So how do I ask or answer a question?

Hi wonderful community Rumple here I am the leader of the QandA team and today we are gonna look at a new way of asking questions and also answering them.

So, why is it necessary to ask questions and answer them in a better way?

As many of you know all the questions asked/answered come up on google. People that are not on 7cups may have a mental health question and UP comes 7cups QandA question/answer. Here is an example:

"Why can't I force myself to go to class?"

This question is asked by a member. Now let's see how it looks like on Google:

So you see every question that the team approves goes right to Google-amazing right

Here are some examples of how NOT to ask a question.

Examples:

"Wondering do I love him or not?"

"How do I do this!"

"My emotionally abusive gf is ignoring me and it hurts so bad I love him and cant leave him?"

These 3 examples are good questions and important- but they need to be longer questions. By adding more information ensures a better response. Make sure the question is a question. Like the 3rd example, there is no question. Too short of questions makes it harder to determine how to answer right. And we want everyone's questions to get validation and approvedSo let's try and get these 3 questions improved some!

1. "Wondering do I love him or not?"

"I am having these feelings about whether or not I love my boyfriend or not. How can I for sure tell if I do or don't?"

2. "How do I do this!"

I just started college and I have a full time job that helps me pay for my car. I am having trouble managing my time. How can I fulfill both things?"

3. "My emotionally abusive gf is ignoring me and it hurts so bad I love him and cant leave him?"

"My emotionally abusive girlfriend is ignoring me and it hurts a lot. I really do love her and don't want to leave. What are some things I can do?"

These are the guidelines we use to Approve the questions and answers:

Here is the guidelines on why your question/answer would be rejected:

***We are also adding this NEW guideline to approving and answering questions***

We are seeing many answers answered with a bit of personal information being shared. And that is okWe want to have more empathy in our answers, kinda like "connecting" with the person who is asking the question. So as long as you share a little of your experience and not adding to much details or advice, stay on topic making sure you are focusing on the person's question, a bit of personal sharing is now approved.

Now let's look at how we can answer these questions showing a bit more empathy, clarity and also sharing a bit of personal experiences without giving advice.

"What are alternative ways besides medication to deal with the physical symptoms of anxiety?"

"I know for me, I do not take medications for my anxiety symptoms. But that is me and some do need some medications to just focus and not let anxity take over their days. I do mindfulness exercises as well as planting, craft things. I also talk about it with people I trust and support me. I'm wondering is there any thing that you like to do that brings you happiness? If so I say try and do those things that helps you to feel calmer and lesson those anxiety symptoms. "

"How do I get over the feeling of people abandoning me?"

"I don't know if the feeling of abandonment really ever leaves a person. I know for me I first shared my fears with a few trusted frinds I had. From their they taught and showed me love, consistancy, honesty and just being there for me. Maybe you can develope some trusted friendships and share on your fears. Those friends can show in their behaviors to you on consistancy and not want to hurt you or abandone you. They will show understanding on your fears. I wish you the best."

Here's how we DO-NOT answer questions:

"What are alternative ways besides medication to deal with the physical symptoms of anxiety?"

"You have to take medicines to handle anxieties.Also face up to your fears in life. In order to get over anxiety you need to face it!"

(We do not answer like this there is no compassion/empathy shown. And again "telling" the person what they should do instead of suggesting some things and letting the person figure out if it will work for them)

"How do I get over the feeling of people abandoning me?"

"You should tell those people what they are doing to you is wrong. How what they are doing makes you feel. The only way to stopping this is sharing how it affects you."

(We do not answer this way as it's advice giving, no empathy. The person answering this is giving only 1 way possible to handle on this person's situation)

I do hope this information helps you all out more on answers and asking questions

@dancingalong@originallove71@caringbrit@electricsmoke@melallyouneedislove@emmur@caringheart23@niamh333

@allnaturalcomfort82@bear228@enchantra@tinugeorge@akshita0612@laura@glenn@itsmichelle@mysteriousdreamer76

@emily619@AffyAvo@pureriver55@enchxntedrose@alexa43@melsue84

Please if you have any questions do pm me. I'm also an ATL @rumplesteeleskin