Delusion of persecution
delusion of persecution
n.
A delusion that one is being persecuted or conspired against, characteristic of paranoid schizophrenia.
Organized stalking is considered a delusional disorder by most Psychological professionals. They consider paranoid gang-stalking web sites and forums to be cults. Below is a copy of an exchange on this topic from the psychforums.com site:
Gang-Stalking cults
by Dowel01 » Fri Aug 07, 2009 2:19 am
Good Evening. I’m curious, have any of those with loved ones suffering from Delusional Persecution issues come across paranoid web sites? These are not support groups for people dealing directly or indirectly with mental illness; these are sites organized by people with delusions of persecution, who believe they are being intentionally watched, harassed, threatened and even subtly attacked by either the government or large groups of private individuals with nothing better to do with their time.
These groups have web sites and hold weekly teleconferences where they exchange stories and give each other tips on how to evade and resist these “gang-stalkers”. No type of motive is too weird to be offered for these gang-stalker’s actions. No expense is beyond their financial means and they apparently have access to weapons and devices that would make even advanced extra-terrestrials jealous.
Anyway, I have mixed feelings about these groups. On the whole I think they do more harm then good in that they reinforce the belief structures of delusional people. But at least they may keep some individuals from feeling totally alone, which is one of the worst fates for most people.
Has anyone else out there come across this phenomenon?
If so, has it caused greater issues over time?
- Dowel01
- Consumer 0
Posts: 18 - Joined: Sat Jul 25, 2009 3:07 pm
Re: Gang-Stalking cults
by Tara » Fri Aug 07, 2009 10:46 pm
Oh, man. Been there, done that, got the T-shirt…
I ranted and raved about this particular topic couple of times in the past – if you have some time on your hands you can go back through my posts and you should be able to find those messages. My husband certainly used those sites to scaffold his delusions although mercifully he was not inclined to get into contact with anyone – ironically, he is *too* paranoid to expose himself like that. But, he certainly used all those sites and stories both as fodder for his delusions and as “proof” that it is really happening – how could hundreds or even thousands of people be wrong? Sites like this are also one of the reasons I think that reported rate of delusional disorder is ridiculous underestimate.
My feelings are certainly not mixed – these sites not only reinforce delusions, but also actively discourage seeking medical help or considering any input from people who do not believe in delusional content. You know, if an individual finally gets to feel totally alone in their beliefs, it just might be the rock bottom where they may be desperate enough to seek help or start doubting. But, if you have a group of nice people who truly “get it”, that can get you going indefinitely.
- Tara
- Consumer 6
Posts: 284 - Joined: Thu Mar 29, 2007 6:17 pm
- Location: CA
Re: Gang-Stalking cults
by Dowel01 » Mon Aug 10, 2009 2:07 am
Tara, I read your post with interest. Tell me, did you ever succeed in getting your husband into treatment?
I see that as the only possible hope for sufferers of DD.
So far, I don’t see any strategy that will work. Her family is remote; she’s from a foreign country. She had few friends in the area and I’m one of the 2 or 3 people she trusts. She doesn’t have a regular physician and is resistant to medical care in general.
