This is education, not medical advice
Everything on this website is general health education. It is not medical advice, and it is not a substitute for care from a qualified professional who knows your situation.
I’m a registered mental health nurse. Writing here does not create a nurse–patient or clinician–patient relationship between us. I don’t know your history, your medications, your circumstances or your risks — and without those, nobody can safely tell you what you specifically should do.
What I cannot do
I cannot, and will not:
- Diagnose you or anyone else
- Tell you what your symptoms mean in your specific case
- Advise you to start, stop or change any medication
- Tell you that you don’t need to see a doctor
- Recommend a specific treatment for your situation
This applies everywhere — in posts, in emails, in comments, in messages on social media. If you ask me an individual clinical question, I’ll answer the general educational version and point you back to your own clinician. That isn’t me being unhelpful; it’s the boundary that makes anything I say trustworthy.
Always talk to your own clinician
Before acting on anything you read here, speak to your own doctor, nurse, pharmacist or therapist — particularly before changing medication, starting a supplement, or making decisions about your treatment.
Never delay seeking professional advice, or disregard advice you’ve been given, because of something you read on this site.
Services differ between countries
I write for an international readership. Health systems, laws, medication availability, and what happens at an appointment vary considerably between countries. Where I describe how something works, treat it as a general picture, and check the specifics where you live.
In an emergency
If you are in immediate danger, or you are thinking of harming yourself, do not wait. Contact your local emergency number, go to your nearest emergency department, or contact a crisis line in your country now.
Crisis services differ by country, so I’d rather you use one you know is available to you than one I’ve named from a distance. If you don’t know what’s available where you are, an emergency number or hospital will direct you.
Accuracy
I write carefully, cite sources where relevant, and correct things when I get them wrong. But medical understanding changes, guidelines are updated, and older posts may not reflect current recommendations. Check the date on anything you rely on.
Contact
Questions about this disclaimer: thelma@thelmaakotoye.com
Last updated: 31 August 2026