Posted by ElaineM on January 21, 2007, at 12:34:32
In reply to Re: helping, posted by Dr. Bob on January 21, 2007, at 3:51:02
>>>>>>First, I didn't mean to imply that suggesting that someone in distress call a psychiatrist or a distress center or go to an ER was inappropriate. Nor that anyone here wasn't trying to help.
No, I didn't think it seemed as though you were saying it's inappropriate, but more that you thought it felt like "pressure" because it was a over-exaggeration in relation to the distressed posts. That's why I asked if you possibly questioned the veracity of the distress posts -- I felt confused by the lack of levity you seemed to view the situation with. Though, now you've attempted clarify somewhat.
No, I wouldn't think you *meant* to. Everyone injects their own personal feelings into their responses -- you are no less human. But the thing that people felt accused from was (as I mentioned in the other post) that you chose to refer to such help as representative of "anger", instead of something with more positive connotations. Again, perhaps you find it difficult to seperate your own personal feelings, but it paints your replies in something less than a purely administrative tone -- that's all. Perhaps you've never had a personal brush with overdose or lost someone to suicide - could that be why you are not viewing posts that contain such subjects as in need of immediate intervention as other readers here? Or have you yourself had traumatic experiences receiveing suicide-distress calls from patients before, and you have feelings about us suggesting "call a professional" advice? I don't know.
>>>>>That's a good question, if there's a difference between suggesting multiple times and pressuring. And another good question is whether there ways to suggest that would be more likely to be experienced as concern rather than anger. What do you all think?
Yes, I thought it was a valid question. That's why I wanted your response. Perhaps you could give your opinion first, and then we could use that to spark a discussion - rather than you not giving a response. Again, the "anger" word :)
>>>>>>As far as how else to respond, are there responses *in addition* to those suggestions that you all would find helpful if you were feeling really distressed? What would you want a friend to say to you?
Bob, again no real answer? We wanted to hear from you (from the person who posted that original judgement, and from the admin)
I think that maybe you are missing my point. Feeling really distressed is one thing, suicide and overdoses is another. I agree there are a wide variety of ways to convery support to someone who is distressed. THere are significantly less ways to help someone talking of overdosing. And in that situation (as other posters have also echoed) nothing is equal to the seriousness of the subject, or the level of distress of the outcry, than to advise that someone call, or be with, professionals. At least not that we knew of, hence the question to you.>>>>>>I agree, posters in distress do need to be civil, too.
Thank you. I appreciate that being acknowledged.
thanks El
poster:ElaineM
thread:723690
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20070112/msgs/724800.html