Citation

Kovács A, Voros V, Fekete S. Arch. Suicide Res. 2005; 9(4): 369-372.

Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Pécs, Hungary. attila/fkovaks@aok.pk.hu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, International Academy of Suicide Research, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/13811110500182430

PMID

16179333

Abstract

Erotomania is a delusional disorder, which is more common among women. A case of erotomania in a 34-year-old male associated with depression and suicidal behavior is presented. At the time he attempted suicide his erotomania fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of "pure" erotomania, described by de Clerambault. A depressive picture with melancholic features emerged four months later. Antidepressant medication was given and two months later he became euthymic. The erotomanic delusion disappeared in the third month of the euthymic state. In this case primary erotomania was associated with a depressive illness, presumably unipolar depression. The patient developed delusional guilt and suicidal ideation before the unequivocal change in his mood. To the authors' knowledge this is the first reported case where the erotomanic symptomatology led to suicidal attempt.

Language: en