Stalking and the Pathologies of Love

Abstract

Fourteen patients with pathologies of love (erotomania) are presented; all stalked the object of their disordered affections These cases were encountered in forensic practice and were personally assessed, and in most cases managed, by the authors. Victim impact reports or depositions made by the objects of these patient's unwanted attentions were available. All patients indulged in stalking behaviours which included following, loitering in the victim's vicinity, approaching, telephoning, and sending letters. The objects of the patient's affections were threatened in five cases, violently assaulted in five – one fatally – and sexually attacked in seven cases. Those believed to stand in the way of their delusional love were also on occasion the victims of violence. This series is unusual in the degree of intrusiveness and overt violence, which probably reflects the forensic context in which the cases were encountered. The cases comprise a particular group of erotomanics who exhibit stalking and violent behaviour. The erotomanic syndromes often went unrecognised and the threat to the peace and safety of the objects of their affections was not always given proper weight. The clinical importance of this sub-group of stalkers is emphasised, as is their relevance in the legislative, and judicial, responses to stalking.