The Capgras Syndrome

According to the dictionary a syndrome is a group of symptoms which consistently occur together, or a condition characterized by a set of associated symptoms. There are some rare and unusual psychological syndromes. One of them is Capgras syndrome.

Capgras syndrome is a psychological condition which is also known as “imposter syndrome” or “Capgras delusion". Capgras syndromewas first described by JosephCapgras and his intern Reboul-Lachaux in 1923. They described the case of a 53-year-old woman who believed that her husband, her children, the police, and her neighbours all had been replaced by identical-looking imposters (Capgras & Reboul-Lachaux, 1923).It is one of the several conditions classified as delusional misidentification syndromes (DMSs). The main characteristic of this syndrome is the delusion in which a person irrationally believes that someone familiar to them has been replaced by an imposter! Some of them experiencing this delusion may also believe an animal or any object to be an imposter. Capgras syndrome is generally more common in women. In rare cases, it also affects children.

Capgras syndrome can also occur as a symptom of a recognized psychosis. It is seldom thought to occur in its pure form. Whenever, the syndrome is occuring as a symptom, its beginning is not subjected to the length of the illness of the condition it is accompanying.

CAUSES

For long the Capgras delusion was thought to be a psychiatric phenomenon with no neurological basis. Now, it has come to be seen as stemming from brain disorder after head trauma or stroke and in neurodegenerative illnesses. The exact causes of this delusion are not known but many neuropsychological theories are proposed to explain the occurance Capgras delusion.

Capgras syndrome is most commonly associated withAlzheimer's diseaseor dementia. Both of these affect memory and the ability of a person to perceive the world.

Schizophrenia, especially paranoid hallucinatory schizophrenia and epilepsy are believed to cause episodes of Capgras syndrome.

Capgras delusion can also occur due to a disconnection between visual part of the brain and the area that processes facial familiarity causing a person to misidentify people they know.

A study conducted in 2015 found that hormonal disbalances may also be a risk factor. The study examined a case of Capgras syndrome that was related tohypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid gland.

In rare cases, brain injury causing cerebral lesions can also cause Capgras syndrome. This becomes most common specially when injury occurs at the back of the right hemisphere.

There are several theories on the causes of this syndrome. Some believe it to be a problem of processing information or an error in perception concurring with damaged and missing memories.

TREATMENT

At present, there is no prescribed treatment scheme for people affected with Capgras syndrome because more researches are needed in this field. But there are treatment options that may help relieve the symptoms by addressing underlying causes.Some care facilities also use validation therapy.

The most effective treatment is to create a positive environment where the affected person feels secured.