Psycho-Babble Administration Thread 1047

Shown: posts 1 to 21 of 21. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Overposting on psychobabble

Posted by ShelliR on April 19, 2001, at 0:12:30

This is one person who is replying to almost every post on the psychobabble board. In addition to responding, this person has also repeated entire answers several times that were provided by Dr. Richelson, I suppose because he agrees with Dr. Richelson's answer and is afraid that perhaps someone has missed the original reponse. I don't know if this amount of posting is related to a diagnosis of ocd, or with a true attempt to help everyone, or both.

(It actually feels silly not to mention the person's name since it is so apparent.)

Some of the responses are appropriate (IMHO), others set this person up as an authority on everything. I am finding that it is distracting when trying to read the psychobabble board. No one person knows everything.

I thought perhaps it was a stage that would pass. It is turning out to be continuous. I may be the only person who is having difficulty with this, and besides, I don't see any potential solution.

I think it is a turnoff when first finding pb, and a distraction as an older participant. It is also causing the board to turn over very quickly. I believe too quickly.

Anyway, I wanted to bring this up and remain as civil as possible. To the extent I can, I am giving this person the benefit of the doubt in terms of wanting to help people. But I believe his sincere help is going to be compromised and minimized by the lack of selectivity in choosing to respond to all posts.

If anyone either agrees or disagrees with me, or has ideas about how to handle this, please can we keep this thread civil and open to all opinions, without anger.

If this is not an appropriate topic to bring up on the administration board, or too personal a topic, then I apologize.

Thanks, Shelli

 

Re: Overposting on psychobabble

Posted by ChrisK on April 19, 2001, at 5:31:07

In reply to Overposting on psychobabble, posted by ShelliR on April 19, 2001, at 0:12:30

I agree with Shelli but accept that there is probably nothing that can be done about it short of asking that person to please regulate themself. I find that I don't open those posts anymore and probably miss out on some information in threads because I have stopped reading them. It is very distracting and I agree that this person has set themself up as an expert in medications. I only hope that it doesn't cause new visitors to be turned off to PB.

 

Re: Overposting on psychobabble

Posted by Dr. Bob on April 19, 2001, at 9:13:14

In reply to Re: Overposting on psychobabble, posted by ChrisK on April 19, 2001, at 5:31:07

> I agree with Shelli but accept that there is probably nothing that can be done about it short of asking that person to please regulate themself. I find that I don't open those posts anymore...

Thanks for bringing this up. Let's see what others think, too. I certainly could say something, and just not opening posts might not be a bad idea for now...

Bob

 

Re: Overposting on psychobabble » ShelliR

Posted by Cam W. on April 19, 2001, at 11:30:46

In reply to Overposting on psychobabble, posted by ShelliR on April 19, 2001, at 0:12:30

This has been one of the reason I only read select posts now, from select posters and may be missing some that I could truly help in answering. I apologize for this. Many times I can't be bothered with opening a thread. While vicarious expertise should not be stifled, it can at times be dangerous, if not just boring. Just my opinion - Cam.

 

Re: Overposting on psychobabble

Posted by mila on April 19, 2001, at 12:04:40

In reply to Overposting on psychobabble, posted by ShelliR on April 19, 2001, at 0:12:30

yep, this person's posts are like a mold, a giant overgrown fungus whose rhizome creeps into every new crack or opening on the boards. generally I feel aversive about proselitizing. It is painful to witness someone that enclosed in their frozen and repetitive universe and sucking others into it.

A very peculiar situation indeed.

mila

 

Re: Overposting on psychobabble

Posted by Noa on April 19, 2001, at 15:15:05

In reply to Re: Overposting on psychobabble, posted by mila on April 19, 2001, at 12:04:40

There have been times in the past when I was the most frequent poster, I think. During that period, I would check in pretty compulsively throughout the day, and respond to lots of messages. It was something I needed to do , I guess, although it got to a point when it began to feel like too much for me.

Nowadays, I don't read all the threads, and open messsages selectively based loosely on a mixture topic, author, time limitations, and whim. I tend to not read the posts of people who seem, imho, to be dispensing advice in a way that (I feel) comes across as overly authoritative, or those that seem to be repetitive, or contain what seems like misinformation, or seem like overgeneralizations. Occasionally, however, if I see a post that asks an honest question or raises an interesting issue that I feel I have something to add to, I will read some of the responses that fall into the overly authoritative, overgeneralized, or repetitive categories, just to get a sense of what kind of responses the questioner has received. At those times, I can be concerned about the kinds of responses the questioner is getting, and then it feels especially important to offer a different perspective, although I don't usually address myself directly to the overly authoritative responder. It is just that I want to add something different to give some balance.

For me, frequent posting ran its course and ended. I don't know if that will happen in this case.

 

Re: Overposting on psychobabble

Posted by JahL on April 19, 2001, at 18:23:48

In reply to Overposting on psychobabble, posted by ShelliR on April 19, 2001, at 0:12:30

> > This is one person who is replying to almost every post on the psychobabble board. In addition to responding, this person has also repeated entire answers several times that were provided by Dr. Richelson, I suppose because he agrees with Dr. Richelson's answer and is afraid that perhaps someone has missed the original reponse. I don't know if this amount of posting is related to a diagnosis of ocd, or with a true attempt to help everyone, or both.

I'm finding it a little overwhelming & am not entirely comfortable with the authoritative tone of some of the said posts. I'm also unhappy when individuals get on their anti-med soapbox (be it anti-opiates or otherwise); I could do w/o being preached to...but I'll say no more.

J.

 

Re: frequent posting » Noa

Posted by Dr. Bob on April 20, 2001, at 22:45:16

In reply to Re: Overposting on psychobabble, posted by Noa on April 19, 2001, at 15:15:05

> There have been times in the past when I was the most frequent poster, I think... it got to a point when it began to feel like too much for me.
>
> For me, frequent posting ran its course and ended.

Too much in what way? Was it just that, or were there other factors? I'd be curious, if you're comfortable responding...

Bob

 

Re: frequent posting » Dr. Bob

Posted by Noa on April 21, 2001, at 15:01:42

In reply to Re: frequent posting » Noa, posted by Dr. Bob on April 20, 2001, at 22:45:16

Well, I don't remember the sequence of things (you probably have this data) but it is possible that my high frequency posting ended when I took a hiatus because I was attacked by a particularly viscious and disruptive poster. But I also seem to recall coming to a point, completely separate from that episode, of feeling like I was addicted and overdoing it. I was checking in many times a day, and hitting the reset button a lot, and checking for new posts to read, and responded to so many. I felt connected to the board and to the other participants and wanted the contact all the time. As this was happening, I was aware of it, but had a hard time stopping. But then I just realized it was not healthy for me, so I pulled back.

 

Re: frequent posting

Posted by Dr. Bob on April 21, 2001, at 17:38:00

In reply to Re: frequent posting » Dr. Bob, posted by Noa on April 21, 2001, at 15:01:42

Noa,

Thanks for your reply. Do you remember, was the "anti-addiction" option available then? If so, was it something you tried? Thanks,

Bob

 

Frequent posting Noa

Posted by Gracie2 on April 21, 2001, at 22:28:37

In reply to Re: frequent posting » Noa, posted by Dr. Bob on April 20, 2001, at 22:45:16


Noa-
For what it's worth, I always find your posts to be supportive and informative. I never considered
them to be excessive.
-Gracie

 

Re: Frequent posting Noa

Posted by judy1 on April 22, 2001, at 14:57:41

In reply to Frequent posting Noa, posted by Gracie2 on April 21, 2001, at 22:28:37

I'm glad Gracie posted her feelings because I share them too. Actually your frequent posts helped me a great deal on more than one occasion, and i'm probably guilty of obsessively checking the board for your advice- even if i didn't post. take care, judy

 

Re: frequent posting

Posted by Noa on April 23, 2001, at 8:57:37

In reply to Re: frequent posting, posted by Dr. Bob on April 21, 2001, at 17:38:00

No, it wasn't available yet. Since then, I haven't needed it.

 

Re: frequent posting » Noa

Posted by dove on May 2, 2001, at 12:49:00

In reply to Re: frequent posting, posted by Noa on April 23, 2001, at 8:57:37

I vaguely remember the sequence. It seems that a few of us were *very* connected to the board, there were less people coming and going then, more regulars, and a feeling of 'family' seemed to exist. There were a couple of changes that took place rather quickly, and I clearly remember a wicked attack slapped on Noa, one of the few times I've entered the line of fire.

However, I believe a few of us got caught in a no-win situation by responding to certain poster(s) who were not receptive to advice, care, or concern. That was the *heavy* period when I could hardly bear to visit PB, it was too emotionally taxing. The strings entwining many of us suddenly pulled very tight, strangulating the very life we were trying to share. Too close, too personal and too real.

I hung back and I recall a specific post written by Noa that stated my own feelings perfectly, that due to the strain, PB had become an unhealthy and overwhelming place. I felt even stronger, it felt like a very dangerous place to me. Then, we lost some of our 'family' members to real-life endeavors and the ambience--the flavor--of PB changed. I have not really engaged PB in the same manner since that 'heavy' period. I've been much more cautious and much more finicky about what I read, who I respond to, and how often.

The benefits are personal safety (or at least the perception of), not feeling overwhelmed by everyone's hurts and pains, not worrying myself to distraction during real-life, and feeling guilt-free. The drawbacks are the lack of true support, the lack of family, the lack of camaraderie, and it has become more difficult to locate real answers and gain real knowledge.

And no one, absolutely *NO ONE* should feel slighted or accused, it's just the changing of the guard so-to-speak. Change is not always a comfortable venture, especially for those who remember the good 'ol days. The atmosphere has changed, but it may be for the best. And whoever it is that's posting too much, too often, and too authoritarian will assuredly run their course. There is only so much one person can say, write, or do until one reaches burn-out. For the time being I offer my opinion that we wait it out, it may prove worth it.

dove

 

Re: the ambience changed

Posted by Dr. Bob on May 3, 2001, at 0:24:54

In reply to Re: frequent posting » Noa, posted by dove on May 2, 2001, at 12:49:00

> the ambience--the flavor--of PB changed. I have not really engaged PB in the same manner since that 'heavy' period. I've been much more cautious and much more finicky about what I read, who I respond to, and how often.
>
> The benefits are personal safety (or at least the perception of), not feeling overwhelmed by everyone's hurts and pains, not worrying myself to distraction during real-life, and feeling guilt-free. The drawbacks are the lack of true support, the lack of family, the lack of camaraderie, and it has become more difficult to locate real answers and gain real knowledge.
>
> And no one, absolutely *NO ONE* should feel slighted or accused, it's just the changing of the guard so-to-speak. Change is not always a comfortable venture, especially for those who remember the good 'ol days. The atmosphere has changed, but it may be for the best.

I wonder if part of it has to do with growth. We were a small town before, and we've become a big city now. With the tradeoffs that you mention.

Some of the Yahoo Group spin-offs may have been able to recreate that old feel. Partly that was my hope with PSB, too. And with that "old-timers" board idea that was so unpopular...

Hmm, maybe the problem with a single exclusive board would be that it would be too, well, exclusive? What if anybody could create a separate board for themselves and others they invited? It would kind of be reinventing the eGroups wheel -- and with fewer features -- but it would be right here...

Bob

 

Re: Overposting on psychobabble » ShelliR

Posted by kid47 on May 3, 2001, at 10:19:37

In reply to Overposting on psychobabble, posted by ShelliR on April 19, 2001, at 0:12:30

Hi ShelliR. Yes I'm sure we all know who you are refering to. After reading your post I went back & checked out a handful of __________e posts. For the most part I felt his comments to be reasonable & helpful. Along with anecdotal remarks he also provided site addresses & links to scientific studies related to a particular topic. The info I reviewed appeared to be accurate. I agree his postings seem to be a bit obsessive but I don't see as it is really harmful to anyone else. I would rather see this than some of the hysterical rants from some with no basis other than their isolated experience. Is it difficult for you to just overlook his posts? We know very little about this person & posting to this site might be his life line. I certainly respect your opinion, but is "over posting" especially in this case, really such a problem? ObviouslyI haven't read all his posts, so there may be some that are more detrimental & these are what you are concerned about. As you are aware misinformation does occur on this board. Fortunately it is usually corrected in short order by others here or in some cases Dr. Bob will step in. Hopefully folks will check with their doc before blindly following any suggestions posted on PB. Sorry I didn't intend for this to ramble on so. All of this of course is IMHO. Take care.


> This is one person who is replying to almost every post on the psychobabble board. In addition to responding, this person has also repeated entire answers several times that were provided by Dr. Richelson, I suppose because he agrees with Dr. Richelson's answer and is afraid that perhaps someone has missed the original reponse. I don't know if this amount of posting is related to a diagnosis of ocd, or with a true attempt to help everyone, or both.
>
> (It actually feels silly not to mention the person's name since it is so apparent.)
>
> Some of the responses are appropriate (IMHO), others set this person up as an authority on everything. I am finding that it is distracting when trying to read the psychobabble board. No one person knows everything.
>
> I thought perhaps it was a stage that would pass. It is turning out to be continuous. I may be the only person who is having difficulty with this, and besides, I don't see any potential solution.
>
> I think it is a turnoff when first finding pb, and a distraction as an older participant. It is also causing the board to turn over very quickly. I believe too quickly.
>
> Anyway, I wanted to bring this up and remain as civil as possible. To the extent I can, I am giving this person the benefit of the doubt in terms of wanting to help people. But I believe his sincere help is going to be compromised and minimized by the lack of selectivity in choosing to respond to all posts.
>
> If anyone either agrees or disagrees with me, or has ideas about how to handle this, please can we keep this thread civil and open to all opinions, without anger.
>
> If this is not an appropriate topic to bring up on the administration board, or too personal a topic, then I apologize.
>
> Thanks, Shelli

 

Re: the ambience changed » Dr. Bob

Posted by Noa on May 3, 2001, at 16:04:10

In reply to Re: the ambience changed, posted by Dr. Bob on May 3, 2001, at 0:24:54

Interestingly, I had been participating in two egoups/yahoogroups, but now only frequent one because the other began to feel overwhelming. It became larger and it is a really active board. It is still a wonderful place, but it was overwhelming for me to try to keep up, and since I am spending less time online nowadays, it made sense to pull back.

 

Re: frequent posting--A victimless crime??

Posted by Shar on May 3, 2001, at 22:46:31

In reply to Re: frequent posting, posted by Noa on April 23, 2001, at 8:57:37

I have been accused and found guilty of frequent posting, hogging the board, making others feel unwelcome, etc, etc.

I did not then and do not now understand why it should upset someone if a person posts to their heart's content. Who knows what benefit it might be bringing to someone, and who is it harming?

There are enough "segue" posts around to annoy anybody, but nobody complains about their frequency.

So, claiming my guilt in advance, I say let them post posts! And let the games begin!

Shar ----< ----@

 

Re: Overposting on psychobabble » Noa

Posted by NikkiT2 on May 6, 2001, at 9:49:39

In reply to Re: Overposting on psychobabble, posted by Noa on April 19, 2001, at 15:15:05

Noa - you were always very caring with your replies,and never clamied to have the answers... You presence was always very welcomed..

As an asie.. if you're all talking about who I think you are... I complusvly read his posts to see what great thing he ahs learned today!!! So, yeah, I do tend to look on him.her as a bit of a joke..

nikki

 

Re: Community, service and Overposting

Posted by dougb on May 6, 2001, at 17:07:45

In reply to Re: Overposting on psychobabble » Noa, posted by NikkiT2 on May 6, 2001, at 9:49:39

> Noa - you were always very caring with your replies,and never clamied to have the answers... You presence was always very welcomed..
>

There is a definite sense of cummunity here that one does not find outside of the pdocs waiting room.

It is theraputic to discuss one's problems with others going through similar circomstances.

In fact this may be the only place that some can go to
where they are understood.

We must accept them, look after them, do whatever we can to facilitate their recovery and growth in a kind and loving way.

This is good for them, and good for us....

DB

 

Re: Overposting on psychobabble

Posted by JahL on June 17, 2001, at 20:04:16

In reply to Overposting on psychobabble, posted by ShelliR on April 19, 2001, at 0:12:30

> This is one person who is replying to almost every post on the psychobabble board. In addition to responding, this person has also repeated entire answers several times...

I've just done a search for this year on Mirapex. 56 results. *25* posts from one individual, 90% of which are duplicates of the same 2 posts, recycled again & again. zzz. Wading through all these irrelevant posts was time-consuming & therefore slightly annoying...

Maybe there shld be some sort of control on the 'reprocessing' of posts. The search function is in danger of becoming clogged-up...

J


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