Is it normal to experience extreme paranoia because of bullies online?

Since having a hate group made about me on Facebook about 2 years ago, and being repeatedly harassed online by these same group of about 200+ people, followed everywhere and having them spreading lies about me or doing whatever they can to ruin my reputation... Well it's been 2 years and I still don't feel safe. They bullied me into silence and caused me extreme paranoia. Like, even though I have heard they stopped, even though I would have no idea, since then I changed my name on facebook, unfriended and blocked a bunch of people, and only EVER post for specific friends aka only my family can see it. I feel afraid to post anything on any groups that is not my own personal timeline. I don't mind posting on here, because it's anonymous, and I know no one will find out who I am. On top of this, I always feel attacked. Like, if anyone has a disagreement with me or seems like they are starting an argument with me, or basically anything I perceive as hostile, I get incredibly defensive and upset and feel like everyone is out to get me and everyone wants me to feel bad, or hurt me, or whatever. It was never this bad before the bullying which took place online. I now completely lack any faith in humanity, I consider pretty much every single person an enemy or someone who is against me, and I say my controversial opinions till they show their true colours, then I tell myself, "see? Everyone is against me and will never accept me as I am. Everyone wants me to change. So why waste time with them."
It's gotten to the point where I stopped interacting with my closest friends online, and became distant, so they will often say I became distant and that they worried about me. But I don't have the energy to talk to them. I don't think I can trust anyone since people continually acted like friends and backstabbed me by posting my personal things into the hate group, anonymously.
99% of what someone says to me I perceive it as an attack on my character. And I get angry and defensive and extremely upset. Even though I am extremely honest and say things and opinions that probably antagonise people. I still feel like everyone hates me.. How do I know those people aren't still following me around? How do I know that I can trust anyone apart from my family? The bullying has really fucked me up mentally even though it happened over 2 years ago and lasted till early this year.

Voting Results
86% Normal
Based on 7 votes (6 yes)
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Comments ( 17 )
  • kikilizzo

    Wall of text... But yeah it is normal for any kind of bullying to affect you mentally including making you paranoid.

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  • 1WeirdGuy

    The fact that you care about your online reputation is your issue. Why do you care what abunch of random ppl you'll never see think of you on the internet? I bet if you had a way to pull up pictures and their resumes theyre probably abunch of mouth breathing retards anyway. Whoever has time to obsess over some random person online shouldnt be taken seriously. Their opiniom is void.

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    • It's because it was so many people harassing me, and lasted for so long, like I felt like I couldn't get away from them... I was afraid they can ruin my life somehow.. I am afraid they can find out my family members and tell them some lies or something embarrassing I personally said.. I even felt afraid they would somehow dox me and find out where I live and come and attack me. I still get extremely anxious thinking about them and the fact they are still out there, living right now, bothers me.

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      • 1WeirdGuy

        Just call your family members up and tell them about the threats. Go to your local PD and explain to them these people may try to swat you. Then delete your Facebook.

        If you had a job I dont think you'd have time to worry about this stuff. Working is good for you. We arent meant to sit around.

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        • oh my family members know all about it and how much it has affected me. My mum was gonna call the police on them, before they sent her this embarrassing picture I drew saying I sent them it.. Then she said we can't do anything cause the police are useless. I'm terrified to say anything online now in case people gang up on me like they did back then.

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          • 1WeirdGuy

            you need a job you got way too much time to think about things so insignificant. And your mom should contact the police. Look up swating. People get shot by police because of that shit. Take screenshots if anyone threatens to call police on you. Police can dox facebook profiles easily.

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            • Since you seem to know who I am, do you think I fit the criteria of Paranoid personality disorder based on my behaviour online and what I've said? Would you suggest that I was diagnosed for it?

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  • Bassmachine

    Report threats and delete all social media accounts. Talk with your family and let them know what's going on.

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  • Tommythecaty

    Your wall of text is far more paranoia inducing.

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    • Did you never learn to read in school or something?? Or just that this generation has such a short attention span they can't sit and spend half a minute reading something because everything nowadays has to be so fast-paced?

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      • Tommythecaty

        Of course I can’t read. It is quite obvious I have very low comprehension.

        My implied complaint against your lack of correctly structured writing, specifically the proper use of paragraphs, is just a figment of your imagination.

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        • This is exactly the thing I'm talking about...

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          • Tommythecaty

            Forgive my ignorance, but where exactly are you talking about your poor writing skills.

            🙃

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            • I do not have poor writing skills. Where exactly are you talking about the fact that you didn't end your question with a question mark? Fornicate thyself.

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