[pachyderm]

Might be triggering; I don't know.

"...online forums can also serve as examples of the opposite process, an arguably equally unhealthy state of blind, mutual agreement..."

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/...hotic-websites

[Travelinglady]

When my husband told his therapist that he was involved in a web site (not this one, by the way), his therapist cautioned him not to become one of those people who think that they can get their therapy from such sites and don't need to see professionals. I do try to encourage the forum users to seek professional help, if I think they need it--and remind them that I (at least) am not a mental-health professional. I strongly believe we should stand together on this premise. I am pleased to see that some other members are doing so. We ARE somewhat the blind leading the blind....

[Rhiannonsmoon]

It is really very important for people not to try to use sites like PC as therapy. As I've been told we are first and foremost a support site not a therapy site. And this is very true. It is support and not therapy that is offered here.

People need to have one on one therapy even if it is a phone appointment (ideal for someone who has agoraphobia), trying to replace it with free online treatment is going to cause more damage than doing nothing at all.

I've noticed new members who make obvious pleas for therapy and there are some people who answer these pleas and I often see the "I've Pm'd you" post. Simply having a good ear is not good enough. One needs to know to mind processes of the type they are "listening & talking to" which requires a diagnosis, something else which is not done at PC.

Online forums are great for the support they can offer, but the best philosophical minds in the world are not psychiatric or psychologically trained. And when it comes down to it, that is what counts in order to follow the thought patterns of someone with mental illness, whatever mental illness it may be and there are so many now that it is no longer a simple process of saying "Jane has X and it HAS to be treated THIS way.

[Princess_Obsidian]

Greetings,

If someone is going through psychosis, being online is the last thing I would recommend. Unless it is a crisis hotline-type of thing, though, even then, visiting the nearest emergency room would be a better option. In my personal opinion, of course.

Have a good one.

[Perna]

Interesting:

"As part of the study, three independent psychiatrists were asked to evaluate 10 online mind-control accounts identified through a simple Google search. Their task was (a) to determine whether the poster was psychotic based on his writing and (b) to analyze the hyperlinks within each post to look for evidence of social organization among posters and visitors.The three psychiatrists were in high agreement that "signs of psychosis are strongly present" in the 10 accounts, indicating that posters were very likely to be schizophrenic. (Because the psychiatrists were blind to each other's assessments and to the purpose of the study, no "groupthink" process can be blamed for their consensus!) "

What about the fact they were all psychiatrists (so looking for mental illness) and they were "doing" what the psychotic people believed, following around those people secretly.

[thunderbear]

When I told my pdoc about PC he asked alot of questions about it. And then told me it sounded like a really good place. He wanted me to print out some articles on here about CBT so he could walk me through them (I told him I did'nt understand alot of it). He seemed fine with me using a site as a self help tool.

[Travelinglady]

Definitely there is a place for such sites. I am glad I found this one. I am finding it a nice addition in my treatment toolbox. I think we're just concerned that some people only want to rely on a site like this.

[Onward2wards]

I agree with Payne, that sites like PC are a valuable tool in the toolbox. It can't replace professional help, medications or book knowledge, but it certainly has an important role. I have had significant insights about myself just by interacting with people here that therapy has not given me, and so I now have more information I can bring to professional counselors who can help me process it all with the skills and knowledge THEY have. I think of PC as a virtual group therapy environment, but the T has temporarily stepped outside and sooner or later needs to be consulted.

[Popskid]

As a thought question- How are these "psychotic" sites any different from pro-ana or pro-cutting websites? Although I had never seen a psychotic site before, it is no surprise to me that they exist.

A support site is different. To make an analogy is it like the difference between a group of alcoholics getting together for an AA meeting and a group of alcoholics getting together to go bar hopping. When I first started treatment my T encouraged me to look for online support as I had no friends and not much support from my family.

[madisgram]

mho, it's all the more sound reasoning to respond in the forums with care and caution. supporting each other-yes. relying on forums for our mental health well being, no. that's why there are professionals to help us irl. there's no way my disease of addiction or my bipolar could have been successfully treated online.

[pegasus]

Well, some of the 'blind' people on this website can see very, very well!