Citation

Habermeyer E, Norra C. Gesundheitswesen 2004; 66(5): 337-340.

Vernacular Title

Stalking: Probleme bei der Differenzierung zwischen sozialer Auffalligkeit und

Affiliation

Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Zentrum für Nervenheilkunde der Universität Rostock. elmar.habermeyer@med.uni-rostock.de

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, Georg Thieme Verlag)

DOI

10.1055/s-2004-813042

PMID

15141354

Abstract

The concept "stalking" refers to willful, malicious, and repeated following or harassment of another person that threatens her or his security. Although there is nothing new about the occurrence of this conduct it has been discussed in psychiatry more intensely in recent years. As a result there are a few attempts at classification, without any claim of general validity. Patterns of stalking behaviour reflect a wide spectrum from aggressive actions in the course of conflicts in a relationship to schizophrenia. Thus, it is not adequate to classify this as a psychiatric disorder per se. Thorough diagnostic assessments are mandatory before introducing legal measures, whereas if these are omitted, the term "mental disorder" may be inappropriately used in a wider sense. This may entail unfavourable consequences to be discussed in this paper.

Language: de