More Forensic Romances: DeClerambault's Syndrome in Men - Journal article analysis - violence and competency to stand trial

Aug 26, 2026

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The text examines DeClérambault’s syndrome (erotomania) in men, challenging the view that it is exclusively a female disorder. It presents seven cases of violence-prone male offenders, including Hinckley and Poddar, and discusses the syndrome nosologically and its implications for competency to stand trial. The discussion emphasizes that clinicians should recognize the condition in men, ensure correct diagnosis and management, and consider the risk of violence when the delusional “love” remains persistently unrequited.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages8

Reading Time20 min

AccessFree to download

Background and definition

Traditional view vs male cases

Case material and forensic relevance

Seven violence-prone male cases

Impact on competency to stand trial

Clinical guidance

Diagnosis and management priorities

Violence when unrequited

# More Forensic Romances:DeClerambault's Syndrome in Men Robert Lloyd Goldstein,MD,JD De Clérambault's syndrome(erotomania)has invariably been regarded as afemale disorder(with male victims);however,a number of recent reports describemale patients with the disorder,especially in violence-prone male offender popula-tions.Seven cases are presented of violence-prone men suffering from the disorder,including Hinckley and Poddar.The syndrome is discussed from a nosological pointof view and in terms of its impact on competency to stand trial. Psychiatrists should be aware that the syndrome is not a rarity among men,aspreviously thought,and that proper diagnosis and management are essential in viewof the clinical course of the disorder and the potential for violence when the patient's“love”is persistently unrequited by the delusional love object. Omnibus enim ex animi perturbationis est profecto nulla vehementior.Furor amoris.[Of alltheemotions,there is none more violent than love.Love is a madness.] —CiceroTusculan Disputatons,IV,xxxV In an earlier paper entitled "De Clér-ambault in Court:A Forensic Rom-ance,"I offered the first modern-era de-scription of De Clerambault's syndrome(erotomania)within a forensic psychi-atric framework,*i.e.,the utilization ofthis diagnosis in a successful insanity defense.This unusual syndrome invar-iably is described as a female disorder(with the man as victim),wherein thewoman holds the delusional belief thatan unattainable man of higher socialstatus(sometimes a public figure,anactor,a politician,a millionaire,or evena member of a royal family)is secretlyand passionately in love with her.Thepatient believes that her secret loverwatches over her,makes advances toher,and communicates with her usinghis extraordinary resources.In reality,the unsuspecting man usually does notknow the patient and their relationshipwas either momentary or never existedin fact. Recently,a number of reports by my- self and others suggest that De Cleram- Bull Am Acad Psychiatry Law,Vol.15,No.3,1987 bault's syndrome in men is not the rarityit was thought to be.²-5+In his OeuvresPsychiatriques,⁹De Clérambault de-scribed five cases in detail and referredto one other patient with the syndrome.One of these original patients was a man: Aged 34 years,he had a morbid passion to-wards his ex-wife.Although she maintainedshe did not love him,he claimed her attitudealways belied her words.After her re-marriage,he said she would once again become his mis-tress and that when he had satisfied his pridehe would again reject her.He was constantlywriting,ambushing her,and striking her inpublic.He carried a razor,threatening “if youremarry,I'll get you both."He alleged that herdivorce from him was null and void.0 Thus,the very first case of De Cléram-bault's syndrome per se reported in aman involved violent behavior that wastriggered by the core symptomatology. Although traditionally regarded as afemale disorder of little more than curi-osity value,it was recognized that insome cases a potential for violent anti-social behavior was realized: The patients may bring chaos into the lives oftheir victims who usually give them no en-couragement whatsoever.They may bombardthem with letters,telegrams,and telephonecalls without respite,both at home and at workand for long periods of time....These patientsmay even be dangerous and wind up makingan attempt on the life of their victim or mem-bers of his family.This is particularly liable tooccur when the patient reaches the stage ofresentment or hatred which replaces love,afterrepeated advances are unrequited.They maythus require prolonged hospitalization to pre-vent them from carrying out the threats whichare contained in their letters.1 十Aside from De Clerambault's original description ofone case in a man,I could find only two earlier refer-ences to erotomania in a man,by Esquirol(1838)andBrill(1913),both of whom described men preoccupiedwith famous actresses who they belie

FAQs

Why does the text argue that DeClérambault’s syndrome is not rare in men?

It cites multiple recent reports and prior literature describing male patients, and it provides seven new cases, indicating the condition occurs more often in men than previously thought.

What forensic issue does the article connect to DeClérambault’s syndrome?

It discusses how the syndrome affects competency to stand trial and frames its use within a forensic psychiatric context.

Under what circumstances does the text highlight the potential for violence?

It notes that violence risk increases when the patient’s delusional love is persistently unrequited, especially after developments that replace love with resentment or hatred.

Aug 26, 2026

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