Case Report on Paranoid Schizophrenia with Capgras Syndrome

Abstract

Paranoid is the most common delusion in people living with schizophrenia spectrum disorders which are present in about half of all people seeking treatment for a psychotic disorder. Schizophrenia is a persistent mental illness characterized by a wide range of symptoms, including delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech or behavior, and cognitive impairment. Capgras syndrome is a form of the delusional belief in which a person has been replaced by an imposter. It can be seen in mental disorders as well as in central nervous system diseases in the form of neurodegenerative and non- neurodegenerative diseases The Capgras Syndrome is not an unusual condition, but an infrequent one which is possibly often unnoticed. A 48- years- old woman was admitted in female psychiatric ward with known case of paranoid schizophrenia with capgras syndrome. In the present case, the treatment approach was mainly somatic therapy i.e. psychopharmacotherapy, Electro convulsive Therapy (ECT) and psychological therapy. Psychiatric nurses have to play an important role to identify the symptoms and they should think critically, take action immediately to provide care to such type of patients.