PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Louise Maclean AU - David Reiss AU - Seán Whyte AU - Simon Christopherson AU - Edward Petch AU - Catherine Penny TI - Psychiatrists' Experiences of Being Stalked: A Qualitative Analysis DP - 2013 Jun 01 TA - Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online PG - 193--199 VI - 41 IP - 2 4099 - http://jaapl.org/content/41/2/193.short 4100 - http://jaapl.org/content/41/2/193.full SO - J Am Acad Psychiatry Law2013 Jun 01; 41 AB - Stalking is a well-recognized social phenomenon, one that particularly affects health care professionals, especially psychiatrists and other mental health workers; however, the nature and effects of stalking of psychiatrists have not been examined in detail. This study is a qualitative thematic analysis of the free-text responses of 2,585 psychiatrists in the United Kingdom (approximately 25% of all U.K. psychiatrists), almost 11 percent of whom described being stalked according to a strict research definition, and 21 percent of whom perceived themselves as having been stalked. It demonstrates that threat minimization, negative psychological impact, awareness of vulnerability, and difficulty obtaining help were major themes in how psychiatrists viewed their experiences of being stalked. It shows how some psychiatrists coped better than others and makes suggestions for appropriate professional support.