Worldwide, about 450 million individuals
have some sort of mental illness. Whereas such illnesses as anxiety disorder,
depression, and eating disorders are widely known and seen more commonly in the
population, there are a plethora of rare psychiatric illnesses that physicians
may encounter.
Although these disorders are seldom seen, it is
important that physicians remain aware of them to ensure proper diagnosis and
treatment for patients with these illnesses. These rare psychiatric syndromes
range from reactions to overwhelming situations, delusions as a result of
traumatic brain injury, and specific manifestations due to the presence of
other psychiatric syndromes.
Alice in Wonderland Syndrome
Also known as Todd syndrome, Alice in
Wonderland syndrome (AIWS) is a neurologic condition “in which a patient’s
sense of body image, space, and/or time [is] distorted,” according to
Medscape. Those experiencing AIWS may have hallucinations, sensory
distortion and an altered sense of velocity. AIWS results from change in
perception. Though there are many symptoms, the most prevalent one is altered
body image: Patients are confused about the size and shape of parts of
their bodies. These symptoms can trigger panic and fear responses.
Aboulomania
People with aboulomania report being paralyzed with
indecision over every minor decision they have to make. Normal daily
activities such as going for a walk, getting some work done become impossibly
difficult to prioritize. What’s interesting about aboulomania is that the
affected person is otherwise completely normal. People with the condition
just can’t stop obsessively working up elaborate arguments in favor of
deciding the flavor of their next drink or pizza topping.
Stendhal Syndrome
Those with Stendhal syndrome experience physical
and emotional anxiety as well as panic attacks, dissociative experiences,
confusion and hallucinations when exposed to art. These symptoms are
usually triggered by “art that is perceived as particularly beautiful or when
the individual is exposed to large quantities of art that are concentrated in a
single place,” such as a museum or gallery. This syndrome is named after a
19th-century French author who experienced the symptoms during a trip to
Florence in 1817. Stendhal syndrome may also be called hyperculturemia
or Florence syndrome.
Celebriphilia
This is a pathological desire to have sex with
someone famous. It is more than admiration or interest in being famous.
This disorder is characterized by feeling an incredibly intense romantic or
sexual desire for a celebrity.
Capgras Syndrome
This syndrome is named for Joseph Capgras, a French
psychiatrist who explored the illusion of doubles. Those with Capgras
syndrome hold the delusional belief that someone in their life, usually a
spouse, close friend or family member, has been replaced by an impostor. It
can occur in patients with schizophrenia, dementia, epilepsy and after
traumatic brain injury. Treatment approaches mirror those utilized for the
underlying disorders and often include antipsychotic medications.
DISCLAIMER: All the information
being provided her has been sourced from the internet and books and some also
via personal experiences. It has no medical authentication per se so
suggestions if followed must be done in consultation with a trained mental
health professional.
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