WALKING CORPSE SYNDROME / COTARD'S SYNDROME

Edited by, SOWNDHARYA

People with cotard's syndrome which is also called walking corpse syndrome or Cotard's delusion, believe that parts of their body are missing, or that they are dying, dead, or don't exist. They may think nothing exists. Cotard's syndrome is very rare with about 200 known cases worldwide. Though the symptoms are extreme, most people get better with treatment.

SYMPTOMS:

People with this syndrome often become much less social. Sometimes, they may stop speaking at all. Some hear voices that tell them they're dead or dying. Others may refuse to eat, because, among other reasons, they see no point since they're "dead". Some may try to harm themselves.

CAUSES:

It's not clear what causes Cotard's syndrome. The syndrome is often a symptom of a deeper medical problem that affects the brain, such as:

Dementia

Encephalopathy

Epilepsy

Migraine

Multiple Sclerosis

Parkinson's Disease

Stroke

Bleeding that happens outside the brain because of a severe brain injury

Some experts think Cotard's syndrome results from two types of brain damage. The first changes the way people view themselves. The second makes them continue to believe this false view, even when they're shown it's not true.

WHO GETS IT?

Cotard's syndrome can happen at almost any age, though it strikes many people in their early 50s. Many people who have it also have a history of mental health problems, especially: 

Depression

Anxiety

Schizophrenia

Substance abuse

Most have some kind of brain damage that shows up on imaging tests. The harm may come from:

A stroke

A tumour

A blood clot

An injury

Additionally, Cotard's syndrome may cause bipolar disorder in teens and young adults

DIAGNOSIS:

It should be easy to spot. The problem is that it's a symptom of another condition, not a disease and it's not listed inthe DSM.

It's usually diagnosed after doctor's rule out other conditions that look like it. One such disorder is Capgras syndrome, when a person believes a friend or a family member has been replaced by an identical fake. It's also called "imposter syndrome".

TREATMENT:

The goal of the treatment is to treat the underlying cause for this syndrome as Cotard's syndrome often manifests as a symptom of an underlying neurological condition.

Most people do best with a combination of medication and a form of talk therapy, like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or psychotherapy. Both of these provide a safe place for people to talk about how they feel and help them find healthier ways to think and act. 

Medicines used to treat Cotard's syndrome include:

Antipsychotics

Antianxiety drugs

Antidepressants