This Rare Psychological Condition Causes People To Believe A Loved One Is An Imposter
Imagine waking up one day thinking that a loved one of yours was replaced by an imposter. That’s the type of thing people with Capgras syndrome experience.
The rare psychological condition is characterized as a delusion of doubles. It is a misidentification syndrome that is also known by a few other names, such as “imposter syndrome” or “Capgras delusion.”
Overview of Capgras Syndrome
People with Capgras syndrome believe that a loved one is not who they say they are. They might recognize the other person’s face but don’t feel an emotional connection to them.
They may accuse a spouse or other family member of posing as their loved one. This can lead to aggression or violence, potentially putting themselves or other people at risk. The accusations can also be upsetting for both parties involved.
There are times when the person experiencing Capgras syndrome may believe that an object, animal, or even their own home is an imposter. Capgras syndrome can affect anyone, but it’s more common in people who were assigned as female at birth.
The diagnostic criteria for Capgras syndrome are not included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5) because the condition is so rare.
Causes of Capgras Syndrome
The causes of Capgras syndrome are unknown, but there are several working theories. Research has linked it to brain injuries, lesions, and neurological disorders.
simona – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only, not the actual person
Traumatic brain injuries can affect mood, emotional regulation, memory, and other important processes, such as what you see or hear. When the temporal cortex is damaged, the ability to recognize faces might be lost.
Capgras syndrome is also associated with several neurological conditions, including dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, and stroke. These conditions can affect memory and how the patient perceives reality.
Around 16 percent of people with Alzheimer’s disease also have Capgras syndrome, and a 2019 review found that of 258 people diagnosed with Capgras syndrome, 32 percent also had schizophrenia.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of Capgras syndrome will vary between individuals. The primary feature is that the supposed imposter or double is someone that the person is familiar with. Some other symptoms might include violent outbursts, aggressions, and hallucinations.
People with Capgras syndrome typically believe that the supposed imposter means them harm, so their behavior will become hostile.
Treatment
More research on Capgras syndrome is needed to establish a treatment plan, but options exist to help improve symptoms.
Depending on the underlying cause, medications may be prescribed, such as cholinesterase inhibitors for dementia and Alzheimer’s patients or antipsychotics for people with schizophrenia. Therapy can also ground patients in the reality of their environment and help them overcome their delusions.
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