[A.Lone]

Granted this is a large, worldwide website and depression support group, but I'm a bit paranoid (maybe more than a bit) that people I know in life will see what I post and recognize me. Sorry, but I don't want people who know me seeing what I post - I want to be annonymous here. I even changed my screen name to prevent any recognition. Even in PM's, I sometimes wonder...

How can I learn to trust people here? I would prefer to be open with my feelings but see myself holding back on some things.

Any advice?

[Travelinglady]

Actually we encourage people not to use their real names, and most folks don't. Nobody can read PM's except the people involved.

Just be careful about what you share with life details. Don't be too specific and use made-up names and places. (You can change the details about yourself any time.) For example, if you say, "My husband is a plumber, and we have two boys and a girl, and I live in 'Timbucktoo,' Kansas," then that would be too much information.

Does that help any?

[A.Lone]

It does help a bit, but as part of an old song says (can't remember the song), "Paranoia runs deep!" Is there anything in my profile you can see which may need changing?

Thanks!

Originally Posted by A.Lone

It does help a bit, but as part of an old song says (can't remember the song), "Paranoia runs deep!" Is there anything in my profile you can see which may need changing?

Thanks!

"Paranoia runs deep, into your life it will creep" is from "For what it's worth" by Buffalo Springfield isn't it? (sorry, I got a little sidetracked there ).

Yeah, I don't know, I think the pseudonym works well enough, but I also take it, everybody in my life is so much happier than me, so it's unlikely they'll ever be on a site like this . Also, they don't notice anything in me anyway, so it's unlikely they'll ever identify my posts, because they wouldn't expect it to be me . My parents are also old fashioned, my dad doesn't even know how to switch on a PC, so I think I'm safe for now .

Many hugs

I get your paranoia, I actually had to leave another forum because my family found out who I was. But the only reason they found out was because they knew I was using that particular forum and all they had to do was read a few posts until they found one that sounded like me.

Since using this one I have been so much more careful to make sure no one knows where I am posting. I have passwords on everything and delete my browser history quite regularly. And I do feel safe here, been here a year now without getting found out

But yes as long as you give no specific details about you and others in your life it will be very hard for people to trace your posts back to you.

[Altered Moment]

I have had the same concerns. My username is one I have used in the past and my family knows I participate on this site. It makes me not want to talk about family when I feel I need to. If they looked and since they know that username and that I use this site they could probably figure it out. I don't care anymore though.

I think Travelinglady advice is the best. The reality is you are very anonymous here unless you give specific details about someone or where you live or something like that. Otherwise how could anyone possibly figure it out.

Originally Posted by A.Lone

It does help a bit, but as part of an old song says (can't remember the song), "Paranoia runs deep!" Is there anything in my profile you can see which may need changing?

Thanks!

Also, as long as "A.Lone" is not a mix or corruption of your real name/initials, etc. then you should be fine I guess.

[glok]

Hello, A.Lone. http://forums.psychcentral.com/new-m...time-here.html