Why do people think that, we the Yahoo answers community, can diagnose their problems on answers?

Question

They give us the details and think we can help. What's up with that? I know sometimes people can help and offer advice. But seriously when people say they are bleeding or have a severe injury and want to know what to do, are they really sitting at home at their computer bleeding and have a broken bone piercing their skin? Just wondered.

Answer 1

Because we're all brilliant diagnosticians, capable of discerning all their problems from a handful of poorly-written sentences.

Who needs medical school? We've watched enough episodes of ER and Scrubs to prescribe the proper course of treatment.

Answer 2

I've wondered that, too. I think it all goes back to insecurity and self-doubt. Likely the people asking questions about the gruesome injury they've just received just never think for themselves or have gotten in trouble/yelled at for doing the "wrong" thing. My dad was a jerk, and I used to (and sometimes still do) try to get everyones approval. Which is impossible. So, I have to remember that you can't please everyone all the time, and just move on. Other people - when faced with a crisis - literally can't think. "Deer in headlights." Do I run? Do I stay? Will this get better? Is this normal? Help me! What do I do!?? Part of the problem is the insecurity/self-doubt, but I think the other part is fear of making a decision that other people would find odd and, therefore, make us feel stupid for doing what we thought was right.

The thing is, there are only so many people you can please without losing your "self". I think the people who cry out for attention here are either literally frozen and don't know what to do, or they just need a kind word from someone - anyone - to make them feel they aren't alone. I do think some people make up the illness or injuries, but I don't think it's all of them. I think most are after attention and I wonder how many have Munchhausen syndrome.
http://www.clevelandclinic.org/health/health-info/docs/2800/2821.asp?index=9833
My guess is people around the attention-seeker are tired of dealing with the drama. But I guess we'll never know for sure. So, I treat every "possible" illness or injury as if it were a legitimate "I don't know what to do, help me" question. If it's obviously fake and the person intends for you to figure it out, I answer in an appropriate manner (LOL or You're making this up, or even, make a joke relating to what they said. I've only had one complaint about a joke when I thought the person wasn't for real. I still think that person was too "tender hearted" to accept advice that rubbed them the wrong way. But I'll probably never know that, either.)

Answer 3

It's frustrating, I agree. It's the same thing regardless of the question like asking what to do if a dog ripped off all your cats legs. Duh, right?

Well, often times, a cut or something piercing your skin is not that big of a deal. You must be young. Heck, even a broken toe or finger does not mean you have to go to the doctor. I broke my finger, snapped it back into place myself, then taped it to my other finger using a wooden stick as a splint. It's exactly what they would have done at the doctors, except it would have cost me $500 as opposed to $6.75 buying the tape and ibuprofin. My finger is doing great, by the way. When I went for my yearly check-up, the doctor was impressed.

If people would just take an EMT course (it'll cost you $50 at your local community college), they would learn a lot of things they can do to help themselves.

Me? I believe in all-natural remedies first. I do a mix of holistic and traditional. I have two conditions that require medical monitoring from a doctor (thyroid and mild cancers). I do everything I can to avoid the doctor (with the exception of my quarterly blood tests for thyroid and my yearly cancer consults). Everything else I take care of myself. I take vitamins, exercise, etc.

A lot of people don't have health insurance (I don't), so the reason they are asking their silly questions is this.... If there is any way they can fix it without going to their doctor, they would rather save the money.

Answer 4

I think it's good there is an open forum here for people to ask all kinds of questions. Doctors may know the text book stuff but the actual people can tell first hand experiences. Getting opinions from other people is awesome too cuz it teache's people things the might not have known. Obviously it's always a good idea to go to your doctor and speak to them. And there is a comfort in asking people and not doctors. If one as some serious illness/broken bone etc and doesn't go to the doctors that is his/her own fault. We are not here to diagnose people, just give advice, opinions and personal experience

Answer 5

i think of there are some factors for individuals doing that, yet i contemplate whether a brilliant sort of the cases that is somebody grossly exaggerating their concern. they have twisted their ankle and do not know if it ought to possibly be broken. they like somebody to tell them what they ought to do yet they like it to sound dramatic, so their twisted ankle will become a bone piercing their pores and skin. i think of specifically circumstances, additionally, they in basic terms would be making all of it up. stunning, i know. some human beings crave sympathy, and it particularly is a great communicate board for that because of the fact they do no longer ought to do plenty appearing for a stay objective marketplace. i think of that is nice while human beings ask the ought to-I-be-frightened? questions. you are able to generally get stable information.

Answer 6

I seriously doubt they are bleeding to death. I believe most of the time they are exaggerating and just wanting attention, just trying to see if they can get a rise out of people. It's pretty silly if you ask me.

I guess people will do anything for attention, even if it is over the Internet.

Answer 7

They think we can diagnose their problems because they are looking for someone to give the answer they want to hear so they can justify their own thoughts... or possibly they would like somone to open up their own thoughts ... I think it's good to ask questions and get opinions.. it may actually help someone.

Answer 8

Guess they're hoping to avoid a trip to the doctor, or, have a need to talk and don't have a friend.

Answer 9

We don't have the answers. They just like to have us fetch information for them, regardless of validity.

Answer 10

Duma$$e$. But it gives you something to do.