Citation

Habermeyer E, Hoff P. Fortschr. Neurol. Psychiatr. 2002; 70(10): 542-547.

Vernacular Title

"Stalking": Eine populare, aber lediglich eingeschrankt verwertbare Konzeption

Affiliation

Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie am Universitätsklinikum Aachen, Germany. ehabermeyer@ukaachen.de

Copyright

(Copyright © 2002, Georg Thieme Verlag)

DOI

10.1055/s-2002-34665

PMID

12376916

Abstract

Aspects of "stalking" behaviour have been discussed predominantly in the Anglo-American psychiatric literature. However following new legal regulations, "stalking" is expected to gain relevance for the German forensic psychiatry. "Stalkers" are a heterogeneous group presenting with a wide range of relational or even psychotic motives for their behaviour. Therefore careful diagnostics are required. Legal responsibility can be estimated by assessing the capacity of the offender to understand (cognitive functioning) and to control his behaviour (volitional functioning). The severity of possible restrictions can be assessed by comparing them to the known impairments in cases of erotomania.

Language: de