Clérambault

Clérambault is a French surname. It is most famously associated with Gaëtan Gatian de Clérambault, a French psychiatrist and physician. Clérambault was born in 1872 and died in 1934. He is primarily known for his significant contributions to the understanding of mental disorders, particularly those involving delusions and obsessions. His work laid groundwork for later psychiatric research.

The term "Clérambault syndrome," also known as erotomania, is named after him. This syndrome is a type of psychiatric disorder where an individual holds a delusional belief that another person, typically of higher social status, is in love with them. The delusion is often persistent and resistant to rational explanation. Clérambault meticulously documented cases of this condition in his clinical practice, providing detailed descriptions of the sufferers' experiences and behaviors. His writings on the subject remain influential in the fields of psychiatry and psychology.

Beyond his work on erotomania, Clérambault also conducted research on other psychological phenomena and developed theories on the nature of psychological automatism. His career was spent primarily at the Salpêtrière Hospital in Paris, where he made considerable advancements in the study of mental illness during the early 20th century. The legacy of his research continues to be studied and debated by professionals in the field.