Induced Delusional Disorder: A Case Report

Abstract

Induced Delusional Disorder or Shared Psychosis is a rare psychotic syndrome which involves transference of a delusional belief and or abnormal behaviour from one individual to another or others who has/ have been in close association with the primary affected person. This is a case study of a married couple with five children who had been living on a ten hector plot on a settlement scheme in a district of the Northern Province of Zambia. The wife strongly believed herself to be a prophetess and prophesied that the world would soon come to an end. Over several months she influenced her husband into this belief and together including children started praying and fasting on the isolated farming plot to an extent that children were not allowed to attend school and either couple was not seen at a local market or at the grinding mill. The last born son of about one and half years apparently had developed a fever during this period of isolation. The child was not taken to the health center in the belief that the "Spirit" they had would heal him. The child died five days after the onset of the fever. The death was not reported to authorities in the belief that the body would be resurrected. Relatives and neighbours found the body in a decomposed state two weeks later after forcing their way into the house in which the couple had barricaded itself with the children. Both husband and wife were charged with Murder in a High Court contrary to Section 200 of the Penal Code Chapter 87 the Laws of Zambia. Both husband and wife were admitted at a Forensic Facility for Medical Examinations in terms of Section 17 of the Criminal Procedure Code Chapter 88 of the Laws of Zambia. To the best of our knowledge this is the first documented case of Induced Delusional Disorder from Zambia.

Understanding psychosis: diagnosis and clinical presentation (updates for clinicians)

“…Induced psychosis occurs when a delusional system develops in a patient as a result of a close relationship with another person who has previously been found to have a similar delusional system [2][3]. This disorder used to be called "paranoid disorder shared with another person" or "folie a deux".…”

“…A person may have experiences that confuse and frighten not only themselves, but also those around them. Symptoms of psychosis vary, but two common symptoms are hallucinations and delusions [1][2][3]. The hallucinated person will hear, feel, see, smell, or taste something that is not actually happening.…”

Health-seeking behaviors and associated factors in individuals with substance use disorders at Chainama Hills College Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia

“…The issue of great concern, however, is the effects of substances on developing young people, especially in their childhood and adolescent years. Childhood and adolescent years are important formative years of life during which, the child acquires academic, cognitive, social, and life skills [8]- [12]. Any substance abuse at this age is likely to interfere with normal development and may have a grave impact on the future life not only of the child but also on the family and society as a whole [13].…”

“…Alcohol and substance use contributes significantly to most psychiatric, neurological, and medical conditions presenting in the mental, surgical, and medical emergency and critical care units and potentially can impair its outcome [25]- [31]. Taking part in treatment generally results in positive outcomes.…”

Understanding psychosis: treatment and rehabilitation (updates for clinicians)

“…The nature of symptoms in the prodromal period of FEP remains unclear. Different causes, including combination of a person's genetics and life experiences, stressful events, substance use or even physical health conditions (seizure disorders, cognitive impairments, Parkinson's disease and damage to the brain from interruption of its blood supply) can cause psychosis [4][5][6][7][8][9]. Many people recover from the FEP and never experience another psychotic episode.…”