Fregoli Delusion: A Rare Subtype of Delusional Misidentification Syndromes (DMSs)
Abstract
As a rare subtype of delusional misidentification syndromes (DMSs), Fregoli Delusion involves the belief that two or more individuals are actually the same person disguised as another. In this case report, a 23-year-old male presents with Fregoli Delusion, self-inflicted harm, and a history of being kidnapped and abused. While the patient had abstained from alcohol and drugs for two years, neuroimaging revealed non-specific developmental anomalies, adding to the complexity of the clinical situation. Diagnoses and treatments are complicated by the coexistence of psychotic symptoms, mood dysregulation, and complex delusional constructs. A combination of antipsychotic medication and cognitive behavioural therapy is more effective in
treating schizophrenic patients. It is important to closely monitor this patient due to their history of non-adherence to their treatment plan and drug abuse. As a result of this situation, trauma-focused care and personalized interventions are necessary, as well as additional research to enhance the treatment of Fregoli Delusions resulting from this situation.
[2] Ventriglio A, Bhugra D, De Berardis D, Torales J, CastaldelliMaia JM, Fiorillo A. Capgras and Fregoli syndromes: delusion and misidentification. Int Rev Psychiatry. 2020;32(5-6):391-5. https://doi.org/10.1080/09540261.2020.1756625
[3] Baldaçara L, Ramos A, Castaldelli-Maia JM. Managing druginduced psychosis. Int Rev Psychiatry. 2023;35(5-6):496-502. https://doi.org/10.1080/09540261.2023.2261544
[4] Bell V, Marshall C, Kanji Z, Wilkinson S, Halligan P, Deeley Q. Uncovering Capgras delusion using a large-scale medical records database. BJPsych Open. 2017;3(4):179-85. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjpo.bp.117.005041
[5] Migoya-Borja M, Palomar-Ciria N, Cegla-Schvartzman F, Ovejero S, Baca-García E. Coexistence of different delusional
misidentification syndromes in clinical practice: a case series. Rev Colomb Psiquiatr (Engl Ed). 2023;52(3):201-5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rcpeng.2021.05.007
Files | ||
Issue | Vol 9 No 4 (2024): July-August | |
Section | Case Report(s) | |
DOI | https://doi.org/10.18502/crcp.v9i4.17985 | |
Keywords | ||
Fregoli syndrome Misidentification delusions Person identity processing Person perception |
Rights and permissions | |
![]() |
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. |