Q :: I was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder the other day. What should I take, ZOLOFT or PAXIL?
A :: I don't know. Consult a doctor, preferably a good psychiatrist who's familiar with these head meds.
***Q :: Are you one of those types who thinks that everything can be cured by a magic bullet pill?
A :: Uh, no. My opinion that health of the entire body has biological, psychological, and societal elements. Other chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease can't be treated solely by pills; they also require dietary and miscellaneous lifestyle modifications. Similarly, most if not all neurological and psychiatric illnesses require some form or another of environmental change and/or therapy.
***Q :: Where do you get all your information from?
A :: Much of the information contained within this site will be derived from previously published material (textbooks, journal articles, peer-reviewed online news and medical articles) regarding the field. Another major source of information for me are the prescribing information (PI) leaflets, containing detailed doctor-oriented information written under the eye of the US FDA by the manufacturers of their respective drugs. I'll be citing my sources generally at the end of each unit or subunit.
***Q :: Are any of your sources consumer-friendly (i.e., would they be easy for me to read)?
A :: Indeed, many are. I'll link to them (and other consumer-friendly resources) at the end of each unit, as I will do with the rest of my sources.
***Q :: Will you discuss anecdotes and/or single case studies?
A :: Yes, but mostly for entertainment value. Take these with a few bags of salt.
***Q :: What about speculations and conclusions?
A :: I'll suggest you to draw your own at the appropriate times. I did have here before that I wouldn't try and draw conclusions, but many of the questions I get asked are about relatively-unknown biological aspects of these meds (e.g., questions about the biology of suicidal risk with antidepressants). To find an explanation, I have to do some research reviewing and conclude by myself an answer to the problem. So yes, sometimes, I'll have to draw conclusions in order to help you along. I'll alert you to when I have to do speculation, and take any pure speculation I do with a few truckloads of salt.
***Q :: I've found errors in your writing. May I correct you?
A :: Certainly. After surviving a bout with chronic meningitis, I'm still recovering my verbal skills, so I appreciate any copy-editing input (Contact info is linked on the About page.) However, I can't guarantee you anything in return beyond giving credit to you for your correction.
***Q :: I've looked through your HTML, PHP, and CSS code... It's all HORRIBLE!!! Universal body styles, implicit closures, improper use of separators, fixed-width pages... and the list goes on and on! You can't tell W3C-standard coding from your own arse!
A :: I do understand the conniptions of y'all computer geeks, but I'm a biologist and a writer... not a website designer who adheres to perfect coding practice. So get used to it.
***Q :: You just used the term "y'all", did you know that?
A :: I was born and raised in the deep South of the US, get used to it.
***Q :: So, genius boy, what's the difference between "neurologic" and "psychiatric"?
A :: Quite frankly, I have no idea...
Q :: Oooh, one more thing... may I pull the emergency rooster?
A :: No. That is not allowed.
Well, okay, in the event of a real emergency, you can pull on it.
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