The anonymous function

[Deleted member 541]

I have never used it and was wondering why people do use it?!?!?! I can’t for the life of me see the purpose for using it. I’m mean if you’re going to say something, why not just say it and get it over with, why hide behind anonymous???? It’s not like people REALLY know who you are anyways, as we don’t use our real names.

I’ve never had tact, I have a big mouth and say what I think. I have no filter from brain to mouth, it it’s me...

So, I’m wondering why people do use it, or if you’ve ever thought of using it, why you would....

 

[Abstract]

I've used it for a period of time in the past because of having big internal conflict about being on the board and I was testing out being back. A while back now. When I first came back. Needed to feel safe. And again a few times when posting my own thread to avoid any possibility of identification/tracing back to me as a possibility or because I have been ashamed to discuss the topic and need an extra layer of something between me and others. I haven't done it to avoid being associated with what I have said to someone else in response to someone elses thread. If that makes sense.

I envy that openness of yours. Wish I had more of it.

 

[anonymous]

I've used it when discussing stuff that was just too personal to let my friends here know about. It is the same kind of stuff that I don't discuss with friends in real life. Things about my sex life, for instance, that I wanted to know if other PTSD patients suffer from, or was I alone in this problem I was having. When I did mention it, one other person did reply. That really helped me a lot. That person also used the anonymous function to reply. So I was relieved to know that I was not alone.

 

[joeylittle]

I'll allow this thread, because it's an interesting question. Reflecting on why one would hide their identity, when - that's totally valid. Getting into a food fight about what an asshole 'anonymous' is...not OK, thread will be locked.

Carry on.

 

[Deleted member 12723]

The only time I have used anonymous was in replying to someone on an anonymous thread but i go about using my own name here all of the time otherwise.

I am also wanting to learn about the reasons that someone would use this. Great topic.

 

[Deleted member 37474]

I have used it if I don’t want the info to be identifiable to/of family or friends. Also, if there is shame involved. However, I usually post as myself.

 

[lostforgottensoul]

I used it a few times due to conflict with someone on the board. It was only a few times though. Conflict since resolved.

I really see zero reason to hide here otherwise. But you know, I had some isolation away from the board because it felt very unsafe and am just starting to come back from that. Maybe some use it for that reason. Maybe they feel unsafe and that's their way to participate but feel a bit more safe? I dunno. That's not me. I just went away for a while. But was just a thought on why one may use it.

 

[Abstract]

Texcat the identifiable thing is a big one for me and that is what I meant before in my post too . Family and friends, work and previous problematic persons in the outside world. Some people may feel that it is paranoia but I have been identified before (on a different site) in the past. I often wish there was an even more anonymous option as there are things I would discuss then which I won't now. As my hypervigalince has gone down I am less concerned about this. Didn't pay anything on this site for a long time because of the fear of it connecting me to the site.

 

[lostforgottensoul]

I think paranoia plays a big part in it as well. And thats a big PTSD symptom. I remember when I joined the fear of my family finding me was so present and its why I lurked as long as I did. I didnt use the anon feature due to this but can see why some would. And my family googles me and I am positive other people do the same to some others. Being found by the cult members was a big fear as well. Maybe many fear their abusers and use it for that reason. I mean, there are just so many things one can be paranoid about that makes you want to hide on a site where you are hidden, you know. Double protection.

I also remember one of the MODs (cant remember which now) said they use it as many cant seperate MOD from poster and seeing "moderator" would influence the replies back. Summerizing my memory of the post of course.

 

[ladee]

Not paying attention , i have hit anonymous , realized it, and made another post that it was me... I do understand when someone needs to feel safe... but I have no reason to hide my identity when posting anything... but it is a safety measure for people who need it.

 

[NoWhereKnowWhere]

The reason I post so little is fear of an abuser who I know to be very likely to try to find me seeing identifiable things and figure out it’s me. They would then use it against me. I know they know I use this site as they caught me looking on it on my phone. I don’t speak to them anymore and haven’t for a few years they’re blocked on everything possible but every 3-6 months they manage to get time somehow. Just a tap on the shoulder reminder they can still get to me. This makes it very difficult to feel safe. If I could afford premium I’d post exclusively on anonymous.

I know the likelihood is really slim,I understand that. It’s pretty cognitive distortiony but one thing at a time. I can’t fix it all at once.

 

[EveHarrington]

I use it when I fear getting a

“Eve you are so f*cked up and stupid, I can’t believe you did that”

sort of response.