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Sacrifice Chirisa Mental Health Matters
Erotomania is a mental health condition that happens when someone is fixated on the idea that another person is intensely in love with them. The other person may be a celebrity, wealthy, or of a high social position. The condition is also known as De Clérambault’s syndrome.
This fixation on being loved by the other person is considered delusional because it is not based on reality.
In most cases, the person hasn’t even met the person they are fixated on. People with this syndrome may believe that a stranger they have just met is in love with them.
A person with this condition may believe that the other person is attempting to send them secret messages. They can believe this is happening through the news or thoughts (also called telepathy).
They may find it impossible to give up their belief that the other person loves them, despite a lack of evidence that this is true.
The main symptom is a person’s false belief that someone is deeply or obsessively in love with them. There is often no evidence of the other person’s love towards them.
The other person may not even be aware of the existence of the person with erotomania.
A person with this condition might talk about the other person constantly. They may also be obsessed with trying to meet with or communicate with this person so that they can be together.
Common symptoms include:
- Obsessively consuming media related to the other person if they are a celebrity or public figure.
- Constantly sending letters, e-mails, or gifts to the other person.
- Persistently making phone calls to the other person.
- Being convinced that the other person is trying to secretly communicate through glances, gestures, or coded messages in the news, television shows, movies, or social media
- Creating elaborate, but false situations in which the other person is pursuing them, stalking them, or trying to get in touch with them
- Feeling jealousy due to a belief that the other person may be in contact with other “lovers” or may not be faithful.
- Harassing the other person in public, sometimes to the point of being reprimanded or arrested by law enforcement.
- Losing interest in activities other than talking about the other person or doing activities related to them.
Erotomania may only last for a few hours to years if it is a result of an underlying mental health condition. If you notice symptoms of erotomania, seek medical help with a psychiatrist. Getting early treatment is key for erotomania before the person starts showing risky or aggressive behaviour towards another person as this is crucial in preventing this condition from disrupting both their lives.
Treatment for erotomania usually addresses the delusional symptoms; this often involves a combination of psychotherapy and medication. The use of antipsychotic medications like such as pimozide, olanzapine, risperidone, is useful alongside psychotherapy.
Disclaimer: This information has been shared for the sole purpose of educating individuals only, please visit your psychiatrist for medical advice and diagnosis.
Dr Sacrifice Chirisa is a specialist consultant psychiatrist and writes this in his personal capacity. He is the A/Deputy Director Mental Health in the MOHCC head office. Contacts: Cell +263772968269. Email [email protected]
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