David Letterman Fan

Erotomania:

What is It?

And Who Ever Had It?

By Lynn A. Granata

Margaret Mary Ray. She was an American woman who suffered from both schizophrenia and erotomania. She received media attention in the late 1980's early 90's because she became a "celebrity stalker." Not only did she target the late night TV host David Letterman, but she then targeted retired astronaut Story Musgrave.  She believed that she was married to these guys.

What is erotomania? It is a delusional disorder classed along the paradigm of schizophrenia-like mental health disorders. Erotomaniacs think that the object of their stalking is truly "in love with them." They become so convinced of the delusion that they begin acting it out in very flagrant ways. For instance, they believe falsely that the love object of their desires loves them back from a distance. For an explanation as to how and why they believe the delusion, they think that he sends them messages through the media such as via airwaves through the TV and internet.

These are called delusions of reference. Delusions of reference is when the love object does something such as give a press conference, the erotomaniac construes it as a message or meaning of their love. When in reality, he doesn't even know who the stalker is or has never even met them! Nonetheless, despite all evidence to the contrary she will still believe that they are destined to be together, or are soul mates. She will stop at nothing to prove their love, like sending the target of her affection unwanted cards and gifts. Women are not the only gender that can become afflicted with erotomania, but the known fact is that the disorder itself afflicts just as many men. They are the ones who will make the news, such as what Margaret Mary Ray has done.

They will get arrested and charged with a another crime in progress, such as speeding and or trespassing. That is how Margaret Ray was originally captured. Ray was later sent to an asylum where she received treatment for her illness. She improved and was released back into the community by the late 1990's. Unfortunately, she lost the battle with the disease and committed suicide by standing on railroad tracks with the intention to die by becoming mutilated by an Amtrak train.

Ray would go to the home of David Letterman, break into it, and leave notes and other novelties.  He actually made a joke out of it on a show that he taped back in 1993.

David Letterman did send his condolences to the family of Margaret Mary Ray after she died from committing suicide in 1998.