I have posted on here 3 times in the past year and each post, I was advised by some commenters that it only takes a few seconds to Google it.
We all know that yes, we can Google anything in the world.
I do not go on Google to look up anything to do with any of the questions I asked. I do not go on there for a reason.
1 because it sends me over the edge and riddles me with anxiety. We all know the fear Google can put in to us and diagnose us with a deadly disease.
2 I like to hear directly from other people , who may experience the same things or can offer advice that I may not have thought of. I like hearing from the real life experiences from people who may be in the same position or are facing the same challenges or issues.
Please remember this page is for us to ask questions, be there for others, share our kindness and advice and offer support. Yes you are all strangers but this page brings us together often with common issues that we can relate to.
Please stop telling me it only takes a few seconds to google something instead of posting on here. Google advice isn’t for everyone and especially if you suffer from anxiety.
Mostly please stop and think before you make a comment. We never know what is happening at the other end of someone posting.
13 Replies
It really depends on what it is. I hate posts that literally need to be answered by someone who needs to Google it. Like where can I buy this car seat in Melbourne? Are there any mortgage brokers in Cairns? I'm in a local group similar to this where people post questions and my god it shits me some of the things people ask on there when it is literally quicker to Google or ring up. Like what time does Woolworths open? Does Kmart have any blue size 3 shoes left? Is there a horse riding place here? It's crazy. But now I've had my little rant I do agree with you that googling medical symptoms can cause anxiety because it usually gives you the worst answer BUT. So. Does. This. Everyone that answers you is going to tell you their own experiences or Google the symptoms themselves and tell you what they found, so still causing you anxiety. You're best off ringing health direct and they can ask all the right questions and tell you what they think you should do.
This, if you are asking medical info, the answers here are just as likely to be terrifying and possibly wrong.
Better off asking your local pharmacist for advice or waiting to speak to your GP.
People often misunderstand there own medical issues and diagnosis.
Oh yes I didn’t even think of these types of posts. I’ve never actually read any. Mine haven’t been anything like that.
Just another perspective about people who ask mundane questions that would be quicker to google... I always consider that possibly socially awkward people, people who aren't great at making friends or making small talk in person may just be asking the mundane questions as a way to connect with other people.
If people take the time to read your post and type an answer, just say thanks and ignore it if it isn't applicable.
It's a public forum, you can't control the answers you are going to get and just because googling a certain thing isn't for you, it might be the right advice for someone else.
Yes I know this, everything on this page could be googled but people getting annoyed at me for not googling, isn’t cool.
Some issues are really big and too much to write about on here.
For example, I recommended someone had a trauma bond with their partner and I wasn't going to write paragraphs and paragraphs explaining the subject, so I suggested they google it.
I thought perhaps they hadn't heard the term trauma bond and that this may be helpful.
I'm not going to change the way I answer because one person, you, has written a whinge post.
You can't control everything, so stop trying.
I also agree with the above, some things really should be just goggled and are a waste of everyone's time.
Totally understand this. It’s the way some people respond so rudely with it. why even reply if that’s all you are going to write. Just to be rude to someone. Anyway my last straw on a recent post peeved me off. It just deters people from writing in when they are attacked for no reason. No need for any rudeness. It’s just answer the question and if you can’t don’t attack some one and tell them to use google.
As an anxiety sufferer, I agree with you. Google is not always reassuring.
However, seeking validation from anonymous internet users isn't necessarily the healthiest way to go about things either.
I don't like posts where people are looking for free legal / financial / property advice.
This isn't a professional service, it's a mother's forum.
But what am I going to do? I can't control that, it's a public forum.
I'm certainly not going to make a post about it.
It’s the context the way people are so rude about. No need to be rude about things.
Text can be taken as rude or as direct. It is often a choice a reader makes.
We are now a digital society. The automatic solution is 'why don't you just look it up online?'. It's ingrained in our culture, and will not go away.
Instead, be proactive on your posts and add what you need. 'Please don't ask me to Google it, I'm looking for specific information / experiences / comfort I'm not alone'. Then we know what you actually need and can help accordingly. You can then ignore the 'Google it' comments.
Random, anonymous strangers are no more likely to have correct information, and be any less anxiety inducing. Some of the information on areas I know about that is given out, even genuinely, is either heavily biased or incorrect, and in some cases, borderline illegal (investment advice especially!). I get attacked if I dare say something that makes me go 'EEK! that's incorrect/unworkable!' so I don't comment at all anymore.
I have a friend who constantly (even this morning..and again right now....) messages me to ask about about things she could find online herself, so am a bit frustrated so hope I'm not coming across rude. Although I understand when someone says they can't for MH reasons, and am happy to help.
So just be clear what you need and accept it's like being in a room full of strangers who don't know you.