Stalking 101. A Self Evaluation . . .
At least once in a life time the question comes up within us . . . "Am I being stalked?" or more worrisome, "Am I stalking?!"
Several psychiatric studies have concluded some basic definitions of stalking behavior. For example, Zona and Colleagues (1993) has dilineated three basic types of stalking. It comes in handy to know that a behavior becomes officially 'stalking' when the unwelcome intrusion on another person happens multiple times (in other words, more than once):
Simple Obsessional- this is when a prior relationship has or does exist. A neighbor, co worker, friend or ex boyfriend.
Erotomania- According to the diagnostic Statistical Manual, 4th edition )DSM-IV, 4th ed), the central theme of this kind of stalking is that the other person is in love with him/her (ie stalker). The stalker believes that spiritually, that person is a 'perfect match' and maybe even a soul mate. The behavior goes beyond fantasy and enters unwelcome intrusions and contact in to the object of obession's life.
Love Obsessional- Nearly always a person in the media is the object of obssession. The stalker believes the person lover her and begins a plan of action to make herself known to the obsession.
Muller et. al. (1999) has defined five stalker catagories which closely resemble the above definations as well.
The Rejected- identifiable by all of us. A person who feels a combination of anger and sorrow and who wants both reconciliation and revenge. The difference between these feelings of heartbreak and stalking, is that a stalker takes these emotions and becomes an intrusion and nuisance in the other person's life. The emotions manifest themselves in to frequent phone calls and drive by spying.
Intimacy Seekers- Stalkers who initiate unwanted attention from someone they are obsessed with. These folks BELIEVE that the other wants them. This catagory is a combination of erotomania and love obsessional.
Incompetent- Stalker who desires the other and initiates unwanted attention. This person doesn't care if the other love them or not. Even though aware it is unwanted, the stalker continues anyway.
Resentful- A stalker who willingly frightens and distresses the obsession. This person feels injustice and seeks revenge.
Predatory- Stalker who feels power and control while invading another. Classic movie style stalker. He seeks to learn more about the 'victim' and mentally rehearses an attack. These folks are frequently sex offenders with a criminal history.
So there are many levels of stalking behavior, though all illegal and unwanted by the person who is the object of desire.
For more info, here's a site:
http://www.stalkingbehavior.com/definiti.htm
I remember calling an ex after I knew he didn't want me to! I had a mild case of simple obsessional stalking. Wow!
What say YOU?