False Victimization Syndrome

Research finds that those with FVS are not different from the general population, regarding demographics. However, researchers did find victims were more likely to be in relationships (Mullen, et al., 2009).

Those identified as FVS were not more likely to contact law-enforcement or involve their families. However, those with FVS were more likely to be involved in some form of legal action. They were more likely to contact a lawyer, or seek unsolicited medical advice (Mullen, et al.., 2009).

Research found FVS group was more likely to report following and surveillance, however, they were less likely to report secondary-victim involvement (Mullen, et al., 2009).

The FVS groups also suffered significantly more mental health effect, (61% v. 24%) reported suicidal ideation. Additionally a "high proportion [of FVS] them are delusional" and acknowledge self-harm (Mullen, et al., 2009).

This is believed to be the largest group, with severe mental illnesses suffering from persecutory or erotomanic delusions. While we commonly think of them stalking their target, some will believe their obsession is pursuing them, known as incubus syndrome, a variant of erotomania (Mullen, et al., 2009). They may believe they are being stalked by more than one person, or a "network." Growing awareness of stalking may provide additional fodder for this. 

Fictitious victims seek gratification or dependency needs through adopting victim status. In addition to claiming victimhood, they usually feign psychological symptoms, possibly physical "symptoms" to support their allegations. This category includes those who were victimized, and subsequently identifying as a victim serves to validate their identity (Mullen, et al., 2009). This should not be confused with malingering, although these individuals may acquire secondary motivations such as financial reward, this is not the primary motivation. 

Malingering is the conscious fabrication or exaggeration of claims of victimizations for clear external incentives, such as financial reward (Mullen, et al., 2009). This, however, is rare, it is likely to co-occur with another type of mental health problem, or it is being mislabeled due to an unrecognized true stalking-victimization that is occurring.