A warning about doing online tests on personality or mental health issues such as Bi-Polar Disorder or Depression.
This type of self-testing can be harmful for several reasons. Of course, many people who complete a yes/no type of questionnaire, may, without realising it, be putting down the answers that they think should be given. If the online test appears on a website that has no identified owner or organisation, it should be viewed as suspect. If the test is carried out when the person is under stress or in a very low mood, the answer level may differ from what would be given on other occasions.
I have recently researched an online Bi-Polar test. This came out at the top of the google search results for 'Bi-Polar Disorder'. Inputting the answers from someone diagnosed with Bi-Polar on two separate occasions resulted in a pop-up box (don't we hate them) noting No Disorder. The 12 points were all listed as 'incorrect'. When the mouse was hovered over the box, an answer appeared which was not one that had been given. The actual answers had ranged from 'moderately', to 'quite a lot' and 'very much' but the site recorded answers at the opposite end of the spectrum such as 'just a little'. One possible cause for these results may be that the test only provides valid answers if the user is logged in. There was no named owner of the site or facility to 'contact us'.
What this site was very good at was providing pop-up boxes which were trying to sell you something, either a sleep remedy or a way to make more money out of your retirement. Both these adverts should not have appeared on a website dealing with Bi-Polar Disorder as poor sleeping patterns should be dealt with by the patient's doctor or psychiatrist. Also, one of the symptoms of Bi Polar is that, when on a high ie in a manic phase, sufferers are easily persuaded to sign up to costly schemes or buy memberships or items that they do not need. Going on a spending spree is a typical behaviour observed in sufferers.
It is worrying that many people will be researching mental health issues when they are at their most vulnerable. The content of this website is not written well.
Try instead researching on NHS Direct or even web-MD.
The advice has to be NOT to sign up to anything which involves financial input without consulting family and close friends who can give you impartial advice based on their knowledge of your behaviour patterns. One writer has referred to the Rule of Three which means that, for any large expenditure, the Bi Polar patient should obtain the agreement of two other people.
It is possible to get accurate information about Bi Polar Disorder or other mental health conditions such as Depression from good medical websites. So DO take care when you are researching your condition.
A good website is the one set up by Ruby Wax in conjunction with SANE the mental health charity. It is in its infancy but some forums are being set up where those with a mental health condition can ask and answer questions.
www.blackdogtribe.com
A good source of information is from dedicated organisations such as
MDF The Bipolar Organisation
www.mdf.org.uk
0845 6 340 540
The Samaritans
www.samaritans.co.uk
08457 909090
I will be exploring other websites to check the information being given and will add to this page as I do so.
No comments:
Post a Comment