[Stalking: a new traumatic syndrome?]

Stalking is a recently described syndrome including a pattern of repeated intrusion and seeking for intimate relationship with another person that is unwanted. Such behaviour is perceived as an explicit threat from a victim who experiences fear. Recent studies indicate that stalking is an important legal and clinical issue with elevated prevalence rates especially among women (10%) eventually with dramatic consequences. Furthermore stalking situation are important in psychiatric practice especially among patients referred to emergency room and crisis intervention. A specific form of "treatment barrier" comes along with stalking and will be discussed. Judiciary actions are often necessary before it is possible to plan a treatment.