I'm not an expert, and I don't pretend to be one online
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
United States
February 9, 2017 9:16am CST
Yes, folks, there are many out there who like to think they are experts in many fields...you see it on Facebook and other social sites and I've seen it here also.
I don't give medical advice, except - talk to your doctor. What my health issues are and what I do about them may not fit what your issues are. Therefore, in order not to give bad/wrong/incomplete advice I prefer not to give any.
If you are a doctor or an RN you may be qualified to give advice online, but you can't do so if you have not examined the person. Each person, each case is different.
What got me thinking about this topic was something I read on Facebook a few minutes ago. A person who has little to no gardening experience is going to write a gardening blog (to make money) and is asking people for suggestions for topics. If I want to read about gardening the last person I would look to advice for would be her.
We all have to remember that there are people who read what we write and they take it as the truth or as fact. My father's life was agriculture and he was my gardening teacher - him I could take at his word since it was his job. I can offer suggestions or advice but only based on my experience.
I cannot give you legal, health or financial advice - only suggestions that work for me.
Photo: pixabay.com/en/advice-banner-sign-support-1564095/
22 people like this
23 responses
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
9 Feb 17
YOu can give advice on baking - you're good at that!!!!
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
9 Feb 17
@amadeo You haven't made anyone sick have you LOL - then your a good baker~
@amadeo (111937)
• United States
9 Feb 17
@AbbyGreenhill well not I am good at it.But will give it a shot.
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
9 Feb 17
That's a good point to make. We can tell about our own experiences, but not give expert suggestions for someone else.
2 people like this
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
9 Feb 17
I would hate for something to go wrong and my advice backfire
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (40061)
• Toccoa, Georgia
9 Feb 17
That is true, I can only give suggestions that work for me (on a topic I am not an expert on).
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
9 Feb 17
If we were all experts on many levels we would be off making lots of money someplace LOL!
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (502886)
• Italy
10 Feb 17
I fully agree with you. I have seen so many suggesting to the other which medicines or supplements to take because "it worked for them". We are not robots, what works for someone could be even dangerous for another. I think that for what concerns health the best advice is exactly "go to see your doctor".
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (502886)
• Italy
10 Feb 17
@AbbyGreenhill This is what I think, we cannot know the health history of those who ask for advice, their doctors at least should know.
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
10 Feb 17
Yes, someone would feel awful if they gave 'bad' advice and the person got worse...
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
10 Feb 17
This perso had a domineering attitude, always had since I've known her online since 08. But people are followers and they follow her. I think some are afraid of standing up for themselves since she would turn on the in an instant. She does now everything and tells you so.
1 person likes this
@Unique_Ananya (413)
• India
10 Feb 17
Oh u r so eight.. There are quite sone know it alls.. N u shouldn't pretend to know.. Especially something regarding ur health..
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
10 Feb 17
Health issues should not be messed around with.
1 person likes this
@pumpkinjam (8876)
• United Kingdom
10 Feb 17
Well, I am an expert on everything :P
If you have some knowledge and you think it might help someone, that's OK. Sometimes people will ask for advice on health because they don't want to go to a doctor. You may have had experience with something. I know that I have given and benefited from advice from people who had tried something different or who thought they'd tried everything but I offered a new approach.
I think, as long as you don't claim to be an expert, it's OK to say 'this worked for me' but to do something as you've described and write a blog on something when you have no knowledge, that's not good. Saying that, I've written articles with no previous knowledge of a subject but then I am a very good and thorough researcher!
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
10 Feb 17
It depends on so many variables. I don't want to be responsible for someone getting sicker because they listened to 'advice' from a novice. Right - say I'm no expert so try this at your own risk LOL!
1 person likes this
@mysdianait (66005)
• Italy
9 Feb 17
I am only an expert about me. I can't give advice on anything except situations that I have had to deal with during my life. I can explain what I did to deal with certain things (obstacles included) but that does not mean that I am right, If I am asked for advice about something that I don't know then I just suggest to consult an expert in that particular field.
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
9 Feb 17
Can you tell me how to prevent 'dust' - this is a huge issue and I bet you can help me LOL!
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
9 Feb 17
I don't tell what people to do, but I can tell them what worked for me but just because it works for me, doesn't mean it'll work for others. 
I know what you mean though, some people not knowing the subject will tell someone something and they dont have a certified title to tell someone anything!
I know what you mean though, some people not knowing the subject will tell someone something and they dont have a certified title to tell someone anything!1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
9 Feb 17
And you don't know how bad an outcome there could be - if medical bad medical advice is given and followed.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (91186)
• United States
9 Feb 17
You make a good point. We can only offer advice or suggestions on what we've experienced ourselves.
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
9 Feb 17
I like to stay Switzerland - LOL - neutral in my knowledge!
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
9 Feb 17
Good idea, i don't think I've seen anyone asking for advice other those who need help with the mylot business. but I'm sure some have...My first response when someone is talking about a current health problem I suggest they see their doctor too.
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
9 Feb 17
That's why we have doctors - sometime eve they have a problem diagnosing LOL!
2 people like this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
9 Feb 17
Okay, I'm guilty. I just gave some writing advice. I don't consider myself an expert, but there are a few things I've learned in the art of creative writing.
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
9 Feb 17
Giving writing advice won't kill anyone or make them sick so your ok!
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
13 Feb 17
@just4him I am talking more medical or food prep advice. There are people who say they keep food in the fridge for a week and it's fine....that's not good advice.
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
13 Feb 17
@AbbyGreenhill Whew! I was worried I overstepped my bounds 
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
9 Feb 17
I have no clue about me LOL - I'm a mystery to my husband and to myself also!
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
9 Feb 17
@HazySue I sure keep my husband guessing - just ask him!
1 person likes this
@HazySue (39265)
• Gouverneur, New York
9 Feb 17
@AbbyGreenhill they say a little bit of mystery keeps people interested.
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
9 Feb 17
All advice should be taken with a grain of salt that's all I'm saying. Each person is different. I would not load myself up with vitamins if someone on line told me to.
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
9 Feb 17
At least your SIL knows you and probably has knowledge of your health that makes a difference.
1 person likes this
@dodo19 (48205)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
9 Feb 17
@AbbyGreenhill For sure. It does make a difference. It would be harder if she didn't.
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
9 Feb 17
@dodo19 She would not give you bad info!
1 person likes this
@much2say (57760)
• Los Angeles, California
9 Feb 17
That's so true. I was a part of Yahoo Answers way back, and that place was full of wanna-be experts . . . I know there is a lot of misinformation out there (and everywhere on the internet really). One has to take online advice with a grain of salt - and then do their own research. Get word straight from the horse's mouth . . . make sure it's not from a merry-go-round horse 
!
!@much2say (57760)
• Los Angeles, California
12 Feb 17
@AbbyGreenhill It's a Q&A site . . . I think it started around the time my daughter was born (2005ish) and I got hooked after being on a baby forum for a while. I believe it's still around, but I eventually got disinterested in it - they have the same problems like everyone else with trolls, mean people, and LOTS of misinformation as anyone can answer anyone's questions.
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
9 Feb 17
You got that right. When was Yahoo Answers, it doesn't ring a bell.
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
10 Feb 17
I ask people for their experience, for example, I have panic attacks, I can suggest what helps me, it may or may not help the person I am discussing it with, but it's still potentially useful. but yes, in the end, one really needs to run medical stuff by their doctor.
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
10 Feb 17
I had panic attacks but they only lasted a few months - I don't even remember what or why they stopped.
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
10 Feb 17
You are so right. This person thinks she knows everything about everything. But her blog will be full of stuff she found on line, not stuff she did herself.
@diosabella (4789)
•
9 Feb 17
We certainly give our on opinion on some certain matters especially if we encountered it or do it day by day. But serious health issues and other serious matters should be consulted to professionals. 
You are certainly right. A lot of article over the internet are written by people who doesn't even practice what they were writing. I read the info about the author when half way I'm having doubts in what I'm reading. Sometimes the writer contradicts his/her own article without realizing it and its a red flag for me. 
You are certainly right. A lot of article over the internet are written by people who doesn't even practice what they were writing. I read the info about the author when half way I'm having doubts in what I'm reading. Sometimes the writer contradicts his/her own article without realizing it and its a red flag for me. @AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
9 Feb 17
It sounds like you have a good head on your shoulders and check things out..that's very good!
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
9 Feb 17
@diosabella See you are learning what not to believe. That you have to check and double check sources.
1 person likes this
@diosabella (4789)
•
9 Feb 17
@AbbyGreenhill Thank you! I love to read. Some might find it boring but reading articles that interest me is my hobby. Over the years I read a lot of articles over the internet that says "Expert finds out etc etc" that contradicts the last study that I read before just to find out that the article's title contradicts the end base which means I just wasted my time reading the latest fad. 
1 person likes this
