Fregoli delusion is
the mistaken belief that some person currently present in the deluded person’s environment
(typically a stranger) is a familiar person in disguise.
Who discovered Fregoli syndrome?
Fregoli syndrome was first described in 1933 [6], a decade after
Capgras and Reboul-Lachaux
described the first case of look-alike impostors [7, 8]. The syndrome is considered a rare neuropsychiatric condition commonly linked to schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and other organic illnesses [8, 9].
Who was Fregoli?
Fregoli was thought to be the
greatest, most versatile quick-change artist of his day
. He was famous for his extraordinary ability in impersonations and his quickness in exchanging roles – so much so that while he was performing in London in the 1890s unkind rumours spread that there was more than one Fregoli.
What causes delusional misidentification syndrome?
Staton et al. (23) suggest another explanation. They propose that delusional misidentification is the consequence of
anatomical-functional disconnection in the deep right temporo-parieto-occipital region
which causes deficit in the memory integration.
Is Capgras syndrome a delusion?
Capgras syndrome is the
most prevalent delusional misidentification syndrome
and is characterized as a delusion of doubles. Patients falsely believe that an identical person has replaced a person close to him or her.
What is de Clerambault syndrome?
A syndrome which was first described by G.G. De Clerambault in 1885 is reviewed and a case is presented. Popularly called erotomania, the syndrome is
characterized by the delusional idea
, usually in a young woman, that a man whom she considers to be of higher social and/or professional standing is in love with her.
What is Capgras syndrome?
Background Capgras syndrome is characterized by
a delusional belief that a person has been replaced by an imposter
. It has been described in psychiatric and neurological (neurodegenerative and nonneurodegenerative) diseases.
What is Reduplicative Paramnesia?
The subjective belief that a place has been duplicated, existing in at least two locations simultaneously
, is termed reduplicative paramnesia (RP) and unlike other duplicative syndromes, is thought to be mainly due to a neurologic cause.
What is a nihilistic delusion?
Nihilistic delusions, also known as délires de négation, are specific psychopathological entities characterized
by the delusional belief of being dead, decomposed or annihilated
, having lost one’s own internal organs or even not existing entirely as a human being.
What is a walking corpse?
Cotard’s syndrome, also known as walking corpse syndrome, is a
neuropsychiatric condition in which people develop false beliefs that their body parts are missing
, or they are dying or they don’t exist. This condition is rare because only 200 known cases are present worldwide.
What is delusional infestation?
Delusional parasitosis is
a psychiatric condition where people have the mistaken belief that they are parasitized by bugs
, worms, or other creatures.
How do delusions work?
Delusions are characterized by an
unshakable belief in things that are not true
, and often, there is a continued belief in the delusion despite contrary evidence. Not all delusions are the same. Some might involve non-bizarre beliefs that could theoretically occur in real life.
What are identity delusions?
They all involve a
belief that the identity of a person, object, or place has somehow changed or has been altered
. As these delusions typically only concern one particular topic, they also fall under the category called monothematic delusions.
How do you treat Capgras delusion?
Antipsychotic medications such as
aripiprazole (Abilify), olanzapine (Zyprexa), and pimozide (Orap)
and may ease delusions and agitation. Antidepressants called SSRIs have helped in some cases. Some experts suggest therapy first to help the patient, and their loved ones, to manage the illness.
What stage of dementia is Capgras?
It was named after Joseph Capgras (1873–1950), a French psychiatrist who described the first case, Madame M, who had the delusion that her husband had been exchanged for a double. Capgras syndrome has repeatedly been reported in
late stage Alzheimer’s dementia
,
38 – 40
but can also occur without dementia.
What is double delusion?
The syndrome of subjective doubles is a rare delusional misidentification syndrome in which a person experiences the delusion that
they have a double or Doppelgänger with the same appearance
, but usually with different character traits, that is leading a life of its own.
