“Baby Reindeer” has become one of Netflix’s most watched series ever. Based on the one-man show by comedian Richard Gadd, who claims this is a true story, the series explores the relationship between Richard’s fictionalized self and his stalker. It raises questions about the psychology of stalking. Let’s explore this in detail.
Stalking is a complex psychological phenomenon that often emerges from the interplay between intense emotional states and distorted perceptions. It can involve behaviors such as following someone, repeated unwanted communications, and other actions that make the victim feel afraid or threatened. Richard reports he was sent 41,071 emails, 350 hours of voicemails, 744 tweets, 46 Facebook messages, and 106 pages of letters. He also claims that things escalated into frightening actions. In the context of “Baby Reindeer,” we see these behaviors and the impact they have on the person being stalked. In one study, 35% of the stalkers studied had become violent and about 1 in 3 stalking victims were physically injured by their stalker. Another study found the rate of violence in stalking was nearly 40%.
Psychologically, stalking is not always linked directly to a diagnosable mental illness, although it can be associated with psychiatric conditions such as delusional disorders, where the stalker has persistent beliefs that they have a special relationship with the victim, often despite clear evidence to the contrary. Some personality disorders, particularly borderline personality disorder, can involve intense emotional swings and fears of abandonment, which may also contribute to stalking behaviors. According to research, some of the biggest risks for stalking behavior include past threats to romantic partners, psychosis (i.e., loss of touch with reality), a personality disorder diagnosis, substance abuse, a criminal history, and a history of violence.
Interestingly, stalkers can be high-functioning individuals in many aspects of their lives. They may hold down responsible jobs, have active social lives, and appear perfectly ‘normal’ to most people they interact with daily. This dichotomy can make it particularly challenging to understand and address stalking behaviors, as the obsessive actions are often only directed at specific targets and hidden from the rest of their social or professional network.
The series “Baby Reindeer” delves into this complexity by portraying the stalker as a multi-dimensional character. This approach highlights how stalking can stem from a misguided or misperceived sense of connection or affection, twisted into something dark and possessive. The show does an extraordinary job of portraying how seemingly normal interactions can start to take on a sinister tone through the persistence and intensity of the stalker’s actions.
Furthermore, the portrayal of stalking in media often brings to light the psychological toll on the victim, which includes anxiety, fear, and a constant sense of insecurity. However, understanding the psychological impact on the stalker is equally important. Often, stalkers suffer from loneliness, low self-esteem, or a profound sense of inadequacy, which they attempt to manage through their obsession with the victim.
Legal and psychological interventions are critical in addressing stalking. These can range from restraining orders and legal action to therapeutic interventions aimed at addressing the underlying psychological issues the stalker faces. For victims, understanding that the stalking behavior is not their fault. Relying on their support systems is absolutely critical, as well.
In sum, the psychology of stalking is intricate and deeply woven into the fabric of emotional dysfunction and distorted thinking patterns. Shows like “Baby Reindeer” help shed light on this often-misunderstood issue, providing insights not only into the mind of the stalker but also the profound effects on those they target.
People can be amazingly complex with both wonderful and awful traits residing in the same person. With an empathetic and nuanced portrayal of stalking like we see in “Baby Reindeer,” we are reminded of how true that is.
