A syndrome which was
first described by G.G. De Clerambault in 1885 is reviewed and a case is
presented. Popularly called erotomania, the syndrome is characterised by the
delusional idea, usually in a young woman, that a man whom she considers to be
of higher social and/or professional standing is in love with her. She develops
an elaborate delusional process about this man, his love for her, his pursuit
of her, and her inability to escape his “affectionate clutches.” This syndrome
may persist for a period of a few weeks to a few months in the recurrent form
and be replaced by a similar delusion about another man. In the fixed form, it may persist for
several years. There are reports of persons maintaining the
syndrome for longer than 25 years.
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