Capgras delusion is a sporadic mental disorder where persons affected experience the delusion that one or more comparable figures, such as family members and friends, have been replaced by exact duplicates or imposters: The condition is usually associated with paranoid schizophrenia, it is named after the French psychiatrist Joseph Capgras, and this disorder is also called Capgras syndrome.
Despite usually being associated with paranoid schizophrenia, researchers have recorded cases of Capgras delusion in otherwise healthy individuals. They experience the same symptoms as those with schizophrenia but without the accompanying hallucinations.
Capgras Delusion is also believed to be related to facial recognition deficits, which can occur due to neurological or physical damage to the temporal lobes.
Sufferers of Capgras Syndrome experience feelings of confusion and mistrust as the delusion convinces them that an imposter has replaced someone close to them.
In some cases, the delusional person will eventually come to realize that the person they were seeing as an imposter is, in fact, the same person, but the delusion persists.
Sometimes, the delusional person will attempt to avoid contact or interaction with the person they see as an imposter to protect against deception.
Capgras Syndrome often occurs alongside other psychiatric conditions, such as depression and anxiety.
It is also theorized that a traumatic event, such as a significant loss or divorce, can trigger Capgras's delusion.
Capgras delusion has been reported to have a hereditary component, with the siblings of people who suffer from the disorder having a higher chance of also suffering.
People who experience Capgras delusion typically describe it as a feeling of disconnection, a lack of understanding, or being 'lost.'
Treatment for Capgras Syndrome usually involves a combination of medication, counseling, and therapy.
