Health
Fact-checked

At TheHealthBoard, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

What is Erotomania?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Erotomania is a type of delusion where a person becomes convinced that another party is deeply in love with him, even if the two people have never actually met. It can be associated with mental illnesses characterized by delusions, or it may appear on its own, and often forms in response to a trauma or significant life event. There are treatment options available, including medications and psychotherapy, although erotomania can be challenging to manage, as the patient may not recognize a medical problem and seek treatment for it.

In a patient with this disorder, the object of the delusion can become a topic of obsession. In the case of public figures, the patient may believe that secret signals are being sent during public appearances and in the media. A simple habitual hand gesture can be read by the patient as a confession of love, and patients may try to communicate with their love interests by arranging belongings in a particular way or using specific body language.

In some cases, a person suffering from erotomania may behave with extreme jealousy.
In some cases, a person suffering from erotomania may behave with extreme jealousy.

Often, erotomania results in jealousy. This can cause people to engage in bizarre or dangerous activities, ranging from stalking a love interest to attacking people believed to be rivals for the interest's affections. In cases involving celebrities and public figures, there have been documented instances of people with this disorder attempting murder to eliminate rivals or punish people they believe have caused harm to the object of the obsession. Someone carefully watching Celebrity A, for example, might take a catty comment by Celebrity B as an insult and attempt revenge.

Erotomania causes a patient to exhibit delusional behavior.
Erotomania causes a patient to exhibit delusional behavior.

In cases where erotomania revolves around someone the patient is in contact with, the patient may make aggressive and unreasonable demands or behave with extreme jealousy. This can cause problems with social interactions, such as workplace relationships. Patients in existing relationships can experience tension as a result of their delusions, because their partners may feel neglected or slighted when the patient brings up the delusion.

Erotomania is a type of delusion where a person becomes convinced that another party is deeply in love with them, even if the two people have never actually met.
Erotomania is a type of delusion where a person becomes convinced that another party is deeply in love with them, even if the two people have never actually met.

When this condition is identified, treatment can take a number of approaches. In a patient with an existing mental health condition, the development of erotomania can be a sign that the treatment method currently being employed is not working. A doctor may recommend adjusting medications, exploring new avenues in psychotherapy, and making other changes to the plan for managing the condition.

The smallest tells, such as a smile, might set someone off with erotomania.
The smallest tells, such as a smile, might set someone off with erotomania.

In the case of spontaneous occurrences, psychotherapy to understand the origins of the fixation and address it may be recommended, and some patients can also benefit from medication. It is important to recognize that for delusional patients, the delusion is real, and denying it outright will not be a productive approach to treatment and could potentially endanger people if the patient perceives the denial as a threat.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discuss this Article

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • In some cases, a person suffering from erotomania may behave with extreme jealousy.
      By: jörn buchheim
      In some cases, a person suffering from erotomania may behave with extreme jealousy.
    • Erotomania causes a patient to exhibit delusional behavior.
      By: WavebreakmediaMicro
      Erotomania causes a patient to exhibit delusional behavior.
    • Erotomania is a type of delusion where a person becomes convinced that another party is deeply in love with them, even if the two people have never actually met.
      By: iofoto
      Erotomania is a type of delusion where a person becomes convinced that another party is deeply in love with them, even if the two people have never actually met.
    • The smallest tells, such as a smile, might set someone off with erotomania.
      By: Antonioguillem
      The smallest tells, such as a smile, might set someone off with erotomania.
    • Someone with erotomania may believe they are supposed to marry someone they don't have a prior relationship with.
      By: tomas del amo
      Someone with erotomania may believe they are supposed to marry someone they don't have a prior relationship with.