Sorry if this is out of line or has been brought up before, but I've kind of noticed that there have been an awful lot of these threads on the ED board recently, and they all receive the same answer, ie. "We can't diagnose you. If you're worried about your eating habits you should speak to your GP."
I just wondered if maybe we could have a sticky or a link or something titled "Worried about your eating? Look here" or something along those lines, which could explain what is and isn't normal regarding food and tips on bringing the subject up with a GP?
I don't go into the board but you seem them all the time all over the boards! Do I have depression? Do I have anxiety? Do I have rabies?
I think people just need to be reminded that no one here can diagnose someone else. Even if they were a professional in real life, you can't diagnose someone over the computer.
If people are worried they have something then they need to seek help in real life.
"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."
yeah- actually- i think i was one of those people- and to be honest having a sticked thread would be really helpful or even a clear link to the Eating Disocrders articles. i know they are mention in another sticked thread but when i made my post i was too scared/imtimidated to even consider looking there.
The BRAVEST thing
I ever did was CONTINUING MY LIFE when I wanted to die.
I read that as babies several times before reading it properly; but after reading it properly I can't decide which one is worse.
Anyways, back on topic... In my opinion this is just the result of a lack of general direction & RYL trying to fill too many roles, thus people start trying to use this site as diagnosis rather than emotional support. Though having people who are actively seeking a diagnosis in such also creates weariness within the community, as any subsequent threads made by that person will then raise the question of "are they saying that because they've read up on it & are aiming to show the symptoms?". The main problem is that people seeking this diagnosis and wanting validity of their suffering are just creating a nocebo (opposite of placebo) effect upon themselves, therefore they will deteriorate and become worse as they have the belief that they will. Hence why I tend to ignore people who say "maybe you have..." to me over MSN in relation to my episodes, I'll leave that to the appointments for all these strange-named specialists.
About the bit I bolded I've been on RYL something like 5 years, maybe six if my maths are right, and they've been here as long as I can remember, I don't think the problem with people asking for diagnosis has anything to do with the running of the site, it hsa been since ruin that people ask for diagnosis.
But yeah people asking for a diagnosis is very frustrating. On one hand these people are probably suffering in some way and needing validation, or completely on the other hand even possibly do have an ED [insert any diagnosis here] and are making steps to realise what they are doing. I mean, I can see the therapeutic argument, but like you all I really do think RYL is not the place, and never will be the place and shouldn't be used as an alternative to medical treatment. I also think some of this comes from the subtle glamorising of illness that RYL is predisposed to.
I think threads like these are the perfect place to link the articles on the main site, and reply nothing else. Or provide the link and say "if you have concerns, talk to your GP".
I absolutely do not think we need a sticky. There are articles on the main site, we don't need them duplicated on the forums as stickys.
Well it breaks my heart to see you this way,
The beauty in life, where's it gone?
And somebody told me you were doing okay,
Somehow I guess they were wrong.
I think threads like these are the perfect place to link the articles on the main site, and reply nothing else. Or provide the link and say "if you have concerns, talk to your GP".
I absolutely do not think we need a sticky. There are articles on the main site, we don't need them duplicated on the forums as stickys.
I agree with Aidey, who said both the only two thoughts I had about this.
Except the part about reply with nothing else; I think there is always room for support & discussion with the poster, ask them what their supports are and encourage them to reach out, but certainly also link to helpful content/websites.
I don't think we need a sticky, even if we had one it would be overlooked and people would still ask the question. I mean, I get that it's annoying but it's always been done, always going to happen, and in the end it is a way of someone asking for support and a way of us being able to provide it, as long as we keep it obvious that "we can't diagnose you and you need support."
I dont see the problem with them, not because we should be able to diagnose, but because someone posting needs support, and the right thing to tell them is 'see your dr for a diagnosis, we cant diagnose' but its also an oppertunity, for both parties to ask for and recieve support in GOING to get that help in real life.
They dont bother me at all, Id rather someone post this than not post at all.
L_M_G is my mummy :) inkerman and razorbladedarling are my two non-identical twin sprogs (concieved on same day) Scabette< cos she has the cutest puppy dog eyes and i cant resist!feeling-afraid< my bottle of glitter!! which i just have to have :Pmidnight stars< my gorgeous sister, whom i love to bits ;) Dance With The Fairy< *star*gazing*buddie :] Broken-Fairy is my partner in crime ;) little_miss is my real life saviour PaperClip is my stationary queen
The problem I have is people coem on here and go "do I have a problem" etc and then do nothing abo9ut it. I could list the symptoms I have but I can have a different diagnosis then somene else. I don't think people should be able to ask for a diagnosis. At all. Asking for support is different. Asking for a dianosis is something people need to be asking their doctor. It should not be encouraged here at all. What should be encouraged is eple going to a doctor.
"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."
I think when people day 'do i have this' theyre not necessarily asking to be diagnosed, more like wondering aloud, if that makes sense?
Plus the taking advice thing is never going to change, people are either ready to take advice or not and i think denying advice because theyre not ready isnt a good way to go.
There are times to stay put, and what you want will come to you.
But there are times to go out into the world and find such a thing for yourself.
I aint no abacus but you can count on me.
I also think people are often either wanting to be told "No, there's nothing wrong with you, everyone has some odd eating habits" or "Yes, you are right to be worried about this, it is a real problem and you will be taken seriously." I think even if someone has read all the symptoms of whatever they think they have they will often seek validation and reassurance. It's like on the NHS direct website they have a self-help flow diagram thingy where at the end it tells you wether to do nothing, self care, GP, A+E or 999. But even if I did that and it said don't worry, I probably still would and would phone NHSdirect to speak to a real life person. I can see why these threads might be frustrating as it might seem like the same questions over and over and over again, but each person asking those questions are individual and need individual support, perhaps the best way to reply to such threads after offering the obvious advice to see your doctor would be to ask people about their feelings regarding their eating, their feelings about seeing a doctor etc. because it does seem to me such threads are posted more for emotional support than for hard facts.
That is very true Heidi, at times I would have loved it if someone said to me, no, your alright, cos then I would have permission from someone other than the ED and it would make it 'alright' in my head. Validation either way is often very important to a person with a problem.
On the issue of taking advice given, it happens whatever the subject and circumstances, theres nothing anyone can do about it, except the person themselves that is.
L_M_G is my mummy :) inkerman and razorbladedarling are my two non-identical twin sprogs (concieved on same day) Scabette< cos she has the cutest puppy dog eyes and i cant resist!feeling-afraid< my bottle of glitter!! which i just have to have :Pmidnight stars< my gorgeous sister, whom i love to bits ;) Dance With The Fairy< *star*gazing*buddie :] Broken-Fairy is my partner in crime ;) little_miss is my real life saviour PaperClip is my stationary queen
I agree with both Griddlebone and Heidi.
I think that they are not necessary after a diagnosis but a validation of their feelings. They are often asking for emotional support, whether this is clear or not. As Heidi said, each person needs to be treated as an individual and given individual help regarding feelings and emotions.
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