Capgras syndrome is a rare disorder in which a person holds the delusional belief that an identical-looking imposter has replaced someone significant in their life. They believe the doppelganger looks and acts exactly like the original person but that they are an imposter nonetheless, and no amount of arguing or reasoning can convince them otherwise.
What Is Capgras Syndrome?
Individuals with Capgras syndrome believe that an imposter or an identical double is standing in for a loved one. This delusion can be extremely scary for the person suffering from it, as well as deeply painful for the person’s loved ones.
Capgras tends to affect people with mental illnesses or brain damage, such as schizophrenia, dementia , or traumatic brain injury . People with Capgras syndrome can harbor other delusional beliefs as well, including the misidentification of objects.
The term derives from the French psychiatrist Joseph Capgras, who first described the phenomenon in the 1920s.
Capgras is a rare condition. It falls into a class of disorders called delusional misidentification disorders, and it’s not currently listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders , Fifth Edition.
How to Treat and Cope With Capgras Syndrome
Treating Capgras syndrome involves identifying and targeting the underlying psychiatric or neurological problem. For example, this may involve taking an antipsychotic to treat schizophrenia, taking medication to treat dementia, or having surgery or beginning neurorehabilitation to address a traumatic brain injury.
People with Capgras syndrome can also benefit from therapy . Forms of therapy such as reality orientation therapy and behavior therapy can help these individuals manage their delusions and the emotions surrounding them, such as fear , anxiety , and confusion.
For loved ones, Capgras can be a painful condition to witness; it ruptures the relationship and operates outside of a shared reality. For those in the difficult position of caring for a loved one with Capgras syndrome, it can help to first understand their perspective. Recognize that the delusion isn’t intentional or malicious and the person likely feels scared and confused.
Second, it can help to develop some concrete strategies. Don’t try to convince the person that you aren’t an imposter, because that will not likely work and will instead escalate the situation. Listen to what they’re experiencing and ask if there’s anything that would make them feel safe. Take breaks and allow other people to step in. Trying to speak to the person over the phone can be worthwhile because in some cases, the delusion manifests through sight but not through sound.
Explore More About Capgras Syndrome
For a comprehensive understanding of capgras syndrome, read our complete guide: