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Professional paper

BIPOLAR DISORDER PRESENTING AS STALKING - A case report

Valeria Savoja ; NESMOS Department (Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Sensory Functions), Sapienza University - Rome, 2nd Medical School, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy
Gabriele Sani ; NESMOS Department (Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Sensory Functions), Sapienza University - Rome, 2nd Medical School, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy
Giorgio D. Kotzalidis ; NESMOS Department (Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Sensory Functions), Sapienza University - Rome, 2nd Medical School, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy
Pietro De Rossi ; NESMOS Department (Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Sensory Functions), Sapienza University - Rome, 2nd Medical School, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy
Sara Stefani ; NESMOS Department (Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Sensory Functions), Sapienza University - Rome, 2nd Medical School, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy
Lucia Pancheri ; Societa Psicoanalitica Italiana - Roma, Rome, Italy
Chiara Santucci ; NESMOS Department (Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Sensory Functions), Sapienza University - Rome, 2nd Medical School, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy
Paolo Roma ; NESMOS Department (Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Sensory Functions), Sapienza University - Rome, 2nd Medical School, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy
Stefano Ferracuti ; NESMOS Department (Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Sensory Functions), Sapienza University - Rome, 2nd Medical School, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy
Alessio Simonetti ; NESMOS Department (Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Sensory Functions), Sapienza University - Rome, 2nd Medical School, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy
Elisa Ambrosi ; NESMOS Department (Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Sensory Functions), Sapienza University - Rome, 2nd Medical School, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy
Anna Comparelli ; NESMOS Department (Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Sensory Functions), Sapienza University - Rome, 2nd Medical School, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy
Giovanni Manfredi ; NESMOS Department (Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Sensory Functions), Sapienza University - Rome, 2nd Medical School, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy
Roberto Tatarelli ; NESMOS Department (Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Sensory Functions), Sapienza University - Rome, 2nd Medical School, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy
Gloria Angeletti ; NESMOS Department (Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Sensory Functions), Sapienza University - Rome, 2nd Medical School, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy
Paolo Girardi ; NESMOS Department (Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Sensory Functions), Sapienza University - Rome, 2nd Medical School, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy


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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.
Case Report: 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.
Conclusion: 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.

Keywords

stalking; bipolar disorder; object attachment; lithium

Hrčak ID:

76512

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/76512

Publication date:

31.3.2011.

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