Coexistence and independence between a mental disorder and female stalking.
There are few studies of female stalkers in literature addressing different study populations. There appears to be a high incidence of mental disease among female stalkers, having an important role in inducing the harassment. We present a woman affected by a bipolar disorder who had a long affair with her victim, broken off in 2007. Stalking began in January 2009 and continued for 6 months, during which time she was not taking drugs and was in a decompensated clinical phase. In July 2009, she was denounced for harassment; the authorities demanded a psychiatric examination. The woman then resumed taking the medication regularly. In December 2009, although she was in complete remission, she began stalking once more. This case shows that even when there seems to be an evident relation between psychopathology and crime, it is always necessary to evaluate to what extent the mental disorder is responsible for the criminal behavior.
Section of Criminology and Forensic Psychiatry, University of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare, 70124 Bari, Italy.
Roberto
R
Catanesi
Felice
F
Carabellese
Donatella
D
La Tegola
Egle
E
Alfarano
D000328:Adult; D018692:Antimanic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D003134:Commitment of Persons with Psychiatric Disorders; D003987:Dibenzothiazepines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005555:Forensic Psychiatry; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D000069348:Quetiapine Fumarate; D055807:Stalking / Q000523:psychology*; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use
D018692:Antimanic Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003987:Dibenzothiazepines; D000069348:Quetiapine Fumarate; D014635:Valproic Acid; D006220:Haloperidol