Is this normal behaviour?

Question

At my job we have a lot of slow time to waste. My office mate told me that she goes online and pretends to be many different people. (she is 28 years old) She said she posts on Livejournal and Myspace and has several accounts and chats it up with people using different names and even pretends to be a g*y man chatting with other g*y men. She said that on her Myspace accounts she even posts comments to herself, from herself, using her different names and it makes her feel popular.

Trouble is, she confessed that she has fooled another office mate of ours pretending to be a busty woman and he believes that she is interested in him. Should I tell him that he is dealing with an imposter? She is not very good looking and I realise she is probably trying to get a taste of what it's like to be attractive, but I think she is too old to play games.

I also wonder if she has more serious troubles. Sometimes she'll come back to her desk and say that her papers have been moved around and that her phone has been used. She said she thinks someone is following her.

Not sure what to do.

Answer 1

i would say that was a bit odd! mmm try and catch her out with your office mate?

sorry evil streak comming through!

nah actually that might be bullying!

Answer 2

One of the lessons of life is that everyone 'plays games' of some kind...even with themselves.  That IS a problem, however, it isn't your concern, unless she's involved you in one of them...it's pretty clear you are.  Her 'confession' may just be a 'test' to see if you reveal her 'secret' to anyone else.  Personally, I wouldn't 'play'...but, you may do as you wish (but don't go crying about it later on...'you knew')...  As for your co-worker who may possibly be 'the fool'...the most you might do is 'warn him' about getting seriously involved with anyone on the Internet (you cannot believe anything without thoroughly checking it out...and, even then, there are still ways to 'fool' people...it isn't a wise thing to do to 'put your heart up in lights' just for anyone to 'shoot it down'...so, be FORE WARNED).  As far as her 'being followed' and 'ghosts moving things'...you should keep a record of what transpires to protect yourself...and then drop it.  If it were me, I'd stay a safe distance away from her...  

Answer 3

Lack of self-confidence maybe.

I made myself a fake account on facebook once to make a guy i was seeing, jealous. He started taking me for granted, like i was always gonna do wtv he wanted me to do. The account DID make him jealous and he changed haha.

Maybe your friend wants to make someone jealous too. But yeah, her behavior is weird. As you said, she prolly wants to get a taste of what its like to be attractive and/or have many friends. She might be lonely. Maybe you could become her friend, hang out with her outside of work. Invite her to parties or smtg. I think it's a problem of self-confidence.

Answer 4

I would just suggest staying out of it, it's not your business.

Answer 5

If by "normal" you mean is it done by most people, I'd say we act in the way she does sometimes (pretending to have a different persona from what we really have), or are thinking of how it is to be someone else, she just went ahead and did it. That makes her incredibly honest and gutsy - unfortunately, as you found out, there are consequences to carrying on a subterfuge as elaborate as hers (having multiple accounts in various media just to be "popular").

That said, I still don't think it's your "right" to tell the man who seems infatuated with her online personality that she is "lying". They are both adults, and they both went into their interaction knowingly. Leave it be, that would be my advice. It might be boredom, or a heightened sense of fantasy on her part, whatever her reasons, you have to respect her privacy, and her decisions in her own life.

As for the part where she feels someone is following her, that might mean something. Again, the best you can do is show concern, and if you're close enough, you can suggest her seeing a mental health professional for the stress that she encounters. But she will have to do the concrete actions for herself, and unless her actions interfere with the way you do your work or live your life, her life is still her own to lead.

Good luck.

Answer 6

I think you should post this question in the psychology section.

Personally I think she is sort of insane or rather abnormal. Try talk to her and ask her why is she doing all these, what benefits will she get. Tell her that these behaviors is rather abnormal and maybe she want to consult a psychologist.  

Answer 7

even nutty, ugly chicks need to have a little fun!  cut her some slack!

besides, i'm sure your male office mate can take care of himself.

Answer 8

With the Internet who knows anymore about what is real or not. My suggestion to you is to stay out of it. You still have to work with these two people and getting into the middle of it will only cause you grief.

Answer 9

What's her ID?  I do the same thing.  It's my hobby.