The hallucination of duplicates is another name for the psychological illness known as Capgras syndrome (CS). It is a syndrome of misidentification also referred to as “Capgras hallucination” or “imposter syndrome.”

The individual with the illusion could occasionally think that a house, an animal, or even another object is a fake. CS can affect anyone; however it tends to be more prevalent in those who were given the gender of a woman at birth. Rarely, children may also be impacted.

People who suffer from this syndrome could, for instance, claim that their spouse is an imposter. Both the individual having the hallucination and the one claiming to be the imposter may find this disturbing. If you or your spouse is facing such issues, seek Marriage Counselling from the best counselor at Talk to Angel.

The syndrome’s origins are the subject of numerous theories.

The condition might follow anatomical alterations in the brain like:

• Atrophy
• Lesions
• Dysfunction
• Injury

Damage to the brain or nervous system might result in CS. Another brain disorder, especially one that affects how the brain sees or processes information or stores and retrieves memories, could possibly be the cause.

It might take place in tandem with a mix of cognitive and physical changes.

Since CS is so uncommon, it has no single cause, and there is still much to discover about how it impacts the brain. Here are some possible CS factors to consider.

The hallucination that familiar persons have been replaced by identical doubles or imposters is the main symptom of CS.

Aggression against the individual thought to be the imposter is one of the signs. A small percentage of CS sufferers may turn violent, and studies have linked CS to homicide.

People with CS may also exhibit additional symptoms of the contributing disorder, such as a neurological disorder or schizophrenia, depending on the underlying reason.

A psychiatric assessment is the usual method through which a doctor diagnoses this syndrome. In order to rule out potential contributory factors like AD and dementia, they may also check your medical history, current medications, and run tests.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, does not contain the diagnostic criteria for CS because it is a rare disorder.

People assigned as feminine at birth experience CS more frequently than people born as male.

Additionally, having diseases like paranoid schizophrenia or neurodegenerative illnesses can increase your likelihood of getting CS.

There isn’t a recommended course of treatment for CS at the moment. More study is required on the syndrome. However, some treatments could be able to reduce symptoms.

The goal of treatment is to deal with the root issue. For instance, treating the schizophrenia with antipsychotic medication can improve the CS in a person with CS who has poor symptom control.

These remedies could consist of:

• Drugs that increase neurotransmitters, such as cholinesterase inhibitors
• For dementia and AD, and memory and judgments
• Schizophrenic patients can benefit from antipsychotics and counseling
• For brain lesions or head trauma, surgery or, if possible, rehabilitation is recommended.

Reality Orientation Therapy

A dementia patient who is receiving reality orientation therapy is continuously being guided toward the reality of their surroundings. This includes the occasion, setting, and persons present. This treatment may improve a person’s understanding of their environment and reduce anxiety.

Practitioners advise family members and caregivers to refrain from challenging or correcting clients who are receiving reality orientation treatment if they show delusions. In order to help the person maintain their emotional connection, they advise returning to the pleasant aspects of their environment.

Behavior Therapy

Mental health therapists may gently examine the incorrect ideas while pointing out the evidence in favor of and against them to help persons with CS overcome their delusions.

Additionally, cognitive behavioral therapy frequently employs the ABC model to assist people impacted in overcoming their illusions. It alters a person’s response to delusional thoughts and beliefs by confronting them.

Providing Care to someone who has Capgras Syndrome

Being a caregiver for someone with CS can be emotionally taxing, especially if they feel that you are an imposter. Here are some tactics to use in order to assist someone with CS:

• When you can, step into their reality. If you try to imagine how terrible it must be, it might help.
• Don’t try to correct them or engage in debate with them.
• Make them feel secure. Ask the person what they need or consult a healthcare professional if you’re not sure what to do.
• Recognize their emotions.
• If at all possible, ask the “imposter” to leave. Allow someone else to take charge until the episode is ended if you are the caregiver in this case.
• Rely on audio. If you are aware of someone’s propensity towards CS, you may ensure that the first way they notice you is through sound. When you can, say hello to them before you even see them.

People who have CS might believe that someone they know or recognize has been replaced by an imposter.

It can be brought on by structural abnormalities in the brain, brain injuries, or other disorders like schizophrenia.

In order to alleviate the symptoms of CS, the cause must be treated. The individual may also be assisted in overcoming the false belief by behavior therapy.

If you or your partner are facing any symptoms regarding the CS, feel free to seek Consultation from the Best Marriage Counselor near me at TalktoAngel.