Anonymous asked this question on 4/13/2000:

Please experts, make sure you know exactly what you're talking about before you give a reply to a request for advice. An answer based on hearsay or opinion especially in this case is totally unacceptable and can do more harm than good. Case in point - the recent request for advice on ECT. If you are not a trained professional who is thoroughly familiar with this procedure or a patient who has gone through a series of treatments, how can you conscientiously answer this person? Please, stick to what you really know about. Nobody's an expert at everything. Just because you're signed up here doesn't mean you have to answer every post.

- Concerned

jillyk gave this response on 4/14/2000:

Dear Anonymous, I understand your concern, however the question was in regard to what is ECT. the "experts" here would be sensible enough not to answer the qustion if they were not knowledgable in this particular area, nor would the person asking the question believe "stab in the dark" answers. A little bit of poetic license is required to translate psychological terms and conditions into laypersons language. Give the people who ask questions support and credit, the same is asked from you by some experts... try not to be too critical of others. If you wish to discuss this further with me, please do not hesitate to write to me. :) Jill.

The average rating for this answer is 3.

Anonymous rated this answer a 3.

I understand what you're trying to say but if you'll recall, their question was not about what ECT is but rather what can he/she expect and how will they feel afterwards. They're facing a very important decision that may affect them for the rest of their life and it's easy to perceive that he/she is apprehensive and wants some honest answers from someone who's been there. I don't berate anyone for wanting to help nor am I criticizing anyone. I just want to encourage prudence and humility to hold back from answering a post if there is no real qualification to answer.