A listener shamed me for taking medication
A listener I've been talking to on and off for a little while now told me that I should not be taking meds and was trying to use "logic" to tell me why I should use natural remedies for my hallucinations. He's from a very different country than me, so his ideas are very different from mine. I got so mad because he was trying to say that he wasn't shaming me because it was the doctor's fault for prescribing it, but if he thinks it's so bad, then he's obviously shaming me for it. I've gotten so many people like that on here. I just block them but I can't help but be upset over it.
@jessica92 That is unacceptable. The listeners here don't have any right whatsoever to tell you not to take medications or to take medications. That is NOT what we are here for. We are not certified or authorized to make comments like those. So I think that blocking those people is the best way to go about it. Unfortunately some listeners here are abusive and they haven't read the rules, with the most important one being "Do NOT give advice to a member". I'm sorry your experience has been like this. Just for future reference though, if you click on "Chat" and then "Browse Listeners", you will see that you can choose listeners based on what country they are from. So if you feel like you want to talk to someone from your country because they'd understand better, you can do that anytime.
Like the other reply said, the listener should not have done that. They're not supposed to be here to tell you to go against your doctor and preach their beliefs at you when you didn't even as for it. By the way, don't be afraid to leave a review or even report them for when they do things like this.
Dear @jessica92, of course it was upsetting! As the other replies have made clear, that kind of thing should NEVER be said. I apologize on behalf of the 7 Cups community.
Some people here have such a negative outlook on medication in general. I wish we could eliminate that stigma here.
I'm sorry this happened to you, you did the right thing by blocking them. I hope you're able to connect with listeners who are supportive.
Thank you all! You've all definitely made me feel better about this situation. 😊
@jessica92, I'm happy to hear you feel better about this. I've met people who had excellent results with medication. For many, medication can be amazingly positive, life-changing, a gift.
Also, it appears from discussions in the Forum and support rooms, that some people do not experience benefit from medication. I know people who're opposed to ALL pharmaceutical medication as a general policy, believing that only herbal remedies and lifestyle changes should be used for treatment.
I respect different viewpoints. But it's a basic 7 Cups principle that listeners LISTEN to members without imposing their personal views. We are not to give any specific advice.
Again, I'm sorry this happened. A listener should not make recommendations regarding the substance of treatment. Yes, there were times I encouraged a member to consider seeing a therapist or physician, or consider attending a program such as AA or Alanon. And, when a member reports a concern about their current treatment, we've discussed whether they want to consider consulting a new physician or therapist. But i believe that only a licensed professional--with adequate knowledge of the history, symptoms, and clinical observation, etc.--is in a position to advise commencing or ceasing a specific treatment.
There are so many awesome listeners here--I hope you connect with someone new who provides the support you need.