Posted by AmyHarmon on August 4, 2005, at 11:29:00
In reply to Re: reporter seeks interviews » AmyHarmon, posted by MidnightBlue on August 4, 2005, at 11:18:13
Thanks, your point is well-taken. I do think there's a broad spectrum of what I'm calling "self-treatment," and people do a lot of their own research and suggest or dictate to a doctor what to prescribe them fall somewhere within it. But I'd be interested to hear about the other area you mentioned where people are doing more independent self-diagnosis/self-prescription too!
> Amy,
>
> I've been thinking about this a good deal, and I think you might be missing the main reason some of us come to Babble. Please note I'm speaking primarily for myself here.
>
> Most of us have already been diagnosed by a Pdoc at some point in our lives. Some by several. Sometimes we might disagree or question that diagnosis. For example, right now it seems pretty popular to label everyone with treatment resistant depression as bipolar.
>
> I think it is inaccurate to assume that we are basically treating ourselves, though a few of us may be. I come to Babble to learn about new meds and treatments and if others are having success with them. Also for support and encouragement.
>
> It can be discouraging to try 3 or 4 drugs and receive no benefit. If someone else has tried a drug and found that adding something else has tweaked it and made it work, then we can pass that info on to our doctors.
>
> There may be a few people who come to Babble to diagnosis and treat themselves, but I don't think that is the majority.
>
> If your article is primarily about internet self diagnosis I know of another area where that is going on in what I feel are much greater numbers.
>
> MidnightBlue
poster:AmyHarmon
thread:536372
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050803/msgs/537431.html