title: Pathological infatuation or the Blue Angel syndrome.
abstract: The term masochism has undergone an evaluation since first being introduced solely in relation to sexual perversion by Kraft Ebing in 1906. Masochism can be defined as any behavior that is repetitively self destructive. Relationships in which partners sacrifice themselves and their own best interests can be considered masochistic. There is a difference between a normal pattern of falling in love and a masochistic pattern. The concept of pathological infatuation or what this author has termed the Blue Angel syndrome is presented. A case history with clinical examples is examined to further illustrate these concepts.
authors.affiliation: Graduate Program in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, Columbia University, New York, NY.
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Bruno
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008149:Love; D008297:Male; D008398:Masochism / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009769:Object Attachment; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing / Q000379:methods; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods