Is it really a good thing to advertise what we take?

In profiles, etc... Just wondering? I seem to be a little hung up on this. It's as if we are defining ourselves in the worst possible light. Thanks for replies, am I the only one who feels this way? I hate the stigma that goes with this stupid "m" illness anyway, so advertising it just seems...not good, to me.

I totally agree.

Years ago I was on a small health forum that had the signature line like this forum does, and everyone listed absolutely ever thing they took like it was a badge of honor showing how sick they were. I don't see that it's anyone's business what a person takes, and I agree with you that it puts a person in the worst possible light.

agree too.

in fact- when someone asks me.. even in email or what ever.. what do you take, i always reply saying i'd rather not discuss it

just feel it's not really something you go round saying... oh i take this, i take that

What I take is not that important to show to others, but if people want to do that, it's their decision. But then again I have a hard time understanding putting a lot of anything in your siggy line. It can be a little repetitive... I respect if someone doesn't want to talk about their meds, but at the same time my choice is being open about that stuff on here. I don't mind questions. And I don't look down on people for being on more meds than me.

My understanding is that people post it so that others can see whether they take similar things and be able to discuss it with them. I don't feel compelled to add it to my posts, but it doesn't bother me when others do.

Best,
EJ

I find it weird myself. Signature is usually place to express yourself and often life-philosophy, be witty or profound. Something that somehow relates to them...

To plaster it with names of drugs makes it seem there is not much else to the person than the drugs they take.

I believe posting meds is extremely useful for helping people see what has been effective for others with similar issues, and I believe that is the reasoning behind the med "badge of honor" we see on other forums. When people talk about how they feel, it's nice looking at what's contributing condition wise and med wise. When I finally find the combo that helps me, I'm going to make sure to share the good news either in my status, signature, or profile. I want people to know that there are meds and med combos out there that can help.

And yes, I agree with Lucy about the "badge of honor" deal -- there's a lot of forums where people attempt to list as many conditions as they have possible (including non-psych ones), all the meds they've ever been on, and all the ones they are currently on. The extended condition list can get a little ridiculous IMO, such as listing "bipolar II, depression, hypomania, mania, anxiety, GAD, ADD, ADHD, difficulty concentrating, etc". There's no point in saying you have depression and mania when you already said you have manic-depression. Not to mention finding several ways to describe the same issue.

Interesting question, here. I would think it would be a matter of personal preference. If one would prefer not to, then I would think it fine. Even if it comes out in some other conversation or forum, etc.

I've never had a desire to list all my meds, although I've noticed that some people do. I've just assumed it serves some useful purpose for them. It could be handy to see what meds someone takes who has the same diagnosis as I do and occasionally I do look.

I have a couple of docs who insist I bring all the meds I take to each appoointment, and I come in hauling a big bag. Sigh. I'd like to one day win "the prize" for taking the fewest drugs!

Thanks, all. Very well-thought out answers. My biggest concern might be that there would be lurkers--predators-- (yes, here) who could take advantage of somebody here by sizing them up via their medications. Does that make any sense? I'm not judging people for doing it; I just want people to be safe and realize that these things do happen. And mental illness doesn't mean you have to trust people who seem to be like us.

That's a very good point.

People don't realize that there are computer programs that can trace every post a person has ever made online. I came across an article about this a few years ago where it talked about how employers are starting to use such things to check out potenial applicants. Some even expect you to give them your Facebook password so they can go through everything you've ever posted!!

A rule of thumb in posting is not to post what you wouldn't want published on the front page of a newspaper.

About listing conditions, we can list them here using the drop down thing, and I ran out of slots. That's exactly the opposite problem I guess, it's not believed you need more than are there... Makes me feel bah. So which thing do I eliminate? Once way back someone asked me what I've been diagnosed with and I said, and they told me No, I don't have all those issues, maybe just a tad of depression (really hurt because back then I was about as bad as I've ever been...). So I guess that can happen as well....

That's sort of sad, actually. You would think this site would be a safe space to admit and discuss things that we might not want to post elsewhere in the internet or talk about with anyone irl. I have posted things here I might have hangups about telling my best friend, let alone on a newspaper.

Also, perhaps it is caratartic to list what you have taken and what you suffer from. It's like an acknowledgement of what you've been through and what you struggle with everyday. I know it has helped to talk about my depression openly here.

I agree it's sad, but people need to realize that the internet is as anonymous as you think it is so don't post things that could get you in trouble.

This place is sort of meant to be quite anonymous though. You don't have to say your exact location and you mostly keep your name to yourself. It's not Facebook. If someone finds you, it basically must be that person stalking you or something, and they know you might go to a site like this.

I really think that it makes no difference if u say what u take or not. I think it's up to the person to make that decision. I think the positive of saying what u are on is that other people know and can maybe relate to u, ask u questions about it, etc. I personally wouldn't feel comfortable putting it as my signature, but I do have it on my bio.

If people want to post there meds ... why not. Yes people need to be careful online! My real first name is on every reply I make... I do not worry about someone on this site or someone trolling is going to find me.

I don't see it as a good idea or a bad one. I don't think it matters as far as privacy.
There is nobody stalking or preying on us here. That's either very paranoid or egotistical. Doesn't matter what meds you state that you take... not in terms of protecting your privacy. You're on a mental health support site
If you're worried someone will find out you're mentally ill then you're already screwed...

My stalker actually followed me around quite a bit. I seem to have lost her now. She knows way too much about me since she hacked someone's email in which I gave her some private data. I mean I can be careful enough not to use weak passwords, but I can't control that on the other side of my emails. I think indeed she has been on this site and given up, since we're too many people here.

I had a similiar experience and had to leave a former site. Glad you are safe now. With all due respect to George H, we generally need to respect the fact that there are people out there who can do do, do these things. It isn't being paranoid, it's being cautious. The internet isn't anything like the "real world".

When I first registered, I used my rather rare first name for usern
ame. Then I realized that this forum is indexed, which means that there is a theoretical possibility of posts coming up a results to search queries. That freaked me out so I asked for a funny username instead. Behind the funny name I can post about my sex life and such. If I had an inner censor that demanded that every post of mine be suitable for publication in a newspaper, I would not be posting at all.

In my experience with psychiatry I learned that I have to be very proactive. I am bipolar without symptoms and I currently have a 100-percent effective drug cocktail without bothersome side effects. Only Prozac was offered by p-doc. The rest I asked for. Knowing whhat other people take and asking them about their experiences has been extremely useful to me.

While I am asymptomatic and basically perfectly fine as far as my mi goes, I have an issue left over from leading a sedentary lifestyle in the past and from taking wrong psychiatric drugs: overweight. I have lost 12 lbs through diet and exercise but need to lose 35 lbs more, which is a major weight loss for which I would prefer to have a medication. I have learned of two options on this site; both bring about major weight loss in a lot of patients. I hope that at least one of them will do the trick for me. So I definitely use drug usage information from other people extensively.

This is how I feel, just my opinion: I don't really carewhat most of the people on this forum take. Generally, if I'm curious about what's helping someone med- wise, I emailthem or as others mentioned check their profile. If I'm seeking info regarding a med on its own I check this specific forum. One's meds do not have to be public in order for the benefits they offer to be presented to inquirers. When I see alot of personal details in a person's signature , my first thought is they're lacking in the boundaries dept. Then again we are on a mental health forum. I am a very private person who tends to be somewhat paranoid, which is the position I'm coming from.

People can do what they want to do but I don't feel like wearing it like a badge. I'm not the meds I take.

I am not - I can talk about my medications, my sexual partners, my whatever. That is what I am here for.

Cheers .

I seem to hold a middle ground here. I can talk about meds and I don't have a lot of secrets. At the same time I feel we have a very good profile page for more in depth things. If I was to advertise my meds I'd put it there. It can be used for everything, if you want to tell a little about yourself, your life, your hobbies, your favorite music and your medical history. It can be used for whatever you want like that. Which I think is nice.

For me a siggy line is more a personal thing. But that is just my take on it. I'm not too disturbed by people having a different take, but I would never. Yanno.