Recent news highlights the signs of paranoia of the Grammy and Oscar Awards winner Billie Eilish. Her continuous struggle with stalking and harassment now started taking a toll on her mental health.
This doesn’t happen all of a sudden. There’s a long history of stalking and threats she faced. For example, in 2021, there are reports of her legal actions against stalkers. This includes a man who frequently appears at her parents’ home. Another one is a man displaying threatening gestures, like slitting the throat, outside her house.
These experiences developed anxieties and fears in her. She constantly fears the dark and is anxious about “someone hiding under her bed and closet” as per the reports. For security, she often stays at her parents’ house. Eilish previously revealed about her depression that came with her fame. The pressure to be in the spotlight led her to depression and suicidal thoughts.
It’s important to psychologically look at this incident, it’s cause, and relevance to mental health sector.
Understanding Paranoia in this Context
Most experience paranoid thoughts at some point in their lives. However, those are rational. But for some people, they often have suspiciousness and mistrust towards others even in the absence of perceived threat or evidence. This is called Paranoia, a psychological condition influencing one’s thoughts. Such people also experience stress and anxiety because of such thoughts and isolate themselves.
“She stepped up her security detail and has taken to staying at her parents’ place because of fears that she’ll be spotted and harassed,” the source said about Billie Eilish’s condition. The source added, “She just doesn’t want to be alone and doesn’t want to interact with folks she doesn’t know”. This reveals the intensity of Billie Eilish’s paranoid experiences.
What Causes Paranoia?
Several factors like genetics, brain chemistry, or stress act as causal factors for paranoia. In the case of Billie Eilish, the continuous stalking, harassment, and threats evoke persistent stress and anxiety in her. These may then create a psychological environment for the development of these thoughts. Research shows evidence for this relation. One study shows that people with higher baseline vulnerability show an increase in paranoia as a reaction to anxiety manipulation. Stress will also trigger paranoid ideas in vulnerable people.
This case shows the importance of addressing the mental health issues of those in public fame. Continuous criticism, invasion of privacy, and threats affect their mental health. It also highlights the importance of societal responsibility in supporting public figures. Their mental health also matters. Apart from their fame, they are also humans. Fans and public should remember that and have to reflect on their actions. It’s also important for mental health professionals to deepen thier understanding of the connection between fame and mental health.
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