Is Trolling a Mental Illness

[The Best Holliday]

...or only symptomatic of other mental/emotional illnesses?

"No, trolling is not a mental illness in itself, but it is considered a harmful form of behavior that can be associated with certain "dark" personality traits like psychopathy and sadism, which involve a tendency to cause cruelty or harm to others. However, not everyone who trolls has these traits, as people may troll for other reasons, such as amusement, a bad mood, or a sense of anonymity online."

Re: the above statement, it's probably only that it is a relatively new phenomenon and hasn't bee studied long enough. One day it will no doubt have it's own classification. Until then it is it certain that these poor souls have suffered some traumatic event(s) which paralyzed them emotionally and intellectually - for example, getting stuffed in a high school locker by mean gurls and then adopting that very persona on the internets in an effort to get even with the world for that injustice (just a random example there).
One thing for certain - these are very disturbed people.

Here is some reading:

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May 16, 2025 — Trolling, in this sense, is an extension of deeper personality issues that show up across different areas of life. While some behaviors stay ...

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Jul 28, 2021 — Being the target of trolls has been associated with increases in depression, low self-esteem, trouble sleeping, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts ...

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by SA Volkmer · 2023 · Cited by 27 — Research has shown a relationship between trolling others online and dark personality traits such as sadism, psychopathy, Machiavellianism, and narcissism.

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[Lily]

Interesting citations.

The dedicated troll is certainly mentally ill.

A couple of things that I wonder about. First for this statement "Being the target of trolls has been associated with increases in depression, low self-esteem, trouble sleeping, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts..." I wonder if it is more fitting for younger generations, Millenials and Z's, etc.

Some of them seem to believe that being liked by strangers is very important, they seek validation in "likes", "shares" and "views".

I know I could give a rat's ass about any of those.

 

[The Best Holliday]

Interesting citations.

The dedicated troll is certainly mentally ill.

A couple of things that I wonder about. First for this statement "Being the target of trolls has been associated with increases in depression, low self-esteem, trouble sleeping, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts..." I wonder if it is more fitting for younger generations, Millenials and Z's, etc.

Some of them seem to believe that being liked by strangers is very important, they seek validation in "likes", "shares" and "views".

I know I could give a rat's ass about any of those.

I could see that. It's all very cowardly. These are very weak people. Consider how important it is that they are anonymous and out of reach. Can you imaging these squirming worms talking shit to someone's face? I can't.
. They'd piss themselves just like they did they got wedgied in gym class or whatever it was originally traumatized them.

 

[Lily]

I could see that. It's all very cowardly. These are very weak people. Consider how important it is that they are anonymous and out of reach. Can you imaging these squirming worms talking shit to someone's face? I can't.
. They'd piss themselves just like they did they got wedgied in gym class or whatever it was originally traumatized them.

I agree. Some of them won't even respond when you say something directly on a forum.

 

[The Best Holliday]

I agree. Some of them won't even respond when you say something directly on a forum.

.The saddest, and I suppose in less compassionate moments, laughable are the flametards, Yer mom, I know you are but what am I. It's just another version with more words and usually grossly silly. What happens when you mistake the Guerilla glue for hemorrhoid cream sort of thing. Very sad.

 

[The Best Holliday]

That's Lily's favorite.

It appears Halliday thinks you are "laughable"

Parody is often used to mock the troll.

 

[Lily]

Parody is often used to mock the troll.

No?!

 

[The Best Holliday]

No?!

Of course the troll is typically intellectually stunted, that's why their "discussion" always devolves into yer- momisms.

 

[Reggie_Essent]

...or only symptomatic of other mental/emotional illnesses?

"No, trolling is not a mental illness in itself, but it is considered a harmful form of behavior that can be associated with certain "dark" personality traits like psychopathy and sadism, which involve a tendency to cause cruelty or harm to others. However, not everyone who trolls has these traits, as people may troll for other reasons, such as amusement, a bad mood, or a sense of anonymity online."

Re: the above statement, it's probably only that it is a relatively new phenomenon and hasn't bee studied long enough. One day it will no doubt have it's own classification. Until then it is it certain that these poor souls have suffered some traumatic event(s) which paralyzed them emotionally and intellectually - for example, getting stuffed in a high school locker by mean gurls and then adopting that very persona on the internets in an effort to get even with the world for that injustice (just a random example there).
One thing for certain - these are very disturbed people.

Here is some reading:

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May 16, 2025 — Trolling, in this sense, is an extension of deeper personality issues that show up across different areas of life. While some behaviors stay ...

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Jul 28, 2021 — Being the target of trolls has been associated with increases in depression, low self-esteem, trouble sleeping, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts ...

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by SA Volkmer · 2023 · Cited by 27 — Research has shown a relationship between trolling others online and dark personality traits such as sadism, psychopathy, Machiavellianism, and narcissism.

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Cool Links, Holly. When I have time I might actually look at them.

Tell me, do any of them mention the Great and Incomparable Gurk MacGuintey or, perhaps, the inimitable Reggie_Essent?

No study of internet Trolldom would be complete without a mention of me.

 

[Fredricka]

Of course the troll is typically intellectually stunted, that's why their "discussion" always devolves into yer- momisms.

You say this right after not understanding a perfectly worded and straightforward post

 

[The Best Holliday]

Cool Links, Holly. When I have time I might actually look at them.

Tell me, do any of them mention the Great and Incomparable Gurk MacGuintey or, perhaps, the inimitable Reggie_Essent?

No study of internet Trolldom would be complete without a mention of me.

I had an aunt on my dad's side, the last time I saw her she was well into dementia. All day, yesterday, tomorrow, she would ask the same 5 questions, get the same answers then ask them again with the same surprise upon hearing the answers. Now, Reggie, when I read your posts, I recall her, and worry for you.
... person, man, woman, camera, movie.
Try to remember those and I'll ask you to repeat them back later.

 

[The Best Holliday]

This isn't your thread. You don't get to decide.

The OP has actual links to those that have studied this phenomenon.

...and we will continue to develop the topic over the coming months.

 

[Lily]

...and we will continue to develop the topic over the coming months.

It's sincerely an interesting topic. There's a reason moderators exist on most online sites.

 

[Admin.]

This is an interesting topic, I look to watching this thread’s progression

 

[Admin.]

The fact that the topic causes such a strong emotional reaction is fascinating.

 

[Lily]

The fact that the topic causes such a strong emotional reaction is fascinating.

Well, some of them want to be trolls and be considered "good people". The cognitive dissonance is powerful.

 

[Admin.]

Well, some of them want to be trolls and be considered "good people". The cognitive dissonance is powerful.

Blatant hypocrisy is epidemic among some people.

 

[The Best Holliday]

The fact that the topic causes such a strong emotional reaction is fascinating.

Perhaps we will discover why as time passes and we open the research.

 

[Admin.]

One thing that is amusing is how some people love to “troll” ie, poster A does this, poster A is that etc then if A “trolls” those people back, they come unglued and completely lose it. So odd.

 

[The Best Holliday]

One thing that is amusing is how some people love to “troll” ie, poster A does this, poster A is that etc then if A “trolls” those people back, they come unglued and completely lose it. So odd.

Personally I'd say, this is a medium in which they feel safe to poke, but the old hurt that set them on this course hasn't healed. They were likely hurt at a sensitive age, or they are inherently sensitive (like in the Streetcar quote - Blanche), and this is the shell they have grown to protect themselves. Defending against that still open wound being touched.

 

[Reggie_Essent]

Is this thread still about Holliday picking his old ass boils from all the times he got trolled?

 

[The Best Holliday]

The attention seeking behavior the childish taunts and school yard insults must be to gain recognition and validation that they have value, as Howard Beale talked about.

Something which they otherwise don't have (and never will), but here can imagine they do.
. Like if one thought they were a big internet influencer/streamer or invention of that sort.
Even that is pathetic so just consider how sad their life really is.
Almost makes you want to shed a tear.

 

[Admin.]

Something which they otherwise don't have (and never will), but here can imagine they do.
. Like if one thought they were a big internet influencer/streamer or invention of that sort.
Even that is pathetic so just consider how sad their life really is.
Almost makes you want to shed a tear.

It seems more and more chat rooms like this too often seem to be full of anger. There’s always been a political divide, but wasn’t it generally more lighthearted and somewhat collegial in the past than the current shape of things, at least I remember it being less tribal.

 

[The Best Holliday]

It seems more and more chat rooms like this too often seem to be full of anger. There’s always been a political divide, but wasn’t it generally more lighthearted and somewhat collegial in the past than the current shape of things, at least I remember it being less tribal.

Yes, I believe so. Those of us who were members at B(ad)Y(ahoo) can attest to that.
. Of course those were far more intelligent a civil minded people than you will ever see in trollish society or troll board. It definitely reflects the state of the nation, or simply the social condition of the present age..

 

[Lily]

It seems more and more chat rooms like this too often seem to be full of anger. There’s always been a political divide, but wasn’t it generally more lighthearted and somewhat collegial in the past than the current shape of things, at least I remember it being less tribal.

When leadership becomes a long troll towards authoritarianism, the sheep that follow them start to feel very entitled.

 

[Dove]

.The saddest, and I suppose in less compassionate moments, laughable are the flametards, Yer mom, I know you are but what am I. It's just another version with more words and usually grossly silly. What happens when you mistake the Guerilla glue for hemorrhoid cream sort of thing. Very sad.

"Flametards" go to forums specifically meant for that sort of thing to engage in mischief and balderdash of the sort with other like minded people.

Even Reddit has a "Roast me" board where people post photos and invite redditors to roast them. Its a game. And outlet. Done by people who are consenting and voluntarily participating.

Whats fucking weird is for someone who finds all that stupid or "cowardly"(lol wut?) or claims to hate it......yet repeatedly comes to a forum specifically meant to host that behavoir and complains about it.

If you hate trolling and flaming so much and look down your snooty little snout at people who find amusement in it.....WHY would be hanging out on boards that exist for that purpose?

You do this to yourself. There are plenty of places on the internet where everyone is coddled and plays nices and talks about fishing and 60s music and how much they hate religion and how enlightened they are.....youd probably more suited on one of those and the scary, icky trolls and "flametards" wouldnt be touching any of your no no spots.

Js.

 

[Dove]

Of COURSE Admin is confused. Fucking hell.

 

[Admin.]

When leadership becomes a long troll towards authoritarianism, the sheep that follow them start to feel very entitled.

I don’t even like listening to the national leaders anymore, it’s like Triumph The Insult Comic Dog is in charge and drunk.

 

[The Best Holliday]

Whats fucking weird is for someone who finds all that stupid or "cowardly"(lol wut?) or claims to hate it......yet repeatedly comes to a forum specifically meant to host that behavoir and complains about it.

Transformation is a slow process. Consider that 5 years ago when I arrived it was almost wall to wall posts of animals and humans shitting, and other equally disgusting posts. Today we have a Sports Board and Politics Board. There is even subs which are out of bounds to trolling (like this one). See? even though there are times of devolution as we have been recently experiencing, the long trend is positive and here you can see the last gasps of the flametard lamenting the lose of their haunts and also the mean spirited troll sorts. Progress will be made in cycles. That's how evolution works.

 

[Admin.]

Be the OP, you want to see in the forum.