Erotomania: A psychodynamic overview

Abstract

Introduction

Erotomania is a delusional disorder in which one believes to be loved by someone else. Even though its etiology is not known, psychodynamic factors have been proposed as a possible explanation.

Objectives

To review the psychodynamic etiology of erotomania.

Methods

A search of the Medline/Pubmed database was conducted using the terms “erotomania” and “psychodynamic”.

Results

Several authors wrote about the psychodynamic etiology of erotomania. Kraepelin describes it as a “compensation for the disappointments of life”. De Clérambault highlights the idea of “sexual pride”: stimulated by the absence of affective and sexual approval, erotomania flourishes as a way of satisfying the individual's pride. Hollender and Callahan explain the disorder as a result of an ego deficit of not feeling attractive enough. According to Segal, the erotomanic delusion meets the patient's need for love and it is related to the idea of it as the ultimate way of approval. Taylor highlights the patients’ isolation, loneliness and extreme dependence on others.

Conclusions

About every author agrees with the idea that the erotomanic delusion acts as a gratification to the individual's narcissistic needs, when personal experience has failed to do so. Wanting to be loved is the core of human motivation and the delusion most commonly appears in people who feel rejected by society; facing that perceived rejection, it emerges as the fantasy that other human being is in love with them. This is a relevant overview of this disorder with implications in patients’ treatment, since psychotherapy could be important along with drug treatment.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.