[Stalking: unwelcome company. The psychopathology of a modern phenomenon].

The term stalking describes a pattern of behavior in which the victim is pursued, pestered and threatened. In many cases, the stalker resorts to physical violence, and may even commit murder. In the German-speaking areas, the phenomenon is to date not much discussed in the psychiatric and psychological literature, despite the fact that it is a widespread occurrence. While stalkers are diagnosed as suffering from schizophrenia and/or narcissistic as well as borderline disorders, victims have no typical "victim personality". They do, however, respond to stalking with anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorders, which need to be recognized and treated.