I've had to institute some rules after some posts. Not that the posts were necessarily offensive or manipulative. It's just that I realised that net etiquette sometimes is not known or understood. Also, this board may be not be appropriate for all who come here.The rules are meant to protect the innocent and not mislead.

This is a site to discuss mental disorders, specifically narcissism and psychopathy, a confusing subject at best. The mission of this site is to educate and provoke thought and to provide support for those who have encountered the mentally disordered, specifically the above. If you are looking simply for support or are/have been in an emotionally and physically abusive relationship this may or may not be the place for you. The managers reserve the right to point out to you if they believe that you may be dealing with something else and that this place may not be appropriate for your issues. ~04/20/04

It is considered bad form on lists to cross-post. Cross-posting means that you post the very same post to other fora or lists without acknowledgment. Nor is it gracious or sensitive to copy and paste from another site bits and pieces from a post, without acknowledgment, in response to the heartfelt response of another on this site. There are real people behind the words, and they deserve better than a canned post or response.

My philosophy is that in a support group, all responses are unique to said group, just as they would be for a RL support group- that is, said once, unless you said it so well you want to share; but if you share, you acknowledge you've said it before. If you feel you need to respond by posting the same stuff as on another group, then this is not the group for you. Violators of this basic rule of decency and sensitivity will not be tolerated and will be banned. Period.And the reason/s will be posted.

I aim to uphold the dignity of those posting, for they deserve individual respect. I will not allow them to be used as your generic sounding board.

This is not a place to advertise your own site. If you would like it mentioned, make contact at the email address above.

First postings, where you tell your story again, after posting at another site, are allowed to be copied and pasted. I understand that sometimes the stories are large and complicated. Even so, an acknowledgment is a must. Be fair. Be honest. You are talking to a new group of people and a new dynamic. Try it; it won't hurt.

Educate yourself! There are many links and articles provided. Don't expect the participants to spoonfeed you the facts and theories, and the whys and wherefores of the fundamentals. If you don't bother to learn, then you will show your ignorance and you will be removed at the discretion of the managers.

Please don't think that you can bring issues with others from other boards here to continue the argument. Not being psychic, the manager/s may miss this. But rest assured, it will come out in the wash and your credentials might become suspect.

You don't have to play nice but it helps to play kind and kindly honest.

If you have genuine problems with a poster, email me at InvictaTwo[AT]netscape[DOT]net.

I am hypervigilant on the net, given my record with psychoguy and disturbed people on the net. Trolls and known stalkers are not welcome and their posts will be highlighted/deleted, with explanation, as will suspected plagiarists and "researchers"; this includes "writers/authors" who unethically exploit survivors for their own advantage; and, if uncovered, suspects will be exposed with facts.

At the moment that's all I've learned. But I am ever learning.

A warm welcome to all those in genuine pain. You are not alone!

~Invicta/Manager 10/03