h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I was reading the article on S.A.D (Seasonal Affective Disorder)and I was concerned to see a medical suggestion made (with help of your medical team) that was incorrect (the light bulb treatment).

I am not a medical advisor of any sort, so I did not think it my place to give the correct procedure. The way that the article is written, it almost seems like it is offering medical advice.

I have researched this subject and I would suggest that a footnote with a description with information how the correct procedure ( which I am happy to supply a description of from a link ) is performed would be in order.

I just wanted to inquire about what are your policies regarding offering medical advice in your posts.

thanks in advance!

h2g2's Medical Team normally looks at any medical Entries coming through, they are doctors, however this Entry may have ben written before they came along. If you want to highlight it go to the Entry and make a new forum called 'Correction' or something similar and post your thoughts There are SubEds who go through the old Entries and updates them, so it will be picked up. If you are really worried you could go and talk to TPTB, and get them to sort it quickly Hope this helps, until later...
BCNU - Crescent

thanks for your info.. will certainly post the details!!!
thanks again!!

Anytime Until later....
BCNU - Crescent

In addition to pointing it out to TPTB, I would leave a note on the medical team's page. http://www.h2g2.com/U116739

I believe there's an email address there to contact one of the docs and everything.

Good luck!

thanks!! no problem, once I get the little write up done, I'll post it there for review by the Docs . Just hate to see people rushing out for a cure that won't work LOL!

This is the URL for the SAD entry.

http://www.h2g2.com/A355466

Are you sure that the full spectrum light bulb treatment doesn't work? I'd heard that it does, but they are particularly expensive.

I have to get the footnote article together and post it yet, have not had the time. *grin*

It's not that the treatment itself does not work, it's the way it was presented. The treatment in the article suggests that you could basically do it as a self help. This is a treatment that should be monitored and each individual's treatment can differ from 30 mins up to two hours. A person whose condition may be serious may follow your advice and may more harm than good.

I just don't think that the idea should be portrayed that you can run out and buy a bulb and cure yourself. Suggesting things of a medical nature could lead to possible future legal trouble if incorrectly posted. I know the posts are fun and informative, but again, some people out there may misinterpret something and I don't wish to see any trouble :O)