 | This is an essay. It contains the advice or opinions of one or more Wikipedia contributors. This page is not an encyclopedia article, nor is it one of Wikipedia's policies or guidelines, as it has not been thoroughly vetted by the community. Some essays represent widespread norms; others only represent minority viewpoints. |
 | This page in a nutshell: Practice being sensible, sane, and productive, but know that your psychological state is not an acceptable excuse for disruptive editing. |
Wikipedia is not therapy. It does not exist for the purpose of letting people practice occupational therapy skills, such as using computers, typing, organizing information, or working with others. If an editor has behavioral problems that disrupt the collective work of creating a useful, encyclopedic reference, then the editor's participation in Wikipedia may be restricted or banned. These problems may be caused by personal immaturity, an inability to properly apply Wikipedia's policies, poor social skills, or other reasons.
Editors with mental disorders often make valuable contributions to Wikipedia and collaborate with other Wikipedians. Editors with disorders should not be banned from Wikipedia simply because of their disorders.
Nevertheless, all editors must be able to perform the essential functions of working together in a constructive and collegial manner. Those who engage in disruptive or antisocial behavior may be blocked or banned, even if that behavior is partially or wholly caused by a disability. Except in extreme cases, editors are not blocked before problems have been patiently discussed. However, if disruptive behavior is not controlled, ultimately the community will protect the encyclopedia by restricting the editor's participation in the project.