? Or is it just people chatting about each case/syndrome etc? What if that is less beneficial to people also?

Not saying it's wrong, but wanted to discuss the merits of an open forum without specialists or experts, in context of mental health.

Nobody here is allowed to act as professional or give advice contradicting that of the actual doctors/therapists. If someone tries, mod team makes sure they stop very quickly. Because either the poster is not a professional, and then their "advice" is useless, or they are, and then they should know what they are doing is unethical.

So basically we exchange our experiences. What I found very useful after my diagnosis was that I had no clue what was going on – my psychiatrist was just like "you have bipolar, any questions, no, ok bye". Things were happening to me that I didn't understand. I found this forum extremely helpful, warm and caring. No professional would have been able to give me most of the advice I received here, if only because psychiatrists (with exceptions of course...) don't actually know what the patients are going through. They have their research, their books, practical knowledge but ultimately they have no clue what mania, hallucinations, addiction FEEL like. People here know how it feels.

The mod team, including myself, are here to make sure the discussions are civil and the rules are being observed. We don't have any medical qualifications we could use here. I am sure there are more beneficial ways for people to interact, but this forum is what it is.

I hope this answers your questions!

Oliveira wrote:Nobody here is allowed to act as professional or give advice contradicting that of the actual doctors/therapists. If someone tries, mod team makes sure they stop very quickly. Because either the poster is not a professional, and then their "advice" is useless, or they are, and then they should know what they are doing is unethical.

So basically we exchange our experiences. What I found very useful after my diagnosis was that I had no clue what was going on – my psychiatrist was just like "you have bipolar, any questions, no, ok bye". Things were happening to me that I didn't understand. I found this forum extremely helpful, warm and caring. No professional would have been able to give me most of the advice I received here, if only because psychiatrists (with exceptions of course...) don't actually know what the patients are going through. They have their research, their books, practical knowledge but ultimately they have no clue what mania, hallucinations, addiction FEEL like. People here know how it feels.

The mod team, including myself, are here to make sure the discussions are civil and the rules are being observed. We don't have any medical qualifications we could use here. I am sure there are more beneficial ways for people to interact, but this forum is what it is.

I hope this answers your questions!

Thanks for that reply oliveira.

I agree about this forum can be supportive for sure - though some forums on here less so maybe (the more extreme ones, looking around )

It is good to chat to people who have similar problems - guess some of my issues are about the 'advice' side of things. My main problem is gambling behaviours, and I'd disagree with what you said above that people are not allowed to give advice - there are distinct lines of advice offered on the gambling forum, constantly and from very specific principles (almost 'laws') on there.

Oh I think I didn't express myself clearly. Advice along the lines of "go to GA", "see a therapist", "try rehab" is completely fine. It's "you should stop taking those meds", "I can help you with your problem, look at my website" or "you need to use this commercial service *cue in link*" that's not allowed.

Yes, I see your point, there is a distinction.

I still think the 'advice' is more than that on here though (is for gambling at least) - it's set around a set of principles, which from what I can guess is mostly from the GA/AA set of principles. e.g. abstinence, higher powers, no to controlled gambling as an alternative approach...etc

I agree with it from personal point of view. I'd have a problem with someone saying "this is the only way there is and you must follow it otherwise you are doooooomed" though. I'm a member of NA and for me personally it's been a godsend, but I wouldn't dare to say it's the only option for everybody else.

I think it might be a good idea to move this to GA forum with a "shadow" so both this and GA forums can read it and respond.

Yes, would be interesting to hear others' views, thanks.

Although, maybe would add that it could be relevent to other forums too.

My take is that one can read about the experiences of others and take from them some ideas if they feel they will be helpful. People that have lived an addiction have credibility. Chatting is helpful. I have read NO post here on which the author has represented himself/herself as an expert or gives "expert" advice. Yes, there are many suggestions that may or may not help folks, but are food for thought. A new way of looking at a problem could make all the difference in the world. Of course, the ones whose suggestions I really value are ones who have been GF free for many, many moons. People like NSR and Buster have written things that really resonated with me.
No preaching, just my take.

1wiserman wrote:My take is that one can read about the experiences of others and take from them some ideas if they feel they will be helpful. People that have lived an addiction have credibility. Chatting is helpful. I have read NO post here on which the author has represented himself/herself as an expert or gives "expert" advice. Yes, there are many suggestions that may or may not help folks, but are food for thought. A new way of looking at a problem could make all the difference in the world. Of course, the ones whose suggestions I really value are ones who have been GF free for many, many moons. People like NSR and Buster have written things that really resonated with me.
No preaching, just my take.

I get what you're saying, and agree in part. However, I'd say sometimes advice is a little 'stronger' on here at times. For example, if someone mentions the term 'controlled gambling'.....

I have read a tremendous amount of these posts and the only time I have seen "controlled gambling" mentioned is when someone say it is NOT a good idea or a way to deal with this addiction.

-- Fri Sep 02, 2016 12:12 pm --

One has to cut the folks posting a little slack. Perhaps on or two have degrees in psychiatry, but the most are simply folks with a gambling problem relating their experiences and looking for ideas that might help them cope with their problem. It is an imperfect world.