Reported Experiences of Stalking Behavior from Patients towards Psychiatrists from the Atlantic Provinces of Canada | Chapter 06 | Current Trends in Medicine and Medical Research Vol. 3
Introduction: Stalking is repeated acts, experienced as unpleasantly intrusive, that creates apprehension and can be understood by reasonably prudent persons as grounds for becoming fearful. Doctors and healthcare professionals are at greater risk than the general population of being stalked, particularly by their patients. Stalking behaviour is particularly significant among psychiatric patients that put mental health professionals at a greater risk of being victimized. Stalkers generally come from turbulent backgrounds, having experienced violent childhood, loss of caretaker, contact with criminal justice system, social isolation and significant losses a year prior to stalking behavior. Aim: A study was conducted to assess the magnitude of stalking experienced by psychiatrists, its’ effects and actions taken to ameliorate the p...