CAPGRAS SYNDROME

                                                              CAPGRAS SYNDROME 

We often do impersonate people, don’t we? But I am accused of impersonating my own self. Quite confusing? Let me simplify this to you. My husband is suffering from a condition known as Capgras Syndrome. It is a rare disorder wherein the patient feels that someone they know has been impersonated by some other person. It is a delusional misidentification syndrome.  

Few months ago, my husband started behaving unusual. He was suffering from dementia for quite a while now. But lately, his behavior's was not normal. He would get aggressive frequently. Once his father had come over to meet us. My husband was not letting him in. he was trying to convince me that the person is not his father but an imposter of him trying to get into our house to loot everything.  

Another such incident was when I had went out to get grocery and when I came home I saw our dog tied up to a tree far away from the house. I untied it and returned home when my husband shouted at me and asked me to leave the dog outside. He was repeatedly saying that the dog is not an actual dog but a person trying to destroy our house. I tried reasoning him, explaining that what he is saying is not practical and it is just his mind playing tricks with him. But he would get more aggressive, his palpitations increased drastically and he went to the room in anger.  

I realized this was more than dementia and took him to a psychologist. He was then diagnosed with Capgras Syndrome. His dementia was the main cause of this condition. He was kept on medications and under the Reality Orientation Therapy. He was constantly exposed to the actual reality and the environment around him. The doctor also advised me not to argue with him or try to correct him if he behaves similarly in future, rather I should shift his focus on more positive things in the environment. 

I am practicing this for a few months now and I have seen changes in him. Though not eradicated completely, but these delusions have now reduced. He does not get anxious much. He still at times calls me an imposter of his wife and such episodes do occur but he does not get aggressive and a rational reasoning few moments after the incident, convinces him and cools him down. 

All of this was quite exhausting for the both of us but I tried remain calm. I knew he was going through a lot and I did not burden him with my frustration. This was a wholesome experience.  

Manpravah Hypnoclinic 

Clinical psychologist & Hypnotherapist 

𝐌𝐨𝐛 – 𝟎𝟗𝟖𝟏𝟗𝟔𝟑𝟗𝟒𝟒𝟒 / 𝟎𝟗137350434 

Web – Dr Sukumar Munje: Best Hypnotherapist 

Clinics @Prabhadevi (W)/ Parel (W), Borivali, Vashi, New Panvel