Subtypes of stalking (obsessional following) in adolescents.

Stalking, which has been given the clinical term "obsessional following", is repetitive threatening or harassing behavior that creates a fear of harm in the victim. Empirical and theoretical literature on this form of behavior is beginning to develop and focuses primarily on adults. Three major subtypes of obsessional following have been identified: erotomania, love obsessional, and simple obsessional/borderline erotomania. Using this typology and available empirical research, a context is set in which three cases of adolescent obsessional following are discussed and analysed. These cases document that stalking/obsessional following occurs in adolescents and that important similarities and differences appear to exist between adult and adolescent offenders. Hypotheses are generated to encourage further study of this significant problem. Copyright 1998 The Association of Professionals in Services for Adolescents.