Erotomanic delusions and electroconvulsive therapy: a case series.
BACKGROUND
Erotomania, as a primary disorder, is categorized in DSM-III-R under delusional (paranoid) disorder. However, erotomanic delusions also are seen frequently in the context of other psychiatric disorders. There is increasing evidence that patients with such delusions often have an underlying affective disorder and effective treatment of the underlying disorder can lead to resolution of the erotomanic delusions.


METHODS
The case histories of three patients with prominent affective features and erotomanic delusions are presented.


RESULTS
Each patient was treated with bilateral electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) after experiencing treatment failure with numerous other somatic therapies. One showed only a slight and transient improvement, while two demonstrated resolution of the erotomanic delusions.


CONCLUSIONS
Bipolar and schizoaffective disorder should be considered in patients with erotomanic delusions, and ECT may offer an effective alternative when other somatic treatments have failed.
Remington
G J
GJ
Clinical Investigation Unit, Clarke Institute of Psychiatry, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Jeffries
J J
JJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003702:Delusions / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008149:Love; D008875:Middle Aged; D010259:Paranoid Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome