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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Greg on October 19, 2000, at 8:22:41
Bob,
I really found your recent "hypotheses" thread to be fascinating (yes, I have figured out how to spell that word properly since last I used it). I was wondering if you have have an interest (and the time) in doing some surveys, for lack of a better word, tailored to the Babble site.
Some of the ideas that come to mind are, What pushes your buttons?, What time(s) of the year is the site more likely to see a large influx of new people and why? Are there any disorders that are more common here than others (Bipolar, ODC, ADD, etc.), Most commonly used meds and resulting success/failure rates, Ratios of those who use "handles" to those who use their real names and why they choose to do so. I'm sure others would have some great ideas as well. A compilation of results and comments could be posted at the conclusion similar to what you've done with your recent thread.
I think this could be some very interesting stuff. I of course realize you are a very busy man, but this is just food for thought.
I hope you are well,
Greg
Posted by noa on October 19, 2000, at 10:29:55
In reply to Dr.Bob - An idea or two...or three, posted by Greg on October 19, 2000, at 8:22:41
And the egroups site (psycho-babble-tips) has a "survey" function.
Posted by dove on October 19, 2000, at 11:29:30
In reply to Dr.Bob - An idea or two...or three, posted by Greg on October 19, 2000, at 8:22:41
I just want to second Greg's motion. I would be very extremely interested in seeing some data for Psycho-babble that goes further than just raw numbers/counters of visitors/regulars month to month or yearly.
What time of the year (respectively keeping in mind that we have members from all over the globe) do the most board-difficulties arise. Does this correlate to an increase in mental illness or emotional liability. Is there a definite seasonal relationship to mental illness and/or stability deterioration. Do certain seasonal changes aggravate or induce the aggressive and/or regressive behaviors sometimes seen on the board. Are there certain periods of time that display an increase in board member empathy, kind responses, expressive kinship, and other positive (possibly pro-active) behaviors. Are there any differentiating characteristics or personalities observable in the messages depending on the time of the day in which they were written and posted. Does the board reflect the same composition (percentage-wise) as the public's (both nationally and universally).
These items are more than mere curiosity, as I feel that the more we know about the board's mutations and fluctuations the better the board can do its job and fulfill its purpose. If we know that the seasons, or even the time of day effect mental diseases, we can then combat that pro-actively. What I mean by "pro-active" is not increased censorship or over-sensitivity, but a conscious effort to be extra lenient, extra gracious, and alert for hot/trigger topics and personalities. Some of us old-timers can really notice when the board's ambience changes, and I think that we sometimes feel helpless to guard this precious resource. I think understanding the physical (at least Internet-wise) fluctuations of Babble-land will lend insight into these issues. And should we find that it's all random chaos (quantum chaos if we're lucky :-) than we'll know that we're doing all we can and not have to feel any guilt when a small jocular comment incites a flame war.
Just some passing thoughts,
dove
Posted by Racer on October 19, 2000, at 14:58:49
In reply to Re: Dr.Bob - An idea or two...or three, posted by dove on October 19, 2000, at 11:29:30
A couple of other things that arouse my curiousity:
how does the number of regular posters correlate to supportive or non-supportive responses? Are there problems developing when the population density gets to great? If so, what's critical mass?
How does gender correlate to such things as diagnosis, medication, response to medication, fluctuation in response, and supportive/non-supportive posting? (My guess is that females are not necessarily more supportive, but that we may have some differences in our response to meds that might show up even in a small, self-selected group like this one. Interesting, at least to me...)
Going back through the archives, are there specific crises which bring about more or less expressed empathy in the regulars? (Why does that make me think of all of us sticking our heads and shoulders out of a mug with cream and sugar?)
Do we have anything else in common, besides the diagnoses? Maybe a history of isolation within our job descriptions? Or a preponderance of professionals or ex-mensa members, or red-heads, or single parent homes, or public/private schools?
Statistics may not be of much practical use to us, but they're certainly interesting to some of us...
Besides, since most of the drugs available are tested on white men, wouldn't it be nice to learn a little more about their effects on women of various ethnicities? Personally, being a really weird mix of Eurasian and AmIndian, with a few genetic quirks to go along with it, I'd love to know how common some of my symptoms are. Like my responses to sedatives and anesthetics: I'm not very responsive to most, but those I do respond to wipe me out at low doses. Go figure. How common is that? Am I just really weird? Please, don't answer that last one...
Thanks, by the way, for this great resource you've created for us.
Posted by noa on October 19, 2000, at 16:09:50
In reply to Re: Dr.Bob - An idea or two...or three -- four??, posted by Racer on October 19, 2000, at 14:58:49
>Like my responses to sedatives and anesthetics: I'm not very responsive to most, but those I do respond to wipe me out at low doses.
I did read somewhere that some ethnic populations need modified doses. Hey, it must have been on Dr. Bob's web site---perhaps a tendency for Asian people to require lower doses than caucasians?
Posted by Rzip on October 19, 2000, at 21:43:40
In reply to Dr.Bob - An idea or two...or three, posted by Greg on October 19, 2000, at 8:22:41
> Bob (that sound so strange and exciting),
I just want to say that while I am also curious about the stats, at the same time I am scared of them. I think that the reason I feel so much more willing to connect to the newly found friends on this board is precisely because I do not know too much about them. For me, personally, it is that security blanket of not knowing that draws me out from my internal world. But stats are cool and perspective. But is perspective good or bad in this case? I am ambivalent about it. At the moment, I feel anxious to know too much (even a little panicky perhaps).
-Rzip
Posted by Dr. Bob on October 19, 2000, at 21:54:38
In reply to Re: Dr.Bob - An idea or two...or three, posted by noa on October 19, 2000, at 10:29:55
> And the egroups site (psycho-babble-tips) has a "survey" function.
It looks a "poll" is a single question with up to 25 answers to choose from. Should we give it a try? What would be the question and the possible answers?
Bob
Posted by shar on October 19, 2000, at 22:28:06
In reply to Re: Polls at Psycho-Babble Tips, posted by Dr. Bob on October 19, 2000, at 21:54:38
> > And the egroups site (psycho-babble-tips) has a "survey" function.
>
> It looks a "poll" is a single question with up to 25 answers to choose from. Should we give it a try? What would be the question and the possible answers?
>
> Bob
Posted by Greg on October 20, 2000, at 7:20:06
In reply to Re: Polls at Psycho-Babble Tips, posted by Dr. Bob on October 19, 2000, at 21:54:38
Bob,
Personally, I would prefer the survey type format. Polls are good for pat, bottom line answers but don't give room for circumstantial comment. But either way I'm interested.
My top three choices are:
1. At what time of the year is the board likely to see the most activity, and why?
2. What are the most commonly used meds? (would also like to see some type of success/failure rate)
3. What disorder(s) do you have? (you should be able to select a minimum of three as many of us experience multiple problems)
These are not in any order of importance to me, just some random "babbling". Thanks for your attention to this Bob, I think it could be some real important info for some people.
Greg
> > And the egroups site (psycho-babble-tips) has a "survey" function.
>
> It looks a "poll" is a single question with up to 25 answers to choose from. Should we give it a try? What would be the question and the possible answers?
>
> Bob
Posted by Noa on October 21, 2000, at 15:10:25
In reply to Re: Polls at Psycho-Babble Tips » Dr. Bob, posted by Greg on October 20, 2000, at 7:20:06
It would be interesting also to track the popularity of meds over time--like are there fads among psychiatrists? Or is there a predictable pattern of increase, peak, decline, in prescribing of certain meds?
This is the end of the thread.
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