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SYNDROME
Mariana Acevedo & Joshua Hales
Description
The person's primary delusion is that a close relative or friend has been replaced
by an impostor, an exact double, despite recognition of familiarity in appearance
and behavior.
The patient may also see himself as his own double. Persons suffering from
Capgras Syndrome typically believe they exist in a world of impersonators.
Syndrome Characterictics
1. The person is
convinced that
one or several
persons known
by the sufferer
have been
replaced by a
double, an
identical looking
imposter
3. It can be
extended to
animals and
objects
Associated features
1.
Cerebral lesions
caused by head
injury
2.
Schizophrenic
diseased conditions
3.
Affects both sexes,
but prevalent in
women
Differential diagnosis
Similar disorders
Schizophre
nia
Alzheime
r
Hungtint
on
Multiple
sclereosis
Traumatic
brain injury
Mood
disorders with
delusions
Substance-induced
delusional disorders
Dementia
Cause
The Capgras Syndrome and related substitution delusions
have an organic etiology (35%).
A simple failure of normal recognition processes:
Brain damage to the right side
Drug overdose
Treatment
Individual therapy
Persistence to establish a therapeutic empathy
Cognitive techniques with reality testing and reframing
Antipsychotics drugs
Counseling and
psychotherapy
Cognitive-behavioural therapy
Persistent gentle discussions about evidence for the belief
Reconsider the false belief about the substitution
delusions against the available evidence.
(An
example)
Thank you!
Bibliography