Capgras Syndrome with Pregnant Woman: A Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Background: Capgras syndrome is one of the delusional misidentification syndromes characterized by the delusional belief by the patient that the close person is replaced by an imposter who looks physically the same. Capgras syndrome was initially considered a purely psychotic disorder, but recently, Capgras syndrome understands as a neurological disorder, in which the delusion primarily results from organic brain lesions or degeneration. The case report aims to review previous literature on topic and present a case of pregnant woman experiencing Capgras delusion under full consciousness and whose expediencies are not linked to any psychiatric or neurological illness. Case presentation: A 29 year old, pregnant woman was brought for psychiatric consultation by her family with chief complaints of belief that her husband had been replaced by identical impostor, associated with irritability, anger and hostility since 4 months and aggravated in the last month. This pregnant woman showing absence of emotional response, no familiarity toward her husband and delusion that her husband replaced by imposter. Conclusion: Capgras syndrome is not necessarily pathological and can occur in a healthy population. Capgras syndrome may happen spontaneously under full consciousness in the healthy subjects; like in neurological and psychiatric patients. In this case report the phenomenological aspects of Capgras syndrome may similar in the content of the delusion to other studies were carried out with psychiatric or neurological patients, but no evidence of depersonalization, physical violence or aggression.