Cotard_Syndrome_Flashcards
What is Cotard syndrome?
Cotard syndrome is a rare mental disorder.
What do patients with Cotard syndrome believe?
Patients with Cotard syndrome believe that they (or in some cases just a part of their body) are either dead or non-existent.
Why is Cotard syndrome difficult to treat?
The delusion in Cotard syndrome is often difficult to treat.
What significant problems can arise from Cotard syndrome?
Significant problems from Cotard syndrome can include patients stopping eating or drinking as they deem it not necessary.
With what other conditions is Cotard syndrome associated?
Cotard syndrome is associated with severe depression and psychotic disorders.
A 72-year-old man with a background of schizoaffective disorder is reviewed by a psychiatrist in the community after family members reported worsening affective symptoms. The patient’s daughter reports that he has stopped eating entirely and has made strange comments about death.
On examination, the patient speaks with a quiet voice and does not make eye contact.
When directly questioned on the change in eating pattern, the patient says: ‘Why would I need to eat? I am already dead. Corpses have no need for food’.
What psychiatric phenomenon is most consistent with this patient’s presentation?
Capgras syndrome
Charles Bonnet Syndrome
Cotard syndrome
Erotomania
Othello syndrome
Cotard syndrome is characterised by a person believing they are dead or non-existent
Important for meLess important
Cotard syndrome is the correct answer. Cotard syndrome, also known as Cotard’s delusion, is an eponymous psychiatric phenomenon in which patients believe that they are dead or decaying. Named after the neurologist Jules Cotard, Cotard syndrome is most often seen in patients with schizophrenia or severe depression, though may also rarely be seen in patients with organic neuropathology affecting the frontal lobe.
Capgras syndrome is incorrect. Capgras syndrome is a neuropsychiatric phenomenon in which patients believe that a partner/family member/friend has been replaced by an imposter.
Charles Bonnet Syndrome is incorrect. Charles Bonnet syndrome is a phenomenon in which patients with severe visual impairment report vivid hallucinations. Charles Bonnet syndrome is a complex neuropsychiatric/ophthalmological phenomenon and is commonly misdiagnosed as a primary psychosis.
Erotomania is incorrect. Erotomania is a delusional disorder characterised by the mistaken perception that another person is infatuated with them. Affected patients often exhibit ‘stalking’ behaviour, and targets are classically socially unattainable, such as celebrities.
Othello syndrome is incorrect. Othello syndrome, also known as delusional jealousy, is a delusional disorder with male preponderance in which patients hold a firmly held belief that their partner is unfaithful, in the absence of proof.
summarise cotard syndrome
Cotard syndrome
Cotard syndrome is a rare mental disorder where the affected patient believes that they (or in some cases just a part of their body) is either dead or non-existent. This delusion is often difficult to treat and can result in significant problems due to patients stopping eating or drinking as they deem it not necessary.
Cotard syndrome is associated with severe depression and psychotic disorders.
