[Alexion]

Around 9 years ago an individual in school who cyberbullied and cyberstalked me relentlessly. I was constantly harassed via email/phone calls/text messages and he even posted several things on online forums while impersonating me just to make me look bad. He tried to get into my email/facebook/other social media accounts. Anyway this gradually stopped and I haven't heard from this individual for almost 5 years now. After it stopped,

I gradually moved on but kept a close eye on my personal accounts. Things got better but I still can't go on LinkedIn or Facebook without the fear of being stalked again. For every email and call I recieve, I always panic for a split second thinking it's him again.

Now a few months ago I read some articles that triggered a serious panic attack. Basically it was about someone who got slandered online and was helpless to do anything about it. It pretty much destroyed his reputation for a while even though everything was untrue. I know it's a very odd and specific situation but for the last few months I've been seriously paranoid that this one individual from 5 years ago will do the exact same thing to me at some point, simply because he has a history of doing similar things. I know it's not a rational thought and chances are he's moved on with his life as well, but it's something I've been obsessing over the last few months and it's killing me inside. I can't focus on work or anything else I do. My mind jumps to this fear the moment I wake up, and I've pretty much convinced myself that it's 100% going to happen, only question is when.

Speaking to some friends has made me feel better, especially because they downplayed the consequences even if something like this did happen. However I don't know how to move on from this. This one specific fear is with me the whole day. I started meditating around a week ago and also started reading a book on how to deal with this effectively. It seems to help, but I came here for some more advice if anyone else has gone through something like this.

[CANDC]

Hi Alexion. Welcome to Psych Central. I am sorry you suffered cyber bullying. In my teen years there was only kids picking fights with others. Cyberbullying can be much worse if we engage the bullies or react to them.

These might be of interest:
https://blogs.psychcentral.com/heali...gy-to-terrify/

https://blogs.psychcentral.com/famil...omment-page-1/