Stalking and its effects

ABSTRACT

To examine the social, occupational, psychological and emotional effects of stalking. A group of 100 subjects of stalking who attended psychiatry O.P.D. at Jinnah Hospital and Private Clinic of the authors for advice and help were included in this study. One hundred subjects [88 females and 12 males] with age range 18-45 years from city of Lahore. Majority of the victims were subjected to multiple forms of harassment including being followed, repeatedly approached, received many letters and telephone calls for period varying from 6 weeks to 6 months. Threats were received by 58 subjects and 38 were physically assaulted; majority [94%] victims made major changes in their social and work lives with 52% having decreased work capacity and 12% moving their place of residence. Increased levels of anxiety were reported by 83%, aggressive or guilt thoughts 65%, intrusive recollections by 55%, with changes in appetite 48%, disturbance in sleep 74% and suicidal ruminations were acknowledged by 12% of the subjects. Forty seven percent full filled criteria for diagnosis of post traumatic stress disorder with further 38% having the evidence of numbness to responses. This study indicates the extent of the social, occupational and psychological damage sustained by the subjects of persistent stalking and underlines the inadequacy of current legal, medical responses to the needs of these subjects: