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Prediction of Dangerous Behaviour in Male Erotomania

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Robin P. D. Menzies ,
J. Paul Fedoroff ,
Christopher M. Green  and
Kari Isaacson
Robin P. D. Menzies*
Affiliation:
Regional Psychiatric Centre (Prairies), and Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon
J. Paul Fedoroff
Affiliation:
The Clarke Institute of Psychiatry, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Christopher M. Green
Affiliation:
AMI Stockton Hall, York, UK
Kari Isaacson
Affiliation:
The Clarke Institute of Psychiatry
*
Dr Menzies, Knox Manse, 505 4th Ave N, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada S7K 3M5
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Abstract

Background

New cases of erotomania in men, plus cases from the literature, were analysed to explore any association between erotomania and dangerousness, and to identify possible predictors.

Method

Files at two in-patient facilities were examined to determine the presence of DSM–III–R delusional disorder, erotomanic type. The sample (13 cases) was divided into dangerous and benign groups on the basis of serious antisocial behaviour directly related to erotomanic delusions. These cases were combined with all reports of erotomania in men (16 cases), found in the English language psychiatric literature, to allow for statistical analysis.

Results

Two factors, multiple delusional objects (P < 0.0005) and serious antisocial behaviour unrelated to the delusions (P < 0.05), were found to be significantly associated with dangerousness. Using a combination of these two variables it was possible to predict dangerousness with an accuracy of 88.9% (weighted prediction accuracy or ‘hit rate’). We identified no false negatives but three false positives.

Conclusions

The presence of multiple objects, and a history of serious antisocial behaviour unrelated to the erotomanic delusions, are useful predictors of dangerous behaviour in men with erotomania.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 166 , Issue 4 , April 1995 , pp. 529 - 536
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1995 

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