De Clèrambault's syndrome (or erotomania) consists in a delusional conviction, by the patient, in which someone of higher social status has fallen in love with him or her. Sexual privation can be an important psychodynamic factor on the development of this condition, but organic factors related to its genesis continue on investigation. This study revises the most important aspects that the literature brings us about this disease and its causes. The databases MEDLINE and LILACS have been consulted, and the most appropriate articles were examined. It is established that erotomania is not much found in the scientific literature, and, probably, it isn't as rare as it has been proposed. The major part of its etiologic explanation is based on psychodynamic factors, without, however, confirmed relation of cause with its clinic presentation. The progress in the neurobiologic researches will improve, perhaps, the accuracy of diagnose and treatment of these patients.

A síndrome de De Clèrambault, ou erotomania, é a convicção delirante que um paciente pode desenvolver de estar sendo amado por alguém de posição social muito proeminente. A síndrome está alocada entre os transtornos delirantes. Relata-se o caso de uma paciente de 46 anos de idade cujos delírios persistem há 32 anos, mantendo um médico como núcleo de seu sistema delirante.

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