Effects of Social Media Use on Erotomanic Delusional Disorder

Primary erotomania, or erotomanic delusional disorder, is a rare condition characterized by a subject’s delusion that someone else is in love with them. Erotomania without the presence of other mental health conditions is extremely uncommon, and the development of delusions is not well understood; however, research has suggested that delusions often follow periods of heightened mood and emotionality. Social networking sites have become increasingly utilized over the past decade, and research has shown connections between the use of these sites and negative mood changes. Considering that social media use can decrease mood, this study aims to determine if SNS use can predict mood changes and if both these mood changes and SNS use can predict future effects on erotomanic delusion. Data on the mood, social media use, and delusions of 40 individuals diagnosed with primary erotomania will be collected through ecological momentary assessments (EMAs); this data will then be used to find correlations between mood, SNS use, and delusions.