[whisperslf]

Hello and Peace of Mind to all.
Are any of you here getting invitation emails from MINDSZ.COM since you registered at psych central? I do not like it. it is infringing on my privacy!! I went to the site and there is no way to email anyone in charge to even find out WHO they are. I was under the impression that our emails were private here???? In 7 years I have never received any unwanted or uninvited Email until signing up here! So PLEASE STOP IT!! or at least let your identity be known. The site has no information. No way to find out who is running it, let alone your purpose except to exploit vulnerable human beings for your own unknown purpose. So until you can create a safer place JUST STOP IT!

[spiritual_emergency]

<blockquote>
Hello whispers.
Could you provide a bit more information about the problem you are having. I wasn't clear on where and how the problem was originating. Please clarify...

- You are receiving email in your mailbox at psychcentral inviting you to join the mindsz.com forum comminuty.

- You are receiving email in a mailbox not connected to psychcental (i.e., hotmail, yahoo, etc.), inviting you to join the mindsz.com forum community.

- You are a member of the mindsz.com community and are receiving email in your mailbox there that you have reason to believe is connected to someone here at psychcentral.

I've been participating, off and on, at psychcentral for a few years and to the best of my knowledge, I've not received any mail soliticitations as a result. However, a few minutes ago I registered at the mindsz.com forum community and during the registration process I noticed there was an option to accept emails from other members. [This can be changed by going into your Profile and Account Settings.]

If you are a registered member of mindsz.com and you opted to receive email from other members, it's possible that someone there is sending out mail to the mindsz.com community. This could be a specific individual or it might be a bot program that automatically sends out spam. I assume that this mail would be sent to the mail account that you registered with.

Psychcentral might have a similar feature but it's been so long since I joined, I can't remember. I'll check out my own profile options and let you know.

No way to find out who is running it, let alone your purpose except to exploit vulnerable human beings for your own unknown purpose.

The site host of psychcentral is John Grohol. Somewhere around here is some information related to the community guidelines which covers points such as member privacy. I'll try to see if I can find you a link with more information about the founder and the community itself. I'll also let you know if I receive any spam mail as a result of registering at mindsz.com.

[spiritual_emergency]

<blockquote>
Here's the links...

- John Grohol: Bio

- Community Guidelines

- Privacy Policy

I hope this helps.

[whisperslf]

SE,
To the rescue as always, sorry
I am NOT a member of mindsz . I just started getting email from them at my private email at msn. I do not know who they are or where they got my email address from. I have turned off all contact info here at psych central this morning. the emails came over the weekend. I had never heard of them. There is no way to find out who they are and if you have info on them I would appreciate it if you would share it. I will stop panicking as I have developed trust in you and if you are a member this brings me some relief I just feel they are going about it in the wrong way. Just as I run when the phone rings or someone rings my door bell this sent me into the self protection mode. who are they?? again sorry for panicking.

[whisperslf]

OK...done my own detective work and as far as I can tell on this persons MYSPACE is that this person is going by the name Christine/Calvin (one in the same) from Tampa? She is looking for "Schizophrenics" to join her site. she is also looking for someone to go swimming and have drinks with.
SE correct me if I am wrong. She may have better results by not calling persons who suffer from what science has labeled schizophrenia, QUOTE "LOOKING FOR SCHIZOPHRENICS". she also may have a better chance by going to her local bar. I am here for help and education. yes is good to socialize because it can become a lonely existence for sure I belong to that group. But I think it is time for me to go back into hibernation. Maybe I am missing something in this attempt to heal thy self?? I wish you all peace of mind. I would still like to know how this person got a hold of my email address if not for reading here at Psych Central??????????????????????????????????????

[spiritual_emergency]

<blockquote>
whispers: I do not know who they are or where they got my email address from. I have turned off all contact info here at psych central this morning. the emails came over the weekend. I had never heard of them. There is no way to find out who they are and if you have info on them I would appreciate it if you would share it.

I'm guessing that there may be people here who are members of both communities (just as I now am) and it's possible, someone thought you could benefit from the information that site offered so they sent you an invitation. That's just a guess on my part, I don't know for sure. Regardless, their intention was probably good. If that's the case, it would probably be best for that individual to simply contact you and let you know so you don't have to worry about who it was and why they contacted you.

Meantime, these articles may also be of use to you:

- Staying Safe Online

- Internet 101: There's some good info here regarding spam email.

- You Can't Be Anonymous Online If You...: This article was written by the site host and founder, John Grohol.

There are many discussion forums on the internet and all of them vary in policies and guidelines. I've yet to find one that's perfect however, for the most part, I've had no difficulties with the participants at this site and in particular, participants in this topic discussion (Schizophrenia & Psychosis). I did have one individual here send me some threatening email once though. I told them I wanted no further contact with them (my tolerance for bullying behavior is very low), blocked them, and that was the end of their capacity to annoy me. They don't take part in the discussions in this topic and this is largely the only forum I participate in so it works out just fine.

Should you have any problems here I would urge you to block the member (they will not be able to send you email and you will not be able to read their posts) and alert a moderator to the problem so they can be aware of the history. You can also take steps to educate yourself so you can create a safer online experience for yourself.

There are no 100% guarantees but using an anonymous username, being careful about specific details you share, and making use of filtering options (such as removing the option for others to send mail to your private mailbox) can help make your online experience more enjoyable and less stressful.

Meantime, you may enjoy reading about my encounter with John Grohol and how I came to be at this site: Bias & Stigma Within the Mental Health Community?. I concede that if it had not been for my brief conversation with "Doc John" I likely would not be here.

[spiritual_emergency]

<blockquote>
whispers: OK...done my own detective work and as far as I can tell on this persons MYSPACE is that this person is going by the name Christine/Calvin (one in the same) from Tampa? She is looking for "Schizophrenics" to join her site. she is also looking for someone to go swimming and have drinks with.

Continuing in the "just guessing" line, I suspect the connection may be via your myspaces account -- do you have some contact information there?

SE correct me if I am wrong. She may have better results by not calling persons who suffer from what science has labeled schizophrenia, QUOTE "LOOKING FOR SCHIZOPHRENICS". she also may have a better chance by going to her local bar. I am here for help and education. yes is good to socialize because it can become a lonely existence for sure I belong to that group.

I don't know what the individual's motives were or might be. To be sure, there are some shady characters out there -- I routinely receive spam in my offsite mailbox for everything from replica designer watches to 1001 ways to enhance my "manhood". If I wanted a "replica designer watch" or to date "lonely Christians" or "to increase my manhood" those mail notices might actually be useful to me, but I'm not interested in any of those things. Fortunately, most of those end up in my spam folder and I only see them when I empty it.

In your case, the background is a little more personal because the individual who contacted you has identified you as a "schizophrenic". That can feel like an intrusion because it means they know something about you and you know nothing of them. The label itself could also be construed as offensive to some but labels are also useful in terms of finding common ground. I suspect that this individual had no ill intentions but may be a little enthusiastic about sharing and promoting their community. They likely were not aware that their approach might be considered intrusive to the recipient. Personally, I don't mind wishing them much success although I hope they find a better means of promotion. I, too, try to share information and I may be more enthusiastic about it than others feel comfortable with. I also recognize the value of connecting socially with other people who have undergone similar experiences.

I would still like to know how this person got a hold of my email address if not for reading here at Psych Central??????????????????????????????????????

When I click on your personal profile, no information related to your personal email address is shown nor can I send you a private message to your onsite mailbox here at psychcentral. However, it is possible that this individual did find your information through this site if they read the thread where you shared your personal story and there is contact information at your blog. I suggest you check your profile settings on your blog and either remove the option of having users contact you personally or switch to a web-based mail server that you use solely for that purpose.

But I think it is time for me to go back into hibernation. Maybe I am missing something in this attempt to heal thy self??

I'm certain that many of the participants here can identify with that need to have time to themselves. I find it beneficial myself although I prefer to call it solitude, quietude or Silence. You should feel free to take the time you need but also feel free to participate when and if you feel comfortable doing so.

Continued best wishes to you in your recovery efforts, whispers.

[spiritual_emergency]

<blockquote>
Ahhh. The mindsz.com community appears to be comprised of a group of individuals who have splintered off from the schizophrenia.com forum community. The forum appears to have been created just within the past few weeks although likely has been in the making for quite some time.

My own brief experience with the schizophrenia.com community was not one I would identify as satisfying. mindsz however, is a splinter group that is obviously not satisfied with some aspect of that community either -- they would not have left it to form their own community if they were. Because they are so new, their general tone and moderation guidelines have yet to be seen.

I do wish them much success although I don't yet know if I might choose to participate on any kind of regular basis.

[whisperslf]

SE.
was very careful setting my blog. all personal info is fake. email is never given on msn spaces (not my space) unless someone is added as your friend list. (I have no friends) If someone contacts you it is never sent to your inbox it is sent to your site were you go to retrieve it. instant messages from my blog are never given my personal IM contact info. Thanks for all of the info and for all of you never ending help though. we can end this conversation as to not spook anyone else that is having a bad day. Again Thanks.
PS I do not now or have I ever had a problem with spam as you were talking about. I have never received unsolicited mail. If that gives you any insight into my reclusive paranoia and self protectiveness. (especially on the internet) It is disheartening that in my 10 years of owning a computer that the first time that I come outside to play with anyone (if you will) that I get hit by a car.

[whisperslf]

Problem Solved
I will deal accordingly. I did sign up with them maybe two days before finding this site. I was not finding what I was looking for there and have not been back since. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. I had forgotten about them! MY BAD!
I wish them luck also but yes need better tactics. In the mean time I am sorry that I have taken up your morning but I am still grateful for you being there to help me deal with it. I do wish that little things did not become so big for me at times.
Again THANKS FOR THE RESCUE!

[spiritual_emergency]

<blockquote>
I will deal accordingly. I did sign up with them maybe two days before finding this site. I was not finding what I was looking for there and have not been back since. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. I had forgotten about them! MY BAD!

Ahhh, good to know you got it sorted out. Meantime, I should probably deal with this in this moment...

THANKS FOR THE RESCUE!

I hope you won't be offended whispers, if I note that I'm not capable of rescuing other people. It's true, that I do share information that has been helpful to me with the hopes it will be helpful to others. Some people quickly identify that information as something that is personally beneficial for them; other people reject it entirely. As a result, any "rescuing" that is going on is self-initiated -- I can't rescue someone else and this is both for my benefit (I can't carry others for any sustained length of time) and theirs (we are not helping anyone if we render them dependant upon us).

That said, I have found it necessary to lean from time to time on other people and I've occasionally had other people lean on me. That too, is part of the recovery process. I do understand that you appreciate the information I've been able to pass to you. I've had many moments of appreciation myself over the past several years.

To emphasize my point, I'll close with another of my favorite links. It's from a completely different field but if you give it a read through, I'm certain you'll be able to see how the concepts that are presented are transferable to an individual's recovery journey -- it can be remarkably easy to give our personal power to others, whether they be a guru, a psychiatrist/psychologist, or maybe, someone who's just a few steps ahead of us: The Guru's Trap.

Continued best wishes in your recovery.

[whisperslf]

SE,
no offense taken!! I should not have worded it that way (again my mistake). But let me let it be known that I am not in need of rescuing nor am I looking for that. You have provided me with a wealth of information that I never would have known about. Just like religion I will keep what I need for self and dismiss the rest. I may suffer from "mental distractions" but please rest assured that I am not one to depend on anyone. I do understand your concerns though and have seen it happen. So please wipe you brow and sigh a big sign of relief if I have made you think that this was happening in any way at all. I had a bad weekend and the emails were just the straw and I thank you for tracking down the information for me at all. but please believe me it is a HEALTHY respect! not a dependence! If I was a dependent person I would be here whining not seeking knowledge!! Again Thank you

[spiritual_emergency]

<blockquote>
Thanks for letting me know, whispers. I am relieved for I tend to participate here (and other places) on a sporadic basis according to where I am and other demands of my life. I'm quite happy to share with others and always pleased to know that has been helpful but I wouldn't be comfortable being someone's rescuer. I am however, quite comfortable with some mutual leaning as required. I wouldn't have made it to where I am without that and a great deal of support and information came from those we could call peers -- in other words, those who have gone through similar experiences.