by Sapphire Mason-Brown

Created on: April 09, 2007   Last Updated: May 02, 2007

Erotomania, also known as de Clerambault's syndrome after the French psychiatrist Gatan Gatian de Clerambault is when a person holds a delusional belief that a person, often a stranger is in love with them.

Most erotomanics have someone of high social status, often celebrities as their subject. Some may focus their attention on someone who has exhibited kindness towards them. Erotomania is more that simple daydreaming. Erotomaniacs construct a detailed fictional relationship with another person. They often believe that that it was the object of their desire initiated their relationship. They fail to comprehend that the object of their desire does not share their feelings. Anything that prevents their object from "expressing" their feelings must be the result of someone's manipulation. Erotomaniacs may interpret natural bodily actions or general seemingly innocuous acts as secret ways of communicating their love.

Although uncommon, Erotomania is more common in women than men. Many would have low self esteem and intimacy problems. The inability to form a strong, lasting relationships to real life results in a desire to fantasize. Often having experienced loss, they feel safer attaching themselves to people who are unattainable, preventing any further loss. Some Erotomaniacs would have come from abuse.

Erotomania is, at times, a primary primary symptom of borderline personality disorder or delusional disorder such as schizophrenia. Erotomania is not easy to spot or diagnose. The psychological causing the behaviour would often be treated with a combination of anti-psychotic drugs and behaviour therapy.

The subject of Erotomanis was a key feature in the novel 'Enduring Love'. The character, Jed Parry, believes that another character, Joe Rose is in love with him following an accident that briefly brings them together. This eventually results in fear, obsession and violence.

Celebrities that have been subjects of Erotomania:
Linda Ronstadt
David Letterman
Madonna
Barbara Mandrell
Ronald Reagan
Steven Spielberg

Learn more about this author, Sapphire Mason-Brown.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.