7 Real Signs of a Stalker

Trust me, when I was younger, I used to think that if the guy was always, surprisingly, in the same place at the same time as me, it was the universe telling me something. Of course, it could actually be that this person works in the same building as you or goes to your gym, but you should always keep in mind: what if that isn’t the case? Understand the signs of a stalker, it’s not romantic.

If you think it’s no big deal and nothing to worry about, think again. Stalking is a serious crime and is something to nip in the bud as soon as you recognize the behavior. If you think stalking is only in a physical form, it’s not. Now with all these forms of communication, stalking occurs through social media, texting, etc.

So just because this person isn’t standing outside your house, doesn’t mean you’re not being stalked. Of course, I’m going to tell you what you need to know to figure out the signs of a stalker. Don’t listen to Hollywood, there’s nothing romantic about stalking.

# They’re extremely intense people

This is a huge difference between a regular person and someone who’s a stalker: they’re intense. When they look at you, they look at you. As if they’re going hunting and they found their target.

You may feel an anxious feeling in your body or become flattered by the attention. However, they try hard to convince you that you two are meant to be.

# They pop-by when they know you’re busy

Dropping by to surprise someone happens all the time. I do it with my friends sometimes when I feel spontaneous. However, I don’t do it when I know they’re already busy.

Stalkers tend to make these “surprise visits,” usually when they know you already have plans. You’ll probably be slightly confused, even defensive. If that’s the automatic feeling you get, listen to it. They may show up at your house, work, your night out—wherever they think you’re going to be.

# They already know about you

They probably already have enough information about you to figure out who you are. They spent time on social media, casually asked people about you, they follow your patterns. What you need to do if you end up speaking to them, see if they know details about you that they shouldn’t, details that you haven’t told them.

# They invade your personal space, break boundaries

We all have boundaries. Now when it comes to a stalker, they invade your personal space regardless if they communicate with you or not. If you confronted this person and asked them to leave you alone in which they refuse, they’re not understanding nor respecting your boundaries.

# They manipulate scenarios

Each stalker has their own goal, they’re not stalking you because they have nothing else to do. There’s a reason why they need to follow you, find out your personal information, etc. Stalkers try to manipulate situations so that they can be around you.

Maybe they’ll try to get a job close by yours, eat lunch at your usual spot, take the same bus as you. In a natural setting, these situations most likely never occur, but for them, they make it happen.

# They try to intimidate you

They try to intimidate you in order for you to fulfill their goal. Don’t take stalking to be innocent, they cannot just follow you around for years and years, they have a goal that needs to be achieved. They may try to harm you or intimidate you by grossly invading your personal space, most likely when you’re alone.