Reproduced from our "Chats" page. These rules apply to the time Dr. Grohol is hosting a Q&A in the chat room only.

• Please read the disclaimer and terms of use before participating in any of Dr. Grohol's online chats. (The lawyers made me do this!)
• Chats are informal and centered around general mental health and relationship questions. Dr. Grohol regrets he cannot make specific treatment recommendations for any problems presented, nor can he diagnose a problem online.
• Questions are answered in the order received. If the chat is busy, you are requested to limit yourself to 2 or 3 questions.
• If you find Dr. Grohol hasn't answered your question after about 10 or 15 minutes, please ask it again. Sometimes questions go by more quickly than he can see and respond to them (especially if the chat is busy).
• Since Dr. Grohol is not a medical doctor, he prefers not to answer questions about medications, but can refer you to the online reference guide to medications about common side effects, indications, etc.
• Always check with your own doctor or therapist before making any changes in your treatment regimen.
• Private messages to Dr. Grohol are strongly discouraged, since they take away from the public chat (which is the point of the chat in the first place!).

Thanks!