Hyderabad: What begins as trolling, morphed images or public shaming on social media is increasingly ending in psychiatric clinics, with doctors in Hyderabad reporting a rise in young adults seeking help for severe psychological distress and, in some cases, symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).The trend, experts say, is no longer confined to celebrities facing viral abuse. Ordinary youngsters with little or no public profile are becoming targets of online harassment, threats and humiliation, often leaving lasting emotional scars.PTSD is a mental health condition that can develop after a deeply distressing or traumatic experience. Symptoms may include intrusive memories, nightmares, persistent fear and heightened alertness, affecting sleep, relationships, and daily functioning. The World Health Organisation’s ICD-11 also recognises complex PTSD, which can involve difficulties with emotional regulation, self-image and relationships.Doctors say awareness about the psychological impact of cyberbullying has grown, leading more victims and their families to seek professional help.Dr Charan Teja Koganti, consultant neuropsychiatrist, said online bullying became more common with the rise of social media and has intensified in recent years, particularly among young adults.Cases seeking counselling have increased, especially over the past two years, as victims and families increasingly recognise signs of psychological trauma alongside concerns about personal safety, he said.He recalled treating a high school student who was not very active on social media but suddenly began receiving morphed images of herself from an anonymous account. Unable to identify the person behind the harassment, she became deeply distressed and even attempted self-harm.“It was a long journey to help her recover. She was clearly experiencing PTSD symptoms,” he said.The student underwent counselling and other treatment for six months before recovering.Dr C Veerender Chennoju, founder and chief counselling psychologist at You & Me Counselling Centre, said both men and women can suffer severe emotional consequences from online humiliation.He cited the case of a married man who became distressed after his wife shared screenshots of his online interactions with another woman among family members. The public exposure pushed him into social withdrawal and caused significant emotional stress.During counselling, the couple underwent cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). According to Dr Veerender, the wife later acknowledged that she should have addressed the issue directly with her husband instead of circulating the screenshots among relatives.In another case, a schoolgirl was relentlessly mocked online after classmates created memes targeting her weight following a school function. The bullying, carried out by both boys and girls, subjected her to prolonged humiliation.Dr Gautami Nagabhairava, psychiatrist at Kamineni Hospitals, said PTSD can develop after a range of traumatic or deeply distressing experiences, and online bullying can be one of them.Not everyone subjected to cyberbullying develops PTSD, she noted, but the psychological impact should never be underestimated.When victims suffer in silence without emotional support or professional intervention, they may develop depression, anxiety or engage in self-harm, she cautioned.Mental health professionals say the rise in such cases underscores how online abuse, often dismissed as harmless trolling, can have serious real-world consequences for victims.
