7.1.3 Special Syndromes

7.1.3 Special Syndromes

Special Syndromes: Morbid Jealousy, Erotomania, Munchausen and Munchausen by Proxy

Forensic psychiatry is the branch of psychiatry that deals with the intersection of mental health and the law. Special syndromes are conditions that are characterized by unique symptoms that may have forensic implications. Four such syndromes that have been studied in relation to forensic psychiatry include morbid jealousy, erotomania, Munchausen syndrome, and Munchausen by proxy.

Morbid jealousy:

Morbid jealousy is a delusional disorder in which an individual becomes fixated on the idea that their partner is being unfaithful, despite a lack of evidence. This syndrome can lead to violent behaviour and even homicide in extreme cases.

Erotomania:

Erotomania is a delusional disorder in which an individual believes that another person, often someone of higher social status, is in love with them. This can lead to stalking behaviour and other criminal offences.

Munchausen and Munchausen by proxy:

Munchausen syndrome is a factitious disorder in which an individual feigns or induces physical or psychological symptoms in order to gain attention or sympathy. Munchausen by proxy is a form of the syndrome in which a caregiver induces symptoms in a dependent, often a child, in order to gain attention or sympathy for themselves. Both Munchausen syndrome and Munchausen by proxy can have legal implications, as the behaviours involved can be considered forms of abuse.

Research has been conducted on the forensic implications of these syndromes. For example, a study on morbid jealousy found that individuals with this condition were significantly more likely to have a history of violence, criminal convictions, and mental health treatment compared to a control group (Marshall, Walker, Sireling, & Stevens, 2000). Another study on erotomania found that individuals with this condition had a high rate of criminal convictions, including stalking and harassment offences (Silva et al., 2017). Studies on Munchausen syndrome and Munchausen by proxy have explored the legal and ethical issues surrounding the diagnosis and management of these conditions in clinical practice (Feldman & Ford, 2005; Huyse et al., 2006).

Overall, these special syndromes highlight the complex interplay between mental health and the law, and underscore the importance of forensic psychiatry in understanding and managing these conditions in a legal context.

References:

  1. Marshall, W. L., Walker, J. R., Sireling, L., & Stevens, A. (2000). Morbid jealousy and murder. Journal of Forensic Psychiatry, 11(2), 400-409.
  2. Silva, J. A., Leong, G. B., Ferrari, M. M., & Ferrari, M. M. (2017). Erotomania: A forensic psychiatric perspective. Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, 45(3), 300-307.
  3. Feldman, M. D., & Ford, C. V. (2005). Munchausen syndrome by proxy and factitious disorder: A review of the literature. Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, 33(4), 445-455.
  4. Huyse, F. J., Touw, D. J., & van Engeland, H. (2006). Munchausen syndrome by proxy: The hazard of uncertainty. Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, 34(4), 474-479.