Cotard’s syndrome: A review

Abstract

Cotard's syndrome is a rare disorder in which nihilistic delusions concerning one's own body are the central feature. It is not listed as a specific disorder in the DSM-IV, as it is typically viewed as a part of other underlying disorders. However, it remains important to recognize the syndrome because specific underlying mechanisms are present, and prognostic and therapeutic consequences have to be taken into account. This review presents an up-to-date overview of Cotard's syndrome, which was initially described more than a century ago.

Antipsychotic Drugs Rechallenge in Multi-antipsychotic Drug Induced Atypical Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome: A Case of Cotard’s Syndrome

“…There is insufficient data about the prevalence and incidence of the syndrome (14). CS is described as a cluster of symptoms as part of an underlying disorder, mostly depressive and bipolar (15)(16)(17)(18). Although our initial diagnosis was major depressive disorder with psychotic features, patients must be followed closely for bipolar disorder because of manic symptoms after treatment with escitalopram, and an increased risk of bipolar disorder during adolescence with CS (17).…”

Cotard Syndrome in Hypoactive Delirium – A Case Report

“…Furthermore, not surprisingly, being the central characteristic of CS, the most common nihilistic delusions concerned the body (86%) and existence (69%), followed by anxiety (65%) and guilt (63%), hypochondriacal delusions (58%) and delusions of immortality (55%) (Debruyne et al 2011). CS has been described in the context of other uncommon monothematic delusions as well.…”

“…Amongst them are Capgras syndrome, the delusion that (often related) others have been replaced by (near) identical others -e.g. after traumatic brain injury or in schizophrenia (Debruyne et al 2011) -or simultaneously with Koro, the genital retraction syndrome (Meagher et al 2013), and Fregoli delusion, the delusional misidentification of familiar people disguised as others (Wolff & McKenzie 1995). It is noteworthy, that despite a number of published case reports of CS, the nosological circumstance of delirium, and especially hypoactive delirium, is mentioned in practically none of them.…”

“…Cotard syndrome (CS) is a rare condition centered around nihilistic delusions, ranging from the denial of body parts to that of the existence of ones own life or even the entire universe (Debruyne et al 2011). Originally termed délire des négations by French neurologist Jules Cotard (1840-1889), CS has been primarily and predominantly described in the context of depression.…”

“…Originally termed délire des négations by French neurologist Jules Cotard (1840-1889), CS has been primarily and predominantly described in the context of depression. Subsequently, it was also associated with other psychiatric (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder) as well as somatic conditions (Debruyne et al 2011).…”