[jvklaus]

I don't know if I am being paranoid or if I am being cynical or what. I'm a new member; I became a member in April. I have reached out to others in their introductions and in their posts, and I have had others help me as well. I like to think my contributions are as helpful to others' as others are theirs are to me.

One thing I have come across is people saying they are glad to be here because they love psychology or because they are taking a class or whatever. Are these forums places where people study us and pick us apart for their own academic interests? Are we being studied in some experiment? While I have found support here, posts about people loving psychology or whatever makes me feel like I am a lab rat or something. I don't know. Am I being paranoid or unreasonable?

You have a point.

[Thunder Bow]

Maybe we are Lab Rats here?

[lilypeppermint]

Well I think people come here for a lot of reasons but they stay for the community, maybe? I think I’m less concerned about people who say that and those who join and just lurk and don’t post?

I know I feel a bit odd that it’s on the open internet. I use another forum that’s password protected / members only and I feel a bit safer there somehow. Silly perhaps but there you go. .

[Travelinglady]

I have no doubt that some people "sneak in" to see what we have to say, to "research" us, but the monitors keep an eye out the best they can. People are supposed to come here because they have needs or concerns related to mental illness or relationships, as far as I understand. I would hate to think I'm being quoted in some term paper for a psychology class, but how could that be prevented?

[Deejay14]

It's not hard to get on a password protected site. How do they actually validate what th poster tells them. They only have the info the poster gives them. I am on a FB page that is a closed group for the ostomy I have. Don't think I would have bothered to join if I never had the surgery but the owner of the page only ones what I told him. I don't think there are many posters here at all that have no mental health or physical health concerns. Don't lose sleep over it!

[*Laurie*]

I haven't seen many people at all who say they are here because of an interest in mental illness, but are not themselves mentally ill. Personally, I would much rather be part of a study that educates and helps than have members who stir the pot and get their kicks doing so.

[jvklaus]

Originally Posted by Travelinglady

I have no doubt that some people "sneak in" to see what we have to say, to "research" us, but the monitors keep an eye out the best they can. People are supposed to come here because they have needs or concerns related to mental illness or relationships, as far as I understand. I would hate to think I'm being quoted in some term paper for a psychology class, but how could that be prevented?

That is how I feel too. I do not want to believe people are here for such reasons, but some of the posts make we wonder if that is the case. I think some people do and given that scenario, I would rather them not make posts about psychology classes or being here because they love psychology. In my short time here, I have seen such posts. It just makes me wonder.

We wouldn’t make valid subjects. I’ve seen our own members discuss that certain other members are fakers or attention seekers. How would anyone discern what is real?

Originally Posted by jvklaus

I don't know if I am being paranoid or if I am being cynical or what. I'm a new member; I became a member in April. I have reached out to others in their introductions and in their posts, and I have had others help me as well. I like to think my contributions are as helpful to others' as others are theirs are to me.

One thing I have come across is people saying they are glad to be here because they love psychology or because they are taking a class or whatever. Are these forums places where people study us and pick us apart for their own academic interests? Are we being studied in some experiment? While I have found support here, posts about people loving psychology or whatever makes me feel like I am a lab rat or something. I don't know. Am I being paranoid or unreasonable?

Even if people are studied for experiments, so what?
It's always been known humanity has a dogmatic part in it.
Even if someone were to work, they could question workplaces and wonder if they're actually enslaving many people for the benefits of the very few.
Same concept.

I can tell you I knew someone (Person I) who was supposed to be a friend but when I heard he'd "have an interest in psychology" which his friend (Person II) mentioned regarding a drama Person I made because they were uninvited (because they (Person I) are a douche), the red alarms started.
I'd see Person I choosing to manipulate at times, although my fighting would make them fail at times. It was pleasurable

[Wild Coyote]

The forums are open to the public. People don't have to join to read what's here. If anyone is uncomfortable with this fact, they may want to think twice.

Do whatever helps and brings you peace.


WC