Pathologies of passion and related antisocial behaviours

Abstract

The pathologies of the passions of love, jealousy and entitlement may all form parts of major mental illness. For the forensic clinician, erotomania is chiefly of interest for its possible progression into pathological jealousy and/or stalking behaviours. Most accounts of stalking behaviours prior to the twentieth century concern intimacy seeking by erotomanic or infatuated pursuers rather than the more aggressive behaviours of the jealous and querulant rights seekers. Most adults have been in intimate relationships and most have experienced jealousy at some time and to some degree. The behaviours commonly associated with jealousy in the general population can provide at least a signpost to pathology. Jealousy may be experienced by the individual, usually as a challenge to the honour of his family and caste, but is also understood as a threat to the community. The jealousy probably represents aspects of the individual’s life experience or personality vulnerabilities which predate the emergence of active symptoms.