Admiring a singer, a footballer or an actress is a common, almost universal phenomenon. But where does the admiration end and the obsession begin? In our column “Le Coach”, psychologist Dorothée Bruni deciphers the complex relationship between fans and celebrities and helps us spot the warning signals.
The word “fan” is not trivial: it draws its root from the term “fanatic”. If for most of us, being a fan is limited to following the news of an artist or attending his concerts, for others, this passion can become all-consuming.“Like everything, it’s a question of dosage. Admiration can be a driving force, an inspiring model, but it can also tip into a destructive passion”explain Dorothée Bruni au micro de Maritima.
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Fanaticism: when you lose yourself
One of the main dangers identified by the psychologist is loss of self. The fan no longer lives for his own projects, but vicariously through the life of his idol.
“We notice a shift from the moment when the fan loses himself, when this creates psychological suffering. The fan ends up losing his professional, family and social reference points”she emphasizes. This disconnection from reality is often amplified by social networks, which give the illusion of immediate and constant proximity to the celebrity.
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Erotomania: a psychiatric pathology
In the most extreme cases, the relationship can drift towards erotomania. It is a delusional belief of being loved by a person, often a celebrity. According to Dorothée Bruni, this disorder generally follows three stages:
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Mad love:Â The immense hope and certainty of a reciprocal bond.
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The disappointment:The fan realizes that his love is not rewarded.
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Revenge:Â Passion turns into hatred or aggressive behavior.
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Signs that should alert loved ones
For parents of teenagers or spouses, it is crucial to spot the moment when passion changes nature. The warning signs are:
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Isolation:Â The subject locks himself in his room and lives only for his passion.
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Le désintérêt global : School, friends or sports no longer matter. Only the idealized “character” exists.
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La perte de la notion de réalité:The fan no longer distinguishes the public life of the artist from his own private life.
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A reciprocal intrusion
The fan/celebrity relationship also raises the question of the star’s intimacy.“To what extent does the public figure agree to give himself to strangers?”asks Dorothée Bruni. The celebrity sometimes becomes, despite herself, a member of the family for people she will never meet, creating a profound relational imbalance.
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Need advice or support?
Dorothée Bruni vous reçoit à son cabinet situé à  Martigues. You can also ask your questions for the next column by sending an email to:coach@maritima.info.
