Is this Parasocial or Rejection Trauma
Hi, never used Reddit before(Accidentally deleted my post lol) but! Where better to ask about parasocial relationships? I am a f 32 and I am disabled and need accommodation for seating. Like at the end of a table or an aisle. I went to Gencon 2026 and bought an event that taught you new games. There were a few celebrities there, sponsoring certain games and teaching them. Some I knew, some I did not. Staff put me to the side for seating but ultimately forgot about me before starting the event. Celebrity, let's call him John (mid 30s) stopped the staff, gesturing to me. The rest of the staff and celebrities were confused so he crossed the room to stand next to me and ask if I still needed a seat. He personally made sure staff got me situated before returning to his spot. When I got to his table we laughed and joked. He also remained professional and helped out other people. One difference is he stood behind me, reaching his arm around me to show me different game mechanics. Probably nothing. In between games he would come up to me and joke with me. Not all of my attention was on him. And not all of his attention was on me.
After a few more days at Gencon staff and strangers treated me horribly. My interactions with him stood out. I reached out, But he's verified, I'm not. So who knows if he even saw it. I met other celebrities, equally attractive and equally available and do not feel any type of way about them not messaging me back. Even one that followed me on insta. John is someone regardless of status I would have tried to keep in my community.
Now I'm spiraling that I have nothing to offer him, that how dare I think the attraction could have been mutual. That I'm a creepy stalker. But on the other side I'm spiraling that he just hasn't seen my messages because I'm not verified.
I have ghosting trauma because my best friend of twenty years ghosted me out of the blue. And I can't help but freak out when I don't know what's going on, on the other side of the phone.
Thank you, any advice is appreciated