The helpers involved with PsychoTropical periodically relay messages from ‘media platforms’ which need correction or modification. I am concerned that there are many comments giving, and relaying, opinions and advice that come from people, including medical and para-medical writers, who clearly have insufficient knowledge or experience to give any useful opinion, or to impart accurate knowledge — such opinions go well beyond the knowledge or experience of the people giving them. A proportion of people making such posts are dangerous because they do not recognise that they do not even know enough to understand how little they know — but I am sure they think that they have ‘done their research’.
It is difficult to assess the credentials of people expressing opinions and giving advice. If you are one those unable to recognise the expertise, or otherwise, of people giving opinions, I am unable to help you, because first, you have to learn how to learn. If you cannot assess the validity of my status as an expert in these fields then you are probably wasting your time doing any research about these questions. As GB Shaw said, ‘beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance’.
When I reply to people who make enquiries, if they are appropriate and respectful, I send a standard pre-written message (to save time and typing) which tells people that the answer will probably be in the material on the website, or my (and other’s) peer-reviewed scientific papers associated with it — many people who contact me have not troubled to read the less specialised information available on the website, or my various scientific papers, and expect a personal explanation (for free) of something they could have found out for themselves. If in consultation with their responsible prescribing medical attendant people cannot manage to acquaint themselves with the material available then I am less inclined to find the time and effort to assist them.
My message further states that if that information is not sufficient then, people or their doctors can contact me to discuss it over Skype, or zoom or whatever — but be aware that there is rarely such a thing as ‘just a simple question’.
It is also presumptive to expect such help if one is not prepared to make at least a small donation to help the work that is carried out by my PsychoTropical Group.
Address for correspondence. Dr Ken Gillman: kg@matilda.net.au
Consider Donating to PsychoTropical
PsychoTropical is funded solely through generous donations, which has enabled extensive development and improvement of all associated activities. Many people who follow the advice on the website will save enormously on doctors, treatment costs, hospitalization, etc. which in some cases will amount to many thousands of dollars, even tens of thousands — never mind all the reduction in suffering and the resultant destruction of family, work, social, and leisure capability. A donation of $100, or $500, is little compared to those savings. Some less-advantaged people feel that the little they can give is so small it won’t make a difference – but five dollars monthly helps: so, do not think that a little donation is not useful.
– Dr Ken Gillman
