Most persons are acquainted with psychiatric issues resembling schizophrenia and bipolar dysfunction, however some situations are so uncommon that many psychiatrists gained’t come throughout a single case of their skilled lives. Here I current 5 of the rarest – and strangest – syndromes identified to psychiatry.
1. Fregoli syndrome
Fregoli syndrome is the place somebody believes that totally different persons are in actual fact the identical one who simply adjustments their look. People with this syndrome usually really feel persecuted by these they consider to be in disguise. The dysfunction is called after Leopoldo Fregoli, an Italian theatre actor who was identified for his exceptional capability to shortly change his look whereas on stage.
Fregoli syndrome sometimes happens with different psychological issues, resembling bipolar dysfunction, schizophrenia and obsessive-compulsive dysfunction. It may also be brought on by mind harm and use of the drug levodopa within the therapy of Parkinson’s illness.
A assessment in 2018 discovered that fewer than 50 circumstances worldwide had been reported for the reason that situation was first described. However, a more moderen examine (2020) reported an incidence of 1.1% amongst sufferers following a stroke, so actually greater than 50 circumstances however nonetheless very uncommon. There isn’t any identified treatment for Fragoli syndrome, however therapy with antipsychotic medicine might reduce the signs.
2. Cotard’s syndrome
Cotard’s syndrome, also referred to as “strolling corpse syndrome”, is the place folks maintain the delusional perception that they’re lifeless and don’t exist. Others consider that physique components are lacking.
The syndrome is called after the Nineteenth-century French neurologist Jules Cotard, who first described the situation in 1882.
Schizophrenia, melancholy and bipolar dysfunction are danger elements for Cotard’s syndrome. However, it has additionally been reported as a uncommon side-effect of the anti-viral drug acyclovir.
The syndrome is believed to originate from a disconnection between the areas of the mind that recognise faces and the areas that affiliate emotional content material with such facial recognition.
This uncommon situation is often handled with antidepressants, antipsychotics, and temper stabilisers, in addition to electroconvulsive remedy.
3. Alien hand syndrome
Alien hand syndrome is likely one of the strangest neurological issues. It is the place an individual’s hand seems to have a thoughts of its personal and acts autonomously, and the place the individual feels as if their hand doesn’t belong to them.
This syndrome was first recognized in 1908 however was not clearly outlined till the early Seventies. The time period “alien hand syndrome” was coined by Joseph Bogen, an American neurophysiologist, to explain a curious wayward behaviour sometimes seen throughout restoration from sure sorts of mind surgical procedure.
People with alien hand syndrome sometimes have sensory processing issues and dissociate themselves from the actions of their hand. Research signifies that individuals with the syndrome usually personify the alien hand, and will consider it’s possessed by another spirit or alien life kind.
Causes of the syndrome embrace dementia, strokes, prion illness (a deadly mind illness), tumours and seizures. Cases of alien hand syndrome have additionally been reported amongst sufferers who’ve had surgical procedure to separate the left and proper mind hemispheres to deal with extreme epilepsy.
The syndrome could be very uncommon. A assessment in 2013 discovered simply 150 circumstances within the medical journals.
Although there isn’t a treatment for alien hand syndrome, signs will be minimised and managed to some extent by retaining the affected hand occupied and concerned in a job – for instance, by giving it an object to carry in its grasp. Other remedies have included injections of botulinum toxin and mirror field remedy (see video). Stroke sufferers seem to have the perfect therapy success.
Mirror field remedy defined.
4. Ekbom’s syndrome
Ekbom’s syndrome is a tactile hallucination through which victims consider they’re infested with parasites – usually skilled as bugs crawling underneath their pores and skin.
The syndrome is called after Karl Ekbom, a Swedish neurologist who first described the situation within the late Nineteen Thirties.
The actual quantity of people that undergo from this syndrome is unknown, however one examine reported round 20 new circumstances a yr in a big US referral clinic.
According to a meta-analysis of 1,223 Ekbom circumstances, the syndrome is extra frequent amongst ladies (two-thirds ladies, one-third males), and extra frequent in these over the age of 40. Symptoms sometimes lasted three to 4 years.
Ekbom’s syndrome is related to a number of situations, together with paranoid schizophrenia, natural mind illness, neurosis and paranoid character dysfunction. It has additionally been reported in some folks present process alcohol withdrawal, cocaine misuse, strokes, dementia, and lesions in part of the mind known as the thalamus.
Psychological remedies are sometimes not wished by Ekbom’s syndrome victims, as they’re satisfied that the issue wants medical therapy.
5. Alice in Wonderland syndrome
Alice in Wonderland syndrome, also referred to as Todd syndrome, refers to when an individual’s sense of physique picture, imaginative and prescient, listening to, contact and area/time are distorted. People with the situation sometimes expertise objects to be smaller than they really are, whereas folks appear larger than they’re. Or the alternative: objects are perceived to be bigger than they’re and folks seem smaller. These experiences could also be accompanied by emotions of paranoia.
Little is understood about how frequent this dysfunction is. Sufferers are mostly kids and migraine victims.
People with the situation can turn into frightened and panic-stricken, so profitable therapy usually consists of relaxation and leisure. In most circumstances, it’s a comparatively short-lived situation. The most up-to-date assessment on Alice in Wonderland syndrome reported that near half of all victims are handled efficiently.
Mark Griffiths has obtained analysis funding from a variety of organisations together with the Economic and Social Research Council, the British Academy and GambleAware (previously the Responsibility in Gambling Trust). He has additionally carried out consultancy for quite a few playing corporations within the space of social duty, accountable gaming and participant safety. Griffiths' college has obtained funding from Norsk Tipping (the playing operator owned by the Norwegian Government) for his analysis evaluating accountable playing instruments. Views expressed listed here are his personal and never these of those funding our bodies.
