Psychiatrist/Medical advise.

[17th Angel]

Just a curious question is all... Say someone wished to speak to someone about their mental state so on and so forth, but didn't wish to go and visit a doctor/specialist.... Would any perchance know of any sites where you can speak via text instead of face? Just, curious.

[Francis king]

yes, 17th... there are two mental health charities I can think of off hand- an organisation called- rethink, and they have a bulletin board/msg forum there, so u go, type ur stuff, ppl reply... I think MIND has the same... again, a forum, open access, etc, where u can get some feedback... there is also a chat room/site/msg forum called- healthy place, and they have live chat, and a forum... erm... calmzone was a good place, but their online chat is now down due to not being able to get funding...

if there's anything u need, 17th, my pm box is always open...

cheerio

[Snoopy]

There's lots of local charities that have forums, with both users and professionals involved. The forum is just one service offered of several usually, as well as support "offline." Googling should do the trick to find 'em.

If it doesn't need to be "local", then there are of course national forums, probably more active...for example, here is (allegedly) "The UK's largest mental health online forum."

The 1 in 4 Forum is brought to you by Radish Online

s.

[17th Angel]

Thank you both, very much I'll look into these, also thanks for the PM offer Francis... I wouldn't wish to burden you but, nice to offer.

[Snoopy]

Nil sweatum.

[17th Angel]

Joined rethink.... I think, lol that is a bit below my league. They are speaking of such things as cannabis troubles? And there is no like.... Private stuff there? Just one big forum? I'll try another........ 1 in 4, lol ok that one is too confusing... I do not seem to understand how to post a topic.... Hmmm Maybe this just was a bad idea lol.... I'll keep looking into it, thanks!

[17th Angel]

Ok I have figured stuff out... Thanks again.

[bob x]

So you're sane now?

[17th Angel]

In all seriousness, no idea. what is sane? Who can define what sane is? Everyone think's they are sane or they are normal and others are crazy or strange, insane demented and so on..... So yeah... Who truly is the judge.

[path_of_one]

I've had a few students that informally discussed sanity issues with me and I told them I think the goal isn't sanity (as in normal), but rather functionality (as in, can you live an OK life). Obviously, being suicidal, unable to get out of bed in the morning (serious depression), or so out of touch with the "real" world (i.e., if you hear voices and can't shut them up)... such things lead to a life that is distressing, not fun, and not productive. However, lots of people experience stuff that modern psychiatry sees as problems that aren't necessarily problems if their lives still function well. I've known mediums, for example, and they see and hear stuff the rest of the world doesn't, but so long as they can process it OK and turn it off when they wish, I wouldn't say it's problematic.

Maybe I'm a bit skeptical of psychiatry, though I respect it (just haven't had the best experiences myself). The handful of therapists I've been to in life didn't have much to offer except (A) to talk indefinitely about my feelings (which, while nice, I could do with friends and family just the same) or (B) drugs. LOL Maybe it's an American thing, but it seems they want to prescribe medication for everything and anything. Sad? Take a pill. Stressed out? Pill. Angry? Pill. No thanks. I like being emotional and passionate, even if it does come with its down times.

Anyhoo, didn't have much to add for the online sources; I didn't even know they had this. But suffice it to say that I found more help in meditation, wild places, and horseback riding, than in psychiatry. My best course of action for any time I'm out of whack mentally is to go sit in the woods or ride my horse. Or sometimes, some really nice loud LOUD music.

[bob x]

An A.A. buddy tells a story of a guy committed to an insane asylum, and the psychiatrist asks him, "Do you understand why you're here?"
"Sure. Because I'm nuts!"
"No... because you act nuts. Now, do you understand when you're going to get out of here?"
"Sure. When I'm sane!"
"No... when you act sane!"

[17th Angel]

Originally Posted by path_of_one

I've had a few students that informally discussed sanity issues with me and I told them I think the goal isn't sanity (as in normal), but rather functionality (as in, can you live an OK life). Obviously, being suicidal, unable to get out of bed in the morning (serious depression), or so out of touch with the "real" world (i.e., if you hear voices and can't shut them up)... such things lead to a life that is distressing, not fun, and not productive. However, lots of people experience stuff that modern psychiatry sees as problems that aren't necessarily problems if their lives still function well. I've known mediums, for example, and they see and hear stuff the rest of the world doesn't, but so long as they can process it OK and turn it off when they wish, I wouldn't say it's problematic.

Maybe I'm a bit skeptical of psychiatry, though I respect it (just haven't had the best experiences myself). The handful of therapists I've been to in life didn't have much to offer except (A) to talk indefinitely about my feelings (which, while nice, I could do with friends and family just the same) or (B) drugs. LOL Maybe it's an American thing, but it seems they want to prescribe medication for everything and anything. Sad? Take a pill. Stressed out? Pill. Angry? Pill. No thanks. I like being emotional and passionate, even if it does come with its down times.

Anyhoo, didn't have much to add for the online sources; I didn't even know they had this. But suffice it to say that I found more help in meditation, wild places, and horseback riding, than in psychiatry. My best course of action for any time I'm out of whack mentally is to go sit in the woods or ride my horse. Or sometimes, some really nice loud LOUD music.

Invisible handcuffs.....