Dear Annie: I moved into my bungalow six months ago. My new neighbor, we’ll call him “Jeremy,” who I share a very thin party wall with, seemed friendly at first — in fact, overly so. He called first thing every morning — up to eight times a day — mainly to see if I was going out that day so he could pester me to bring things back for him, often without paying for them. In truth, he intimidated me, and I tried to be kind.

When he couldn’t get my attention, he’d bang on the party wall. I gave him meals, but he constantly pestered me for bread, milk, coffee, and tea, none of which he would ever return. He had a mold problem, and I felt sorry for him, so I bought him a new bed and bedding for $800. At Christmas, I gave him $400, suggesting he could repay me by cutting my grass over the year.

He’s abrasive, shouting obscenities at neighbors he believes are targeting him. I thought it best to stay on his good side, but the truth is, he’s a bully.

He started picking on me for being moderately overweight, and I threw him a few warning shots. When it escalated, I snapped and texted him, telling him if he couldn’t say anything nice to say nothing at all! And I blocked him.

Now, he screams insults at me through the wall. He says hello when other people are out and even knocked on my door once to get a charger of his back. I was cordial and obliged, so he knows we’re on speaking terms, but he can’t call me anymore.

Yesterday, Jeremy was in his garden when another neighbor overheard him bullying me for using the bathroom, calling me a “dirty c–.” When the neighbor confronted him, Jeremy quickly tried to cover himself by making it plural and pretending he was addressing his supposed “targets.” I’m sure my other neighbor is not stupid; he’s a man in his 70s who has had past run-ins with Jeremy. A lady who just moved out also had issues with him. The fact that he doesn’t do this in front of other people tells me he’s a coward.

I called my housing association, and they told me to record him. The problem is, his outbursts are short and unpredictable. He probably knows that by the time I press record, it will be too late to catch him. Worse, if the association got involved, I fear he’d do damage to me, my cat or my property. I have mental health issues myself — bipolar disorder and schizophrenia — and am currently being assessed for autism.

Jeremy is causing me a lot of stress, and I’m starting to have thoughts of self-harm. I really can’t afford to move and don’t know what to do. — Trapped and Terrified

Dear Trapped: I’m so sorry you’re going through this. Jeremy’s behavior is flat-out harassment and would be absolutely unacceptable anywhere; the fact you’re enduring it in your own home — a place that should be a safe haven — is heartbreaking.

If you haven’t already, start documenting any and all of Jeremy’s abusive behavior. Even if you’re not able to get it recorded, start logging it. If any of your neighbors can corroborate these incidents, all the better. If your housing association won’t evict Jeremy or intervene, they should at least be able to take a formal complaint from you. Should his behavior escalate to anything physically violent, destructive to your property, etc., do not hesitate to contact your local police.

If moving is truly not an option, I highly encourage you to seek support from a therapist and to lean on your loved ones. Coupled with the mental health issues you’re already facing, I imagine it’s easy to feel alone and isolated — but you aren’t. You deserve to live a happy, peaceful life, and there is support out there to help you make that happen.

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Annie Lane’s second anthology — “How Can I Forgive My Cheating Partner?” featuring favorite columns on marriage, infidelity, communication and reconciliation — is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit http://www.creatorspublishing.com for more information. Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com.