Gangstalking Forums: Online Support or Echo Chamber?

The internet offers a unique space for connection and community. But for those struggling with the unusual belief system of gangstalking, online forums can be a double-edged sword (Lustig et al., 2021):

1.   Gangstalking refers to a persecutory delusion where individuals believe they are being harassed and targeted by a large group of people (This belief is often accompanied by feelings of isolation and fear. 
2. For those experiencing gangstalking, online forums can be a lifeline. Here, they connect with others who share their experiences, validate their feelings, and develop a common language to describe their torment. 
3. Terms like "targeted individuals" (TIs) and "perps" (perpetrators) become a way to express and understand their reality. However, the insular nature of these forums can create significant drawbacks.

The Echo Chamber Effect:

Imagine a room where every conversation reinforces a single idea. That's what online forums can become for TIs.  Surrounded by others who share their belief in gangstalking, individuals rarely encounter differing perspectives. This confirmation bias makes it difficult to consider alternative explanations for their experiences, like mental health conditions and discourages seeking professional help. (Lustig et al., 2021)

 It's Important to Note:

This discussion isn't meant to dismiss or minimize the very real struggles of those experiencing gangstalking beliefs.  Their feelings of fear and isolation are valid.  The goal here is to introduce a different point of view into these online spaces.  By understanding the potential downsides of echo chambers, we can create an opportunity for individuals to consider alternative explanations for their experiences.  This might open the door to seeking professional help and finding a path toward healing.

The Fabrication of Reality:

The constant focus on gangstalking within these forums can blur the lines between perception and reality, according to Lustig and colleagues (2021): 

1. Shared stories and terminology solidify the concept of gangstalking as a real threat.  
2. This can make it challenging to distinguish between genuine harassment and coincidental events, further entrenching the belief system.

What This Means:

For someone genuinely experiencing stalking, online gangstalking forums can be misleading and harmful. They may prevent individuals from getting the professional help they genuinely need.

Finding Help:

If you are concerned about someone who believes they are being gangstalked, encourage them to seek professional help from a licensed therapist or mental health professional. These individuals can provide support, explore alternative explanations for their experiences, and recommend appropriate treatment plans.

Remember:

While online forums can offer a sense of community, it's essential to approach them with a critical eye. If you suspect gangstalking delusions, encourage the person to seek professional help.

#targetedindividuals

 #onlinecommunities

#onlinesupport

#mentalhealthsupportgroups

 References

• Lustig, A., Brookes, G., & Hunt, D. (2021). Linguistic analysis of online communication about a novel persecutory belief system (gangstalking): Mixed methods study. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 23(3). https://doi-org.ezproxy.snhu.edu/10.2196/25722

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

Dante Faints at the Second Circle: A Story of Lust and Loss

 Dante's Inferno isn't just about fire and brimstone. It's a story of human emotions laid bare. We enter the second circle, where a chilling wind whips the souls of the lustful for eternity.  Among them, Dante encounters the tragic Francesca da Rimini and her lover, Paolo.  Their story of forbidden love and murder is heartbreaking.

What makes this passage so powerful?

The universality of love and loss: Everyone can relate to the power of love and pain. Compassion for the condemned: Dante feels pity for Francesca and Paolo, even though they are condemned. The seductive power of desire: The wind represents the uncontrollable nature of lust.

Why did Dante faint?

Overcome with emotion: The raw pain of Francesca's story is too much for him to bear. The weight of human sin: Witnessing the suffering in hell is a profoundly emotional experience. This passage reminds us that even in the darkest corners of hell, there is humanity. Do you think Francesca and Paolo deserve their punishment?  Why or why not?

#dante #inferno #lust #love #loss #compassion #humanity #morality

References

🟩Alighieri, D. The Divine Comedy.(1885) Hayes Barton Press. https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/L-999-70469

Dante in Limbo: Where the Virtuous Lacking Faith Reside

 Dante's journey through hell continues! We left him shaken by the inscription on the gates, and now he awakens to a new horror: Limbo. Who is here? The virtuous souls who never received baptism. Think of great people from history who lived before Christianity or unbaptized babies. They aren't being actively punished, but their existence is one of eternal longing – desiring heaven but forever out of reach. Why is this so profound? It explores the limitations of human knowledge and faith. Are good deeds enough? Is faith essential? These are questions that have troubled humanity for centuries.

Here are some takeaways:

1. Faith is complex. Dante ponders the fate of those who lived good lives but lacked faith in the specific religion.
2. There's a difference between punishment and longing. Limbo isn't torture but a state of unfulfilled desire.
3. Good intentions can only take you so far. The virtuous pagans exemplify the importance of faith alongside good works.

What do you think? Is faith essential for a good life?

#dante #inferno #limbo #faith #religion #philosophy #morality #goodworks

References

🟩Alighieri, D. The Divine Comedy.(1885) Hayes Barton Press. https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/L-999-70469