Delusional misidentification involving the self

Article Abstract:

There are two psychiatric syndromes in which a patient believes he has been replaced by a double or an imposter. In one such delusion, the syndrome of subjective doubles, the patient believes that he has a double. In Capgras syndrome, the belief in a self-double is fairly rare, but this condition is always accompanied by the belief that other people and places have been replaced. A comprehensive literature review is presented of all 20 published cases since 1900 in which patients believed that a double of the self existed. These cases are listed in tabular form, giving the reference, a brief description of the delusion, and the diagnosis. Also, the most recent case is reported in detail. A 50-year-old wife and mother believed that a double of herself existed and this double had become the object of her husband's affections. The patient maintained that this could be proven by the fact that her husband had lost interest in sex with her. The woman said she had seen her double and that the imposter had stolen her fingerprints. As an inpatient, she was diagnosed with delusional depression. Treatment did not dispel her delusion of a double, but she was eventually discharged while continuing treatment with desipramine and fluphenazine. The group of 20 cases from the literature is discussed. The cases reveal that patients most often believe that there is a double of their physical self (who often looks almost identical to them), but some believe their personality (psychological self) has been replaced. In only three of the 20 cases was the delusion of impostors limited to the self; most cases also involved delusions that other people, places, and animals had been replaced. It is concluded that many delusions of misidentification involve the self, and that this syndrome may be underreported because therapists are not aware of the symptoms. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Psychological aspects, Case studies, Identity, Delusions, Self, Self (Psychology), Capgras syndrome

---

Hyperemesis gravidarum as conversion disorder

Article Abstract:

In Western culture, morning sickness (emesis gravidarum) is a frequent symptom of early pregnancy, occurring in 50 to 80 percent of all pregnant women. In a few women (three percent), vomiting becomes so severe that it causes metabolic imbalances and weight loss, resulting in a condition known as hyperemesis gravidarum (HG). A number of psychosocial factors have been associated with HG and morning sickness. Two case reports are presented of women with HG who fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for conversion disorder according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, third edition, revised. The essential feature of conversion disorder is a change in, or loss of, a physical function that appears to be due to a physical disorder, but is actually an expression of a psychological conflict or need. Although viewing HG as a conversion disorder is compatible with the traditional psychoanalytic view that pathological vomiting is a symbolic rejection of pregnancy, it is suggested that conversion is not the sole mechanism in HG. A wide range of physiological causes have been implicated by past research, including endocrine abnormalities and twin pregnancies. Long-term implications of the diagnosis of conversion in HG, and effects of psychiatric intervention during pregnancy need further assessment. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Causes of, Conversion (Psychoanalysis), Conversion disorder, Morning sickness (during pregnancy), Morning sickness

---

Compliance, reliability, and validity of self-monitoring for physical disturbances of Parkinson's disease: the Parkinson's Symptom Diary

Article Abstract:

Previous research in Parkinson's disease has demonstrated the value of self-monitoring procedures, in which patients observe and record their own behaviors and symptoms. This study presents and evaluates the Parkinson's Symptom Diary (PSD), a self-monitoring diary for recording the occurrence and severity of Parkinson's symptoms experienced by patients who are well enough to function outside of the hospital. The PSD is broken into two parts: the first records the times and frequency of loss of balance and movement hesitation (freezing); the second rates severity of tremor and difficulties with walking. Subjects were 84 ambulatory, competent patients with Parkinson's disease (60 men, 24 women). The stability of the their subjective ratings over time (test-retest reliability) was assessed using a subsample of 28 patients. Parkinson's symptoms were also rated by observers according to behavioral criteria in the Parkinson's Disease Impairment Scale (PDIS). Analysis of the data demonstrates that ''nondemented'' patients with Parkinson's disease can self-monitor and report their own symptoms with satisfactory reliability and validity. No great differences were found between patients' self-reports and observed ratings of patients' behaviors and symptoms. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Testing, Parkinsonism, Self-evaluation, Self evaluation

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Neuropsychological function in borderline personality disorder. Chance performance in the absence of norms for neuropsychological tests- a clinical note
• Abstracts: Reasoning and rehabilitation in Britain: the results of the Straight Thinking on Probation (STOP) Programme. Resocializing young offenders in the kibbutz
• Abstracts: Friendship group identification, multidimensional self-concept, and experience of developmental tasks in adolescence
• Abstracts: Psychometric considerations in self-monitoring assessment. Self-monitoring with panic and anxiety disorders
• Abstracts: Normalisation in an abnormal world: a study of prisoners with an intellectual disability. A neural network applied to criminal psychological profiling: an Italian initiative

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.