heres how the ignore list works...

example if I put you on ignore. I can not see anything you have posted all I see is the statement .... this person is on your ignore list to see what they posted remove them from your list.

I make a thread about dissociation
you try posting to me and cant because I have you on ignore. all that you will get is a statement saying... you are on this persons ignore list, you can not post in their thread.

but the dissociative issue in my thread is something you feel you want to discuss so you start your own thread on the same issue. you are not prevented from discussing the issue you cant discuss in my thread.

now take this a step further

a person called Hearts (made up name for this example) makes a thread about dissociation..

even though I have you on ignore both you and I can post with in the thread by Heart because Heart does not have either one of us on their ignore list. but I will not see what you have posted because you are on my ignore list.

it is a protection for the person using the ignore list but not a punishment for the one being put on the list. it doesnt prevent others from having full access to the boards, and doesnt limit what they can and cant post about they just cant post with in any thread that you have started.

ignore also makes it so that a person can not private message you. they message you but you do not receive their messages. you do not see what they have messaged you.

they can post on your visitor message area in your profile, but you can shut your visitor messages off so that those that you do want contact from will send you private messages and you will not get any messages from someone who you have on ignore.

edit forgot to add.... the only way you can reply to someone you have on your ignore list is if you take them off ignore. (cant reply to something you can not see )