Thursday 12 September 2013

De Clerambault Syndrome (Erotomania)


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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