Why some countries play with their own psoriasis treatments

[Kat]

Fred, I don't think the people who come to the forums are a representative sample of the population. The people who to the forums are seeking social acceptance and are more than likely going to do what they want to regardless. The difference is more than likely the social contract we sign.

If someone wants to drink while taking medication where the instructions says not to, you should call your doctor and ask, not come here etc. While it's perfectly acceptable to ask your doctor, some people lack the intelligence to do so. I don't mean to be rude, but that's how it is.

I agree with most of what you say and I think people sometimes search to find the answers they want instead of the answers they need. I know I am guilty of that at times. I do think the forums offer a representative, granted not a majority but an individual perspective of thoughts.

Please tell me I haven't signed a social contract somewhere! I don't necessarily think of it as social acceptance... I mean I joined this site to learn and had the added benefit of making friends and chatting in off topic subjects. It is great that people here understand the impact of having psoriasis, so if that is what you mean by social acceptance then yes, I'd agree.

I know you mentioned the drinking and people asking about that.... I've also noticed times when people ask about dosage and such, or (sort of) promote one treatment and well, discourage another. I've wondered and this seems the thread to ask if people from different countries find it more acceptable to offer advice (as in a bit more than just saying what worked for them). For instance, myself (and I am thinking it is the American influence) I would never tell someone to increase or decrease any prescribed treatment. It actually borders on being illegal here. I'm not a doctor so therefore I am not qualified to advise someone on medication. Sure, I can talk about my experiences or my thoughts on it. If I were to offer such advice, I'd be wise to use a disclaimer that says I'm not a doctor and that one should consult a licensed doctor for information. So I'm thinking other countries are not as strict on that as they are here in the US?