Anxiety/Panic Disorders Chat

Channel Guidelines

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Overview

Persons who have anxiety disorders are welcome to participate in chats occurring on #anx/pan.  Depending on various factors, people with other disorders or people who know others with anxiety disorders may be welcome.

The basic idea of #anx/pan is to have a safe place for those who have anxiety disorders to chat, share experiences and generally support one another.  The following guidelines are meant to help provide this safe place. If you follow common courtesy and come to #anx/pan with the idea of chatting with others with anxiety disorders, you will be unlikely to breach any of these guidelines.

New ComersGoto Top

New comers to the channel will usually be asked a series of questions.  The three questions are, "Are you new to #anx/pan", "Do you have an anxiety disorder", and "Have you read the guidelines".   All new comers are asked these questions and are expected to respond.

General BehaviorGoto Top

It is natural to want to know about the people with whom you are chatting.  However, we discourage people, especially newcomers, from asking Questions that are personal or might be interpreted with suspicion.  These are questions such as age, gender and specific location.  General location questions are OK, but some people might prefer to not respond.  You can try stating something about yourself and then others might respond in kind.  Questions about another persons disorder are expected, but if that person seems reluctant to give much detail, it is best to let it go.  Insisting on any personal information, except by an operator, might result in action by an operator.  On rare occasions an operator might ask these questions, but this will usually be done off channel through a "query" or DCC chat.

#anx/pan is a support channel, so naturally, things that are detrimental or actively detract from support are not allowed.  These are things like flaming others, abusive behavior, posting #anx/pan discussions elsewhere and having any part of your IRC ID, including your nick, be offensive.

An IRC ID is considered offensive if it is sexually explicit in some way, or  contains slurs against any group of people including, ethnic or religious groups.

In rare cases, the activities of a person in public areas outside of #anx/pan might be considered as cause for a ban.

IdlingGoto Top

Having a person at channel who doesn't say anything for extended periods can be anxiety producing for some.  We understand that people need to take care of things on occasion and that sometimes a newer person feels more comfortable watching more than participating, so excessive idle time will be determined at the time of occurrence.  Many factors will apply and include things like, the newness of the idler, the number of new comers at channel, complaints about someone idling.

Coming to channel and not speaking at all is not permitted at anytime.  If you have been idling for more than 30 minutes or so after a period of talking, then you might be asked by an operator if you are still "present".  Failure to respond in a reasonable time might result in a "good natured" kick from channel.  Rejoin when you available to chat.

If you know you will be away for a long period, then you might consider leaving and coming back when you are ready to chat.  For shorter but significant periods, consider changing your nick so it ends with "-AFK" (Away From Keyboard".  It's considered polite to let other chatters know you will be away by typing something like, "BRB" (Be Right Back).

Religion/Politics/AdvertisingGoto Top

Needless to say, some topics of discussion can be controversial and can be anxiety provoking for some people.  In general, topics such as religion and politics should be avoided.  If these topics are germane to the discussion, then they should be mostly statements about yourself.  Preaching or sermonizing are strictly forbidden.

Any form of commercial advertising is prohibited.   This can include someone pitching a particular form of therapy, company or group, even when there is no monetary gain.  Discussions that cross the line from relating what has worked for you into selling/exhorting/pushing a therapy or item will be determined at the appropriate time.

Dating/CybersexGoto Top

Anyone joining channel for the primary purpose of dating, flirting and/or finding a cybersex partner will be subject to action by an operator.

Joining Multiple ChannelsGoto Top

In order to facilitate adherence to other guidelines and reduce the possibility of mistakes having an effect on other people in channel, joining certain other types of channels while at #anx/pan is prohibited.   These are primarily channels that promote or encourage discussions that are otherwise discouraged or not allowed at #anx/pan.  Some singles channels are included in this list.

Action usually consists of a friendly warning by an operator.  However, it is possible that an operator will determine that an immediate "kick" is warranted.

SuicideGoto Top

Discussion about suicide presents a problem for the channel.  Such discussions can produce anxiety in others and there are rarely doctors or other mental health specialists at the channel.  If you feel suicidal, then you should contact a doctor or at least call someone for help.  This web site provides a list of suicide hotline phone numbers if you do feel suicidal.

Depending on circumstances, discussion of having felt suicidal might be permitted.  Discussion of suicide methods is always prohibited.

Porn/Warez/DrugsGoto Top

#anx/pan is not for the purpose of exchanging any kind of binary files, including programs and pictures.  Persons joining for the purpose of finding files for exchange are subject to an immediate kick.   On occasion, a person on channel might have a picture to share and that is permissible.  Please ask others if they wish to receive such a file before trying to send it.

Selling drugs on channel, legal or illegal is prohibited.

Operator ActionsGoto Top

#anx/pan has operators whose primary purpose is to keep #anx/pan safe.  The actions an operator will take upon a breach of these guidelines depends on circumstances, but usually the actions will consist of reminding someone of the guidelines and encouraging them to act appropriately.  Failure to abide by the guidelines can result in a "kick" from channel, and a temporary or even permanent ban from #anx/pan.  In a very few cases, a person whose motives are determined to be detrimental to #anx/pan or its visitors, will be immediately banned without discussion, or even have a preemptory ban placed.

A "kick" from channel is an IRC term that only means that a particular person is removed from the channel.  Since some IRC programs are set to automatically rejoin a channel, a second kick might be necessary combined with a ban to prevent auto-rejoining.

Being "kicked" from channel can happen for various reasons.  Sometimes it might be necessary to "kick" a person in a good natured way.  Simply rejoin when the reason for the "kick" has been acted upon.  Gross offenses will usually have the "kick" combined with a ban, either temporary or permanent.

Actions by the operators are subject to scrutiny, with the final decision being made by the channel "Founder".  "Founder" is a Starchat term used to indicate the channel owner.  Please direct any questions about the channel guidelines or operator actions to the "Founder".   You can also try to reach the Founder on Starchat with the nick of "drrhodes" during channel sessions.  Use the "query" command instead of DCC chat.


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Last change: 2003-10-19