title: Bipolar disorder presenting as stalking--a case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Stalking behaviour may find its roots in an individual's psychological development and culture-related factors that facilitate it. Psychiatric disorders may underlie some stalking cases, but no reports exist of the relationship of actual psychiatric status with the expression of stalking behaviour.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 22-year-old adoptive woman perpetrated stalking towards her gynaecologist, who took legal action to protect herself. She was admitted to a general hospital psychiatric department and diagnosed with bipolar disorder-I, manic phase, and personality disorder, not otherwise specified. She was prescribed lithium and valproate combination and followed-up as an outpatient. She underwent cognitive-behavioural therapy incorporating Bowlby's concepts. Stalking behaviour did not reemerge.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Exacerbations of psychiatric episodes may trigger stalking behaviour. Drug treatment may prevent its clinical expression, but underlying ideation and affect may need long-term psychotherapy focusing on attachment.
authors: NESMOS Department (Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Sensory Functions) Sapienza University - Rome, 2nd Medical School, Sant'Andrea Hospital, UOC Psychiatry, Via di Grottarossa 1035-1039, 00189 Rome, Italy. valeria.savoja@gmail.com
authors: Valeria
authors: V
authors: Savoja
authors: Gabriele
authors: G
authors: Sani
authors: Giorgio D
authors: GD
authors: Kotzalidis
authors: Pietro
authors: P
authors: De Rossi
authors: Sara
authors: S
authors: Stefani
authors: Lucia
authors: L
authors: Pancheri
authors: Chiara
authors: C
authors: Santucci
authors: Paolo
authors: P
authors: Roma
authors: Stefano
authors: S
authors: Ferracuti
authors: Alessio
authors: A
authors: Simonetti
authors: Elisa
authors: E
authors: Ambrosi
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Comparelli
authors: Giovanni
authors: G
authors: Manfredi
authors: Roberto
authors: R
authors: Tatarelli
authors: Gloria
authors: G
authors: Angeletti
authors: Paolo
authors: P
authors: Girardi
mesh_terms: D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018692:Antimanic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016651:Lithium Carbonate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010343:Patient Admission; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D019962:Reactive Attachment Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D012383:Romania; D055807:Stalking / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D018692:Antimanic Agents; D016651:Lithium Carbonate; D014635:Valproic Acid