Pseudonyms

I've had a pseudonym on here since I first joined (I know it wasn't all that long ago and I haven't made that many posts). But what's your opinion on NOT having one? If I reveal my real name, and it's likely that my dad might read this forum sometime in the future (though I think I can get away with it being "for Psychology homework" or something) then he'll find everything out. There'll be some form of a confrontation between my parents and I, they'll treat me as if I'm crazy, etc. etc.

But...I'm not in any position to tell my parents about my problems yet, so if at any point they do find out what's going on, it MAY be a push in the right direction? They confront me about it all, we finally have a conversation about it, I perhaps get their support, and I go to the doctor's.

Is it worth the trouble of people (friends, relatives) possibly finding out your problems online if you reveal who you really are?

x

No, it is not worth the trouble if the people irl find out who you are

Keep your pseudonym, make it harder, move your place & dates

I don't use my real name when in on line support/therapy groups. Even my email addess I use for registering is not my private one but one I use for the on line groups. I do tell my therapists and certain friends how to find me on the groups I am in. Its not worth the recognition for me. like other domestic violence persons It would literally mean my death if certain relatives found me.

I don't share my real name at all. One can always hope to change... if you drag around things you share that others can bring back onto you, it doesn't help the change, imo. If one can't feel comfortable sharing when they use their real name, I'm not sure one can obtain the greatest amount of support. But that's just my opinion.

It's not that hard to figure out what my real name is. For the longest time I used a pseudonym but decided that for me it was easier just to use this. There are certain people that I wouldn't want to know what I talk about in here so I just don't let them know I come in here. I have told my T about this place and he's checked it out but I don't think has ever read any of my posts or if he has he didn't say anything. I'm wierd and tend to just lay it all out on the table anyway so I don't mind people reading what I say.

Jbug

I rarely share my real name online at all...and if somebody finds it out, it completely shocks me to see my real name...like my real name is connected to this bad part of me or something...just really strange stuff.

I wouldn't reveal your real name online, though, if you feel it would cause a lot of problems for you IRL.

I think that after a while, your pseudonym BECOMES your real name. I have friends from online groups that I've known for years, and now when I see them in person or talk on the phone, I'm still LMo.

I don't have a problem with people knowing my name, though. However, I can understand that some of you with harsh backgrounds would want to remain private, and I completely respect that.

I have pseudonyms, and there are a few sites where people only know me by that name. Somehow, it makes me feel safer, knowing that they're not really judging me so much as judging the pseudonym itself.