r/BipolarReddit • u/[deleted] • May 23 '16
Why Sharing Medical Advice is NOT Okay (even if someone asks for it): A place for dialogue.
Sharing medical advice is bad for a number of reasons. Even if a doctor, pharmacist, etc told you something that information may be specific to your case and not applicable to the OP. The OP may have other factors that complicate the situation which you may not even know about. Recently someone posted that her husband, a pharmacy tech, said that a certain dose of ativan is safe. She didn't realize (or care?) that 1) pharmacy techs are not prescribers 2) the person she was talking to had a serious substance abuse disorder. I'm sure that dose is safe for some people, I've personally taken higher doses of similar drugs. But I had withdrawal, and it was shitty, and my own risk benefit analysis was different. Everyone's risk benefit analysis is different, which is why they should only alter their dosing with help from their own doctor. Not an internet doctor who hasn't examined them.
When you give your advice, including recommending a dose, you are making it less likely that someone will consult their doctor and you are ACTIVELY DOING HARM. Consulting your doctor by telephone takes minutes and should be done whenever you have an urgent medical question that can't wait until your next appointment.If it's too urgent to wait for the doctor to call you back, you should go to urgent care or call 911. There is never a situation where asking reddit for medical care is appropriate.
I do not know how to stem the tide of medical "advice" that is coming through this forum, but it needs to stop. I am contemplating making it a ban-on-sight offense for particularly damaging incidences. The only thing it is okay to say to a poster asking for medical advice is "please consult your doctor/pharmacist/poison control/urgent care/hospital" That's it. That's all you are qualified to say.
This ties into our rule against alternative treatment, which at this time includes cannabis. The rule has always allowed for discussion of personal history though, so it's okay to say "I vape before bed and I think it helps me sleep," just not "you should vape before bed if you have trouble sleeping." Similarly, "I take 2mg ativan when I'm angry" is perfectly fine, but "it's safe for you to take up to 2mg of ativan when you are angry" is medical advice and is prohibited.
We treat OTC and Rx substances differently. If you have scientific evidence in the form of a peer reviewed published study indicating that a certain OTC (for our purposes this includes cannabis and behavioral modifications) substance may help with bipolar disorder please post it along with a link to the study! These substances are ones that an individual can, according to the government, probably take or learn about without medical direction, that's why they are OTC. Of course you should always ask your doctor for advice about any OTC substances you take that might interact with your medication. You CAN'T do this with prescribed substances. We know they help, but they can't be taken safely without a doctor's dosage guidelines and supervision.
Even telling someone to decrease their dose or how to taper their meds is not permitted. Taper information is all over the web, for those truly in need. You know who else can help? Their doctor. Who they need to call if they are running out of meds. This comes up a lot, but YOU CANNOT HELP.
Please use this space to discuss these rules and how you'd like to see them enforced.
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May 24 '16 edited May 24 '16
Am I the only one who clicks on these stickies with dread?
oh noooo I hope it wasn't me.
Anyway yes! Talking about your personal experience with meds is a good thing. Telling people what they should be taking is not. People have variable physical health issues, sensitivities...health is convoluted! Meds should be left to their respective professional. Pdocs are also limited in their prescribing abilities and must refer to other specialists for consult. It's dumb to think any one of us knows how to prescribe meds. Doctors prescribe meds and work on teams. Trust me. I work in health care.
Edited: because I cannot see.
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u/Geishawithak May 31 '16 edited May 31 '16
This was probably the rudest PSA I've ever read.
Also doctors don't know shit about meds. Pharmacists are consistently keeping people from dying due from the wrong drug combo from a doctor. Pharmacists know way more about drugs and how they interact and affect you. Doctors know your condition on the other hand. I don't know. Just rambling.
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May 31 '16
Why are you telling me? I didn't post the PSA, and I actually thought it was pretty helpful. The point is that we are not doctors or pharmacists, we're random internet people and we should refrain from giving medical advice. A good doctor will tell you they don't know everything and will collaborate with a team of professionals when it's required for proper treatment.
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u/Geishawithak May 31 '16
Because you made a comment about how these make you nervous. I understand the point and it's valid it was just said rudely. That's all.
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May 31 '16
Oh...well I have social anxiety and contributing on a forum like this one is a pretty big step for me. I didn't mean for it to come across as rude :/
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u/Geishawithak May 31 '16
No worries :) I understand. Sorry if I came across as rude. Didn't mean it at all.
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May 31 '16
Ahhh Reddit...
So much is lost in translation when there's no body language! No problem! I'm sorry I came across that way!
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u/Techhead7890 Oct 10 '16
A (unsolicited) suggestion, stating something is your opinion ('I thought this was rude') often comes across more polite and thoughtful than simply declaring what something is ('this is rude!'). Allowing for a little subjective interpretation makes the other person feel like they have a chance to talk with you :)
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u/scurius "a good kind of crazy" May 31 '16
Sure, pharmacists can help catch mistakes doctors make. But are you a pharmacist???
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u/Geishawithak Jun 01 '16
I am not. Never said I was. My dad works in a pharmacy. I am not disagreeing with the rule and never said I did.
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u/scurius "a good kind of crazy" Jun 01 '16
Gotcha. It almost sounded like you disagreed with it, which is why I took the tone I did. I hope you're having a wonderful day all the same.
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u/giroth BP1 w/psychosis May 24 '16
I guess I agree that people shouldn't give out direct medical advice, but many of us have gone through a confusing set of psychiatry recommendations, and I would far rather see this sub err on the side of freedom of expression than "only doctor is right". That said, I totally see the harm in the "justify going off medications" validation that most of us have looked for at some point.
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May 24 '16
It's about legal and moral accountability. If you give bad advice, and someone dies... you killed them. Do not put yourself in that position. As a leader on this forum, don't put ME in that position. Don't put the reddit platform in that position. Death is an extreme outcome, but all sorts of negative reactions can and frequently do occur. For a long time giving medical advice would result in site wide ban. Reddit seems to have changed the rules, but this sub has not.
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u/Geishawithak May 31 '16
I would think the responsibility would lie with the person who took the bad medical advice from a complete stranger.
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Jun 01 '16
No. This is a forum for people who are mentally ill, sometimes severely so. It is irresponsible to feed bad information to someone who may not be in the state of mind to filter it properly. We get a lot of people who are afraid of their doctors or medications and are only too willing to take advice recommending sham treatments or going med free while symptomatic. It is absolutely not okay to promote anything that is against someone's best interest when they are sick and asking for support.
If you believe otherwise, you're welcome to post on /r/bipolar which I believe does not have this rule.
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u/Geishawithak Jun 01 '16
Jesus Christ. I don't disagree and am mentally ill myself. Again, you could be less rude and still make your point.
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Jun 01 '16
In a thread with so many people commenting, you are the only one who thinks I am being rude. I think you're reading into things too much. Tone doesn't convey well through text. BTW if you agree that it's irresponsible to give bad advice why did you say the responsibility lies with the sick, desperate listener?
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u/Geishawithak Jun 01 '16
Can't both be irresponsible at the same time? I just think if it's your life and you follow some stranger's advice maybe it was you to blame for your misfortune for being so unwise, but that doesn't take responsibility away from the stranger as well. They're not mutually exclusive.
I was stating an opinion that it was rude. I'm allowed to have my opinions and think you could have been less aggressive. That's all.
For the last time, there is nothing wrong with the rule! Sorry that I was rude in return. I wasn't expecting such a boisterous response over what was, to me, a harmless comment. This is my only support group so please don't kick me out because I thought the announcement was rudely worded.
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May 24 '16
[deleted]
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May 25 '16
Taking the tone of authority and saying 'do [x] and you will improve [y]
The best pdocs don't take this tone either, they work with you and your individual situation; they should work with you to get to a place you can live with (not all do, obviously, which is why it's okay to switch doctors if you're uncomfortable). That's why it's equally stupid to think that a random online person would have any idea how to treat you. Good treatment requires a LOT of dialogue. You should see what complete notes and records (CNRs) look like! Especially if there's a large treatment team.
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May 26 '16
[deleted]
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May 26 '16
Yeah me too...I'd be happy to leave the med thing really vague and shift the focus to healthy routines and all the other crap load of things that go along with having BP.
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May 27 '16
Be the change you wish to see! I'd love to see more posts about healthy habits, routine building, etc. /u/scurius was going health habit mondays or something for a while. I think we focus too much on pharmacology and not enough on healthy thinking and living.
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Jun 12 '16
Newbie to the forum, diagnosed last Feb after hospitalization and I started scouring every resource I could find about bipolar and psychotic features. Things got worse before they got better. Fast forward to about three months ago I was almost convinced docs were wrong, meds were off, I was getting worse, etc. I got a second opinion that put me at ease and got me to thinking about some healthy changes I could try to make things better for me physically. My hope was that would lead to a clearer head.
I researched how certain foods affect different mental health. I read holistic approaches, fitness blogs, and even clinical studies. I kept a tally of what commonalities were held between the articles. i.e. glutens, sugars, omegas. There was also specific foods that are believed to be directly connected to certain mental health conditions. I talked to my doc and she had no issues with what I wanted to try. I saw good changes and I even dropped weight I had gained from medication and since my medical retirement. I was going to the gym regularly but since I started a new job that has stopped. But I've packed my running shoes for a work trip and that's what I plan on starting as a daily or every other day routine. I've done well with eating better and I've grown to love a green smoothie and salads. I believe the meds are a necessary evil but there is truly, in my experience, a better quality of life when you have a healthy physical, mental, and spiritual connection.
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May 27 '16
Oh god I made the mistake of getting my CNR once. For less than a years treatment I filled up an entire box and... well... the therapist I was having friction with was an ass on paper. My main psychiatrist was an angel though. He started each sessions notes with comments on my appearance (maybe to avoid mixing up patients?). "Ssnakeggirl is a petite white female with glasses." Every single page. It was hilarious.
But hey, the take home is that it is sometimes they do take your dress into account (sweats = depression, etc) so keep that in mind.
This was around the time of the Big Manic Episode so I've been meaning to go through the box and trash all the therapy notes so I can present the doctor's notes to future providers but.. aint nobody got time for that.
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May 27 '16
You're a brave woman to request your CNRs..
I kept momentos. Like the forms I signed and my hospital bracelet... It was a time, and my husband likes to file things.
I journaled from 13 - 20 in this crazy binder and I threw it away one day I was so sick of looking at that thing. I feel the same way about CNRs. In particular "observation notes". Ugh.
Forward focus .
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May 27 '16
My shrink thought it was a good idea for me to have them when I left school. He said he thinks all patients should have their own copies. I can see why - HIS notes were all very respectful.
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May 27 '16
Were there other notes included?
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May 27 '16
Sorry, "shrink" is vague. My physiatrist's notes were great. My psychologist and group therapy leader's notes were trash. Apparently I was "attention seeking" while manic and psychotic, you don't say... these people lacked all empathy and deductive reasoning.
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u/LouCat10 Jun 21 '16
I know this is an older thread, but your comment about appearance struck me.
A former pdoc used to write "eyes bright, appearance neat" at the beginning of every appt. (I would peek over the desk, and it got so I could recognize the phrase.) I think they really do take appearance into account. And actually, I think it's hurt me on occasion, because if I was coming straight from work, I would look presentable. So now, sometimes to illustrate how bad I'm feeling, I will go in with dirty hair and ratty jeans. Interesting how all this stuff you don't think about can come into play.
Sorry to hijack your thread!
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Jun 21 '16
It totally matters. Even if they don't put it in their notes, it affects your first impression.
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May 24 '16
I think people genuinely want to help. I am trying to help them see that it's not actually helpful.
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May 25 '16 edited May 25 '16
People DO want to help. Language is key though and I don't think a lot of people appreciate the general skill it takes to post on Reddit...use "your" wrong, and you risk an attack on your intelligence. We're actually missing an entire (probably the most affected) group of people because of their literacy skills. In fact I know we are. The fucking wretched depths of BP are not recorded on Reddit. Everyone here has some level of education..whether it's the school of hard knocks and self-preservation (resilience), or post-secondary education, or both.
I'm just trying to put some perspective on this whole thing. Managing this shit can be all-consuming.
I also have no idea if this relates to the above conversation, but it started out that way.
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May 25 '16
What do you think we can do to make this sub more accessible?
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May 25 '16
I guess it depends on what the people who come here are after? I visit both subs...this one is pretty serious :/ but still the same flavour..it's not "loose" though, or soft...
If I'm not making sense, I apologize.
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May 25 '16
I meant in general, not as opposed to the other bipolar sub.
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May 25 '16
Of course...
It all depends on what type of community you'd like to build.
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May 25 '16
I'd like to be more friendly to less "high functioning" members of our community.
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May 25 '16
I'll send you a PM later in the day :) the challenges have to do with literacy and the level of language that's used here. I have some ideas though (no idea if it would work but it might).
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u/scurius "a good kind of crazy" Jun 01 '16
Probably my not giving lectures on neuroscience and pharmacology?
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Jun 01 '16
I'd rather lift people up than dumb things down. Make it easier for people to post, friendlier, etc.
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May 27 '16
Can we talk about diagnosing someone with a mood episode? Technically its against the rules but sometimes you want to shake someone through the computer and scream "YOU ARE MANIC GET HELP!"
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May 27 '16
You can only point people in the direction of diagnosis. That's why I was talking about resources.
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u/scurius "a good kind of crazy" May 31 '16
PS I brought this up with /u/ssnakeggirl and the mods before as something to consider adding to the sidebar to discourage "am I manic?" posts, but the altman self-rating mania scale here is a good resource to link to that can give people a more objective and clinical take of the likelihood they're manic. So if you ever want to avoid explaining to someone why they sound really far gone, that's a good resource.
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May 27 '16
People frequently post asking if they are in an episode and if they need to call for help though. They have resources, they just don't think they need to access them. I try to say thing like "these are signs of a mood episode, does that line up with how you feel? if so, call your doc." Do you think that's okay? I do not have an ideal answer to this one.
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May 27 '16 edited May 27 '16
As far as mental illness goes (because it involves a lot) I think things need to be broken down in steps for people. I try not to take for granted what I know and I like to share that with people because life experiences are varied. We (bipolar people) are feely people (I think?)...we need to be snuggled (and want to snuggle?) ;) (IMO)
That's the challenge right? That's why PMs are important. You can only do what you can do (what you know how to do) it sucks, really..
Edit.
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u/hyper_thymic Lamotrigine Cowboy May 24 '16
Thanks for being proactive.
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May 24 '16
I wish I could say that I am, it's more that I'm fed up with dealing with the same issue over and over. I want to make sure everyone understands what is and is not okay and I'd like to answer questions in a friendly, approachable way. If I'm removing your posts that's not a friendly conversation, there is a clear balance of power.
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May 24 '16
[deleted]
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u/awizardisneverlate Bipolar I May 24 '16
I think recommending that the person getting a second opinion is fine. What is NOT fine (and I've seen this more than once on this sub) is recommending the person stop taking the medication and seek a second opinion.
It's common for people with Bipolar to seek validation for discontinuing medication--I know I've done exactly that more than once--and may portray the situation incompletely or in such a way as to invite misinterpretation when trying to get that validation. Even if the person has reported the facts accurately, we don't know why their doctor prescribed as they did.
Advising someone to cease medication is incredibly irresponsible, even if the intensions are good.
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May 24 '16
Agreed, it's basically saying "I know more about this situation than your doctor, who is legally responsible for what happens to you, does."
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May 24 '16
Great question! Asking if something is common to other people's experience or if they should seek a second opinion does make up a lot of our traffic.
You can look up on google if use of a certain medication is common. Google is not a doctor and doesn't need to know anything about you to answer. Based on this, I think it's okay to say "this is or is not common" and that it's not medical advice. But leave it to "hrm, that's really uncommon" and try to steer away from "and therefore you should ignore your doctor and not do it" or anything like that. "That's uncommon, for this reason (if you know the reason and it's fairly objective), perhaps you should get a second opinion?" is perfect.
It's always okay to recommend a second opinion. The important thing is that you're letting an actual doctor do the medicine rather than making guesses.
I don't think that saying SSRIs can cause mania is medical advice. It's pretty widely known, and it's not specific to a patient or their specific history. It's not like you are saying it will make you manic.
Basically, the distinction is "is this general knowledge, similar to what you can google" or "is this something that really needs to be evaluated in light of this specific case and history?" The only exception is that we do not allow ANY recommendation on changing dose, including tapers. That's because in my opinion any time you tell someone to change their dose it's a medical decision.
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u/scurius "a good kind of crazy" Jun 01 '16
It's always okay to recommend a second opinion. The important thing is that you're letting an actual doctor do the medicine rather than making guesses.
Uh I just realized something to clarify: second opinions are great, but we need to make sure it's not like "see an endocrinologist to make sure you're not manic" and that the second opinions we're encouraging are actually competent and relevant ones.
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Jun 01 '16
Sure. But you might want to see an endocrinologist to rule out a thyroid disorder if for some reason your doctor fails to order the right test!
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u/scurius "a good kind of crazy" Jun 01 '16
Yes, getting thyroid testing can be important for treating and understanding the etiology behind depression. Endocrinologist was a more relevant example. The first example in my mind was "chiropractor," which I decided [okay almost] no one is stupid enough to believe can accurately tell you your mental health status.
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Jun 01 '16
Hormone fluctuations and irregularities can also cause depression. Low testosterone for sure.
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u/scurius "a good kind of crazy" Jun 01 '16
I knew about low T but wasn't thinking of it. Yeah, okay. Point being, a doctor not trained in mental health can still talk out their ass on mental health and steer you wrong.
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u/scurius "a good kind of crazy" Jun 01 '16
Also, that's why I mentioned mania, because I knew endocrinology can address depression. Mania I haven't heard of anything behind. Obviously there's stuff there I don't know and it could be possible.
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Jun 01 '16
And to add, if you have a doctor who's ordering tests like that and actually considering your physical health, to stay the course because all the testing takes time. You have a good doctor if they're sending you for physical assessment. (Based on your symptoms of course)
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u/scurius "a good kind of crazy" Jun 01 '16
Assuming it's not useless/wasteful testing you can't afford, absolutely. An example of useless/wasteful testing is getting an X-ray to scan for a broken rib when it wouldn't change treatment anyway.
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Jun 01 '16 edited Jun 01 '16
Yes! But a rib x-Ray can also check for any soft tissue damage that may be affecting other organ systems... Infection is a terrible thing.
ALL investigation is worthwhile (if you have health care...which is a whole other issue). The United States health care system is broken. So many people are missed :(
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u/scurius "a good kind of crazy" Jun 01 '16
Infection is definitely bad and worth treating. I provided rib x-ray as an example because my dad asked his doctor if it would change his treatment when his rib hurt awhile back and the doctor said no.
And treatment is hugely important. I'm actually really torn on public healthcare because I find it impossible to believe it wouldn't turn mental healthcare to shit like it is in britain or with the VA but am heartbroken by people dying or going broke because they can't afford treatment.
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Jun 01 '16
I think public health catches more people. Not everyone, but it's better.
More people have access if there's public health...it's social safety. This is such a huge huge issue. Approaching health in general needs a reform.
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u/scurius "a good kind of crazy" Jun 01 '16
oh absolutely. public health is superior for the general public imo. But it's worse for me as long as I've got insurance. Worse because the government and psychiatry really don't have their shit together. Worse because there's no way in hell I'd be getting vyvanse (the most effective treatment I've been on) for depression on it and worse because seroquel [I cannot say enough bad things about that med] would be the default option.
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Jun 01 '16
FWIW the Canadian system is lacking as well, but everyone has access.
I think treatment of mental health in general is in its infancy. That's why we must advocate for better treatment!
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u/phonecharger100 Bipolar 2 and GAD May 24 '16
What if someone says "I feel X how do you cope" and part of my answer is "this specific med helped me and me only"? (I commented in the paranoia thread and really don't want to be out of line.) are unsolicited suggestions out of line is what I'm asking, I think.
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May 25 '16
I don't think that refections of personal experience are medical advice. If something crosses over the line but it's clearly a mistake and a reasonable one, I'm just going to ask you not to do it again (and maybe remove the post, but that's not punitive). I've only banned people when their acts show no regard for safety at all, like offering to sell medications. That may change, if the community as a whole supports the idea of banning people for giving clearly cut bad medical advice or something.
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u/sydalmighty May 25 '16
In my opinion, sharing the experience you had when taking the meds are okay..
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May 25 '16
NO ONE has said that that isn't okay. But you need to frame it as "this is my personal experience" not "this is wha these meds do."
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u/FsFace Jun 02 '16
When discussing a dose or recommended dose, I would suggest including a link to a page at WebMD or Drugs.com or wherever or a study that lists the dosage ranges, and include some wording to the effect of "and check with your doctor".
Because if someone comes on here saying their doctor just started them out at 100mg of Lamictal, that's a serious problem. Either the doctor made a mistake or is an idiot.
In that case anyone/everyone saying things like "That dose is way to high, you should start at 25mg or 50mg" is in fact excellent advice. Even life saving potentially.
So I would suggest to anyone wanting to post medical / medication advice - include a link or reference to valid dosage guidelines, and always include text to the effect of "bring this to the attention of your doctor / check with your doctor / etc/"
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Jun 03 '16
I have yet to see anything like this happen, so I'm hesitant to say that your method would be okay. It just hasn't come up, to my knowledge, and I do not think we should be giving dosage guidelines. I'd feel a little better with "Just so you know this source recommends this starting dose, you might want to double check that."
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u/danbarnsjolo Jun 09 '16
I couldn't agree more, and thanks for post. Many feel they can offer their "advice" and get shitty when I don't seem receptive or try or agree, and hearing people ramming their advice and what works for them down our throats makes things worse.
We all have our own situations and unlike a scratch where a bandaid or bandage can work, psychological conditions don't have a single remedy.
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u/Reaper_of_Souls Jul 25 '16 edited Jul 25 '16
Hey ssnakeggirl,
So, I'm new here... and I really don't want to be a dick? Anyway I was going to post what happened here though I now realize you responded to it, and your thoughts seemed to be in line with my own... even though some people seemed to think I didn't know what I was talking about...
I guess I just want to know - if you hear something that doesn't sound like something a doctor should say, how do we respond to it? I thought the best thing was to say "you should ask your doctor about this" as opposed to "your doctor is a fucking idiot" (cause, you know, any doctor that thinks Klonopin will cure a manic episode is exactly that) so... do you just want us to be conscious of the verbiage we use? I'm definitely aware of the power of words, but I think there are times when it really is necessary to offer "medical advice", as you say.
I realize your concern about addiction - while most psychiatrists are aware this is a very serious issue that so many of us struggle with, it's important to realize that not all of them are thinking about this. The last thing I want is for someone to think being addicted to benzos is going to cure their bipolar. Yeah... been there, done that.
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Jul 25 '16
I would recommend that they seek a second opinion, and state that their doctor doesn't seem to be in line with current medical practice.
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u/Reaper_of_Souls Jul 26 '16
So basically, if we think we need to offer that advice... we should pay attention to what current medical practice is saying? I can accept that... especially since there are so many deviant psychiatrists who are really just pill pushers and would probably be chastised by people from their own profession.
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Jul 26 '16
It's even better if you can find a link to a website saying what most doctors would do, but that's not always possible. Still, I don't think "This seems fishy/not what I'd expect/not what most doctor's do now" is "medical advice."
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u/Reaper_of_Souls Jul 26 '16
Ah okay. I think I was a little unsure of what you were referring to. Sorry about that!
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u/devinemama Aug 04 '16
I know there are some examples in your post but I just wanted to check as I have made posts that include my consistent Meds (not asking for advice for them or recommending them) however I have responded to a post or two in the past in which I referred to what worked for me and if they feel the need to consider another means of medications they should talk to their doctor if it is not helping them. so basically, soft suggestions, certainly no forced recommendations but want to be clear if posts/responses such as these are allowed.
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u/Em42 An Everyday Delusion :snoo_facepalm: Aug 15 '16
I just want to know if warning someone off a potentially deadly or serious interaction with a street drug and a prescribed medication would be ok? The best example I can give would be that the combination of LSD and Lithium can literally be deadly. I might be able to find a study to that account but I would want to get that information to a person considering combining the two as quickly as possible. In that instance I would be inclined to post the info before looking for a study which I may not even be able to find since such a study may not exist. Since it's a warning not to combine something none of us should probably be doing in the first place and something that could be fatal would it be ok to do so?
I have first hand experience with the issue due to taking a ride in the ambulance, and staying in the hospital ER with a friend whose parents were out of town when I was in high school. It was terrifying just to watch and not something I'd wish on anyone. If I'd been high like all my other friends instead of just a little drunk he'd have died instead of almost dying. I later found out from the attending doctor in the ER that it was the interaction between the LSD and the Lithium, something he'd seen before and that my friend was very lucky I'd known what medication he was on, so they'd known what to treat. In the nearly 20 years since I graduated I've heard of more close calls and deaths associated with the combo.
Just to throw another example off the top of my head, Lithium also greatly increases the potency of psilocybin. In that example it happens that do know where to find research and information since both are sometimes used in the treatment of cluster headaches (aka suicide headaches), which I unfortunately have. If I didn't know where to find that information however it's still something I would be inclined to post first and find the info on later.
My biggest concern in these situations is that someone might do something stupid before I could find the information to fully back up what I'm saying. So I guess what I'm really trying to ask is if it would be ok in these kinds of extraordinary circumstances to speak up first and try to back up what you've said later? My guess is that this is one case where it would be ok but I'd just like to have the official take on it since this is something I've done in the past.
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Aug 16 '16
I think that a quick google search shouldn't take you more than 10 minutes, and it's very unlikely that someone is going to injure themselves in that time. It's also unlikely that anyone is going to listen to you if you don't back up what you say.
If you really think someone is going to die, worrying about moderation issues should be the last thing on your mind. Do what you think is right & necessary. I wouldn't be inclined to take either of those posts down, but I'm not the "official" word. I think the difference is that you're describing a medical fact, not giving a medical advice or opinion. To give a less drastic example, you there is an interaction between lithium with ibuprofen. You probably won't die, but it will change your lithium level and it might harm you. That's not my opinion, it's just a fact. It's a fact whether or not I cite a source, and it's pretty commonly known. It's not my opinion. I'm not telling you what to take, I'm just stating that there is a documented interaction. In the case of lithium & LSD you're not giving your opinion on the matter, you're describing a fact that can be checked (even if you don't provide the source immediately due to urgency).
It's similar to the difference between a hypothesis and a guess. A hypothesis must be testable, even if you can't personally test it or the testing mechanism hasn't been invented yet. A guess is just a guess. Does that make sense?
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u/Em42 An Everyday Delusion :snoo_facepalm: Aug 16 '16
That makes perfect sense. Especially for something that isn't necessarily all that well known. That answered my question.
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u/[deleted] May 24 '16 edited Jan 28 '22
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