Gang Stalking: A Chilling Phenomenon Shrouded in Mystery

Have you ever felt like you're being watched? That someone, or even a group, is following your every move? If so, you might be familiar with the concept of gang stalking. Gang stalking refers to the belief that you're being harassed and followed by multiple individuals. While it may sound like a plot from a thriller movie, studies suggest it's a more common experience than you might think. Up to 1% of women and a half-percent of men in the Western world report experiencing gang stalking in their lifetime. Despite its prevalence, there's surprisingly little scientific research on gang stalking. Most of what we know comes from self-reported experiences. A recent study aimed to shed light on this by analyzing online narratives from people who believe they are being gang-stalked.

Here's what the study found (Sheridan et al., 2020):

1. Core experiences: People described feeling surveilled, interfered with physically, and targeted by conspiracies. They reported isolation, hopelessness, and a determination to fight back in response to this harassment.
2. Psychological impact: The study confirmed that gang stalking has a severe negative effect on mental well-being. People suffer from symptoms like anxiety, depression, and paranoia.
3. Risk of violence: The study found a troubling trend: some individuals who believe they are being gang-stalked reported developing violent thoughts or tendencies.

It's important to note that gang stalking is not a recognized mental health disorder. People who experience these symptoms may be suffering from other conditions. However, this study highlights the authentic and concerning effects that gang-stalking beliefs can have on individuals. It underscores the need for more research to understand this phenomenon better. Further studies could help us answer questions like (Sheridan et al., 2020):

1. What exactly causes people to believe they are being gang-stalked?
2. Are there different types of gang-stalking experiences?
3. How can we best support those who believe they are being targeted?

By taking gang stalking seriously and conducting more research, we can hopefully find ways to help those affected and prevent violence. This is a complex topic, and if you or someone you know is experiencing gang-stalking or related thoughts, it's vital to seek professional help.

References

1.  Sheridan, L., James, D. V., & Roth, J. (2020). The Phenomenology of Group Stalking (‘Gang-Stalking’): A Content Analysis of Subjective Experiences. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(7). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17072506