Clerambault's Syndrome Analysis

Mental health care professionals compared to other citizens have a higher chance of being stalked, typically by their own clients for a variety of reasons. In fact, in 2002, a survey was conducted by Sandberg and colleagues on clinical staff that were employed in a psychiatric unit. What they found was out of those surveyed, half of the staff experienced some form of stalking or threatening behavior from their clients during their career (Sandberg, McNeil, & Binder, 2002). Mental health professionals are typically victims of erotomanic stalkers, who are known to have the de Clerambault’s syndrome, which is delusional loving (Burgess, Regehr, & Roberts, 2013, p. 338). Individuals who have this syndrome tend to think someone of qualified standing

is keenly in love with him or her but they are not capable of articulating those feelings to the individual (Burgess, Regehr, & Roberts, 2013, p. 338). In regards to a mental health professional, an erotomanic stalker may believe the professional cannot express their love due to the limitations of a doctor patient relationship (Burgess, Regehr, & Roberts, 2013, p. 338).

Now there are three reason why mental health professionals are placed at a higher risk above all others. First, they frequently work with individuals who have difficulties forming close relationships with other people and often times find themselves in self-contained like environments (Burgess, Regehr, & Roberts, 2013, p. 338). It is without question that this individual may have dealt with abuse and neglect as a child or teen. Next, since it is instructed that these professionals offer a sympathetic role with the patient, it may lead to their actions being misinterpreted and seen as a sign of love for those who have not experienced interpersonal connections in the past (Burgess, Regehr, & Roberts, 2013, p. 338). Thus, adding to the delusion aspect in the stalkers mind. Finally, mental health professionals are more likely to tolerate annoyances unlike that of psychiatric patients (Burgess, Regehr, & Roberts, 2013, p. 338).