Could this be erotomania?

Hi, newbie here. I hope it's ok to make a new thread... please let me know if not.

I am very worried that something I am experiencing at the moment is erotomania, but the information out there doesn't answer any of my questions. I believe a famous person is in love with me based on his actions, along with other typical symptoms (including 'psychic' stuff), but it is not an unshakeable belief and I am open to accepting it is not real. Whilst I would be extremely upset, I could walk away from it if I had proof it's only a delusion. It is also constant rather than occuring in episodes, and I would never go to the extremes of stalking him or sending things to him cause I don't want to bother him, or embarrass myself, if I am wrong. On the other hand, I am in love with this person and don't want to walk away if it could be real. Friends have confirmed that his actions are unusual so it isn't something 100% imaginary... but obviously it is still a very unlikely scenario. Has anyone else experienced something like this? Any idea if it definitely sounds like it is erotomania?

Thank you in advance.

Hi Nora1990,
Welcome to the delusional disorder forum, hope you find the support you are looking for here. As for erotomania, I'd make an appointment with a trained healthcare provider ASAP to help you sort this out. If you are suffering from delusional love, it helps to talk about it, and get insight from trusted others. I've totally been there in the delusional love zone, and once it takes hold, it is not healthy. I'd recommend making an appointment sooner rather than later. These delusional beliefs have a way of sneaking into your memory banks. I know mine became corrupted when I got sick. But there is hope with treatment, you can recover and live a functional life. I live in recovery, and have even started dating again. With treatment and plenty of time to recover... Life goes on.
Sunny

If the famous person didn't give you their private unpublished contact numbers, it's a delusion.

Thanks very much for the replies. I don't want to believe it isn't real... but I am going to try to break away from it. These situations are toxic either way. It has ruined my relationship and I guess it will eventually ruin my life if it carries on.

Thanks
Nora

Hi nora1990. Just wanted to say that I experienced something almost exactly like this. You're right that it's a very toxic experience. Becoming enveloped in thoughts about what's real and what's not can be torturous, regardless of the source of the uncertainty. I'm just now starting to wrest back control of my mind after becoming engulfed and overwhelmed by the question of whether someone cared for me. The reality is that I'll never know, but I'm coming to terms with that. And that's not just a trick of my mind to allow me to indulge the idea that she might have loved me, instead of having to face the reality that she doesn't. It's just the nature of the situation. I will never know. I will never get any sort of closure. But I've come to accept that and am starting to move on. And I feel deeply relieved now that I am.

I guess what I'm saying is that if you can use objective reality and perceptions to understand what's actually happening, that's a good thing. But there are times when you won't be able to know things definitively. And it's those instances you have to identify and realize that the only thing you can do is accept the uncertainty and let it go. The more you question it the deeper you'll sink into the quagmire.

Anyway, I really hope you can eventually move past this to a healthier, happier place. Good luck to you.

That's basically what you have to do- accept the uncertainty. I'll probably never have answers to a lot of my questions. I have come to accept that. I am enjoying my family, functioning well at work, and taking care of myself. I am happy the illness is not controlling my life like it did before.

Cornelius wrote:Hi nora1990. Just wanted to say that I experienced something almost exactly like this. You're right that it's a very toxic experience. Becoming enveloped in thoughts about what's real and what's not can be torturous, regardless of the source of the uncertainty. I'm just now starting to wrest back control of my mind after becoming engulfed and overwhelmed by the question of whether someone cared for me. The reality is that I'll never know, but I'm coming to terms with that. And that's not just a trick of my mind to allow me to indulge the idea that she might have loved me, instead of having to face the reality that she doesn't. It's just the nature of the situation. I will never know. I will never get any sort of closure. But I've come to accept that and am starting to move on. And I feel deeply relieved now that I am.

I guess what I'm saying is that if you can use objective reality and perceptions to understand what's actually happening, that's a good thing. But there are times when you won't be able to know things definitively. And it's those instances you have to identify and realize that the only thing you can do is accept the uncertainty and let it go. The more you question it the deeper you'll sink into the quagmire.

Anyway, I really hope you can eventually move past this to a healthier, happier place. Good luck to you.

This post was so helpful, thank you! That is exactly how I feel. I'm trying to move on with the attitude that if this person does love me, he can prove it, and if he doesn't, well it hopefully won't matter because I'll have moved on.

I have had erotomania for 4 years, and it is coming back. Luckily I'm recognizing it, and am going to get help. But I really regret all the life I missed out on, all the reality I missed out on, even if the feeling of being 'loved' at the time was very nice.

I chose reality. I just hope reality continues to chose me. This is very scary! I don't want to lose more of my life.

I've written two long posts about my situation, and neither have appeared on the forum. I'm new, but I'm sure there is nothing inappropriate about them, I just told my story of delusional erotomania, and I could really use the help and support, anyone know why when ever I choose 'new topic' it doesn't show up?

Hello,
Please feel free to share your experience in this thread. I have written several posts in the past. I have had this illness for years but am doing amazingly well in the present. There's hope. She's Come Undone