Of all the emotions we possess, the one that is most often misused to cause more harm and create more annoyance than any other is obsession.

Both in fact and fiction, we’ve all heard stories about something like this occurring in someone else’s life. Look at what happened to Phil Hartman, Mary-Jo Buttafucco, Madonna and David Letterman – and what was portrayed in the movies The Fan, Fatal Attraction and Single White Female. Real life or Hollywood – obsession happens.

Think about it, how many stories have you heard about people stalked and killed by an obsessed ex-lover, or a celebrity being forced to move because a “crazed fan” broke into their house? This happens a lot – and the scary thing is – it can happen to anyone of us.

The obsess-or can be anyone – be it a family member, a fan, an ex-lover or a complete stranger – but no matter who it is, for the obsess-ee, this can be a very troubling experience. Usually, the obsess-or is someone who the obsess-ee wants no part of – the problem is that the obsess-or does not care and won’t go away. Despite pleas, demands – and sometimes even legal means – the obsession continues until it ends with peace, compromise – or sometimes, even death.

The obsession itself can be carried out in many ways. Sometimes, the obsess-or will write notes, letters, poems or cards about the person they are obsessed with. Sometimes, the obsess-or will stalk their obsess-ee in the form of following them around and constantly keeping tabs on them – or sometimes – the obsess-or will go so far as to end the life of their obsess-ee because, as the old saying goes, “If I can’t have you no one will.”

So what can be done about this problem? Do we simply sit back and allow these obsess-ors to continue to try and wiggle their way into our lives? Or do we take a stand and expose them for the true psychos that they really are? Either way, obsession is a dangerous thing – for everyone involved.

If you are an obsess-ee, I hope the person that is obsessed with you is dealt with very quickly. If you are an obsess-or, perhaps you should consider what you are doing and realize that what you call obsession, others call harassment – and harassment is against the law. And it doesn’t take a psychic to see that if you are not wanted in someone’s life – then perhaps you should leave him or her alone.