[TinaL]

Hey all,
I recently seen a post that a T was giving advice on medication or something like that. Honestly, I got really uncomfortable. It felt like boundaries were being crossed. I am not sure why a T would come here or even say that they are a T? A little curiosity and a lot of paranoia. So now I am going to be careful what I post.

I'm not sure, is it safe in here?

Also: Not everyone who claims they are this or that is always honest. It is the internet.

[pegasus]

As far as I know Psych Central forums is for peer support. Doctors aren't allowed here? I could be wrong, though I do know there are a few good people here who may be professionals but they come for support on their own issues. If you are concerned that a member is proclaiming to be a therapist, PM one of the admin team. But yes I would say that these forums are very safe.

[kiki86]

i'm not sure what the problem is? is it that the person is a T? T's can be in therapy too and I think a lot of people would appreciate their insight. or is it that they were giving medical advice as a T, which a member might take more seriously if they believe it's coming from a professional? which i agree might be a bit more worrisome but it would depend on what they said exactly.

I'm confused. Are you saying someone on this board was claiming to be a T and giving out advice about meds on this board to people? I haven't seen that here I don't think, but of course people should always be careful about advice from people they don't know.

[WikidPissah]

There is a disclaimer at the bottom of the threads that reads:

The material on this site is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for medical advice,
diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified health care provider.
Always consult your doctor or mental health professional before trying anything you read here.

I think that it is perfectly safe if you are not substituting others opinions for that of your pdoc, doc, and/or T. It's peer support, not therapy.

[eskielover]

I always take everything off the internet as other's opinions & not "the thing I have to do"......as long as you hold to that philosophy, there is no reason you shouldn't be safe. There are people who are T's here for their own mental health issues & they do share some very valuable thoughts......but it's important to ALWAYS ANALYZE the answer as it applies to yourself & to your real situation & you will be just fine.

I've been here for 8 years & the support has been valuable even for the trauma I went through a month after I started coming here. I always look at the support more for being a support group rather than getting the actual treatment care I need.....that's reserved for the professionals that I work with. If it correlates....then it just reinforces what my professionals are saying.

Be aware & always LOOK AT THE BIG PICTURE......you will be fine.

[TinaL]

Thank you all who responded.

I believe so. Definitely as safe as anywhere else online in the great WWW

[adel34]

Hi,
I think what Tina is refering to is a thread in the psychiatric medications forum, where someone was answering people's posts about med questions by talking about what their experience was in prescribing said meds to their patients. Kind of weird, made me wonder what was up since I thought that profesionals shouldn't be on here saying that kind of thing. It didn't scare me though, just made me kind of curious. I believe this person did say in their posts that they were only talking about what worked and did not work for their patients, and everyone's experience is different. I do feel safe here and think it's a safe supportive place!

Thanks so much for clarifying. Much appreciated xx
Rose
(Yes I do feel safe here )

[AngelWolf3]

I feel safe here as well, I tend to agree with eskielover, and wikidpissah (and others too...) I use the forum for peer support and to see what other coping skills people have learned to deal with similar issues like mine. I do realize it is the net, so although I lurk a lot, I try to keep a clear picture of the advice given and use what applies to me.
Hope this helps.
A thought crossed my mind, may be off base but
"Who counsels the counselor? "
They are human and need support too, although I do understand the level of agitation one announcing themselves would produce.