I hear you, Archipelago.

Ever since the time I tried to edit a post here that had TMI for my comfort, I have been more cautious with putting personal stuff out there because i found out you can't edit a post here after 4 hours. Ever since, I am trying very hard to be less open while still maintaining enough balance to engage in conversation/try to be supportive of others. I don't think I'd write here at all if I was a T or planned to be one. I am gracious that others don't feel this way (it's nice to have you here too).

No, I don't think anyone would come here to look for me either, but it's easier than you think to find out someone's identity when you are not even looking. All I have to do is mention something like my "father died last night" and someone, a co-worker perhaps, might think-oh, my coworker's father died last night. They would only have to read 3 or 4 of my posts (maybe) to figure out it's me. It could be as simple as "I just returned from vacation last night and finally get to see my T"...

Also, in addition to the sensitive nature of our conversations, there's still too much mental health stigma to be open. I think it's ok after you've become famous, ie, Marsha Linehan...you're already accomplished and have less to lose. People tend to admire you at that point and talk about how courageous you are. Unsuccessful, maybe that's the case too, but I just don't see it. There is a lot of stigma in the MH field itself, and especially in the health care field, unfortunately.

I also try to be discreet with quoting others' words. If you are responding to one point or question made by the OP, there's no need to quote their entire thread in the response. I'll just quote the sentence or phrase. Not that there's anything wrong with quoting the whole post, it's just I'm more sensitive to protecting others' privacy too.

Aside from that, I am most worried of having a hypomanic or dissociative episode and saying way too much, not really being in control when it happens. Because of that, I write much less here than I want to.