Cyber Paranoia – Is Delusional Paranoia Increasing Due to Social Networking?

Featured in Law Link – The Attorney Network

Michael Roberts, CEO of Rexxfield and the foremost name in identifying anonymous cyberbullies, has published a hypothesis that addictions to social networking might be compounding the risks of developing anxiety disorders, often to the point of irrationality and delusion.

“I think I may have discovered a new psychological phenomenon pertaining to social networking. I regularly receive submissions from people who claim they are being harassed, ridiculed, and laughed at on the street. Whether they are at work, at school, or on the train. Everywhere they go, the description of the situation is almost identical case-by-case. Other symptoms seem to be that random web pages that these people read are somehow contorted in their perception, to be websites about them. However, a disinterested objective third party when reading the content of the web pages, would not see any connections whatsoever.

It seems that very small coincidences in social or electronic discourse to which the patient becomes aware get connected to their situation in what they think to be very obvious ways. This causes frustration that nobody else can see them. Or even worse, paranoia that the person to whom they are trying to express their delusions becomes one of those in the conspiracy against them.”

Cases of Cyber Paranoia

Rexxfield CEO Michael Roberts discussed this statement about Cyber Paranoia with Law Link. “I have observed six such cases in the last year alone. It is quite heartbreaking because although their suspicions are unfounded, their feelings are real and debilitating for victims.”

Roberts explained: “We have helped many cyberbullying victims over the last several years. Initially, they’re clearly distressed by the attacks, but I have observed some of them slipping into an abyss of depression and delusion, sometimes over a span of just a few months.”

The symptoms are almost identical case by case: “They always, and I mean always, believe that people have videotaped them, or have covertly taken photographs, or are publishing demeaning articles about them and distributing them through the Internet for all and sundry to see. However, they can NEVER actually find the materials that they genuinely believe are out there.” 

Roberts added, “I try to explain that the absence of primary documentation or evidence to support their fears is proof they worry without cause, but they cannot seem to deal with this logic in their condition.” 

Roberts made it very clear that he is not a mental health professional. He said, “This stuff is way above my pay grade. But it appears we have the basis for an important study should professionals be interested and wish to investigate further.”

Rexxfield CEO Michael Roberts has 16 years of experience in high-end information technology training with a focus on network security, privacy, extortion, cyber-bullying, identity theft, tortuous interference through brand defamation, and online libel.

Michael’s speciality is assisting victims of internet libel, online defamation, electronic smear campaigns, and other abuses of free speech. He draws on considerable personal experience and anguish in this area.

Signs of Cyber Paranoia

Over the years, the Rexxfield Cyber Investigators have discovered common signs of cyber paranoia. When we receive form submissions through our website, certain things stand out to us, which raises red flags.

  • Lack of grammar
  • Lack of paragraph spacing, usually just one long monologue. This seems to reflect the tortured mind that can’t pause or rest.
  • Submissions written with CAPSLOCK, which is like yelling for help continuously.