Cotard's Syndrome is a rare psychological disorder that causes individuals to believe themselves to be dead, decaying, or possibly paralyzed. It was formally identified by French neurologist Jules Cotard in 1880.
There are 4 classifications/variants of Cotard's Syndrome: Psychotic Depression, Cotard Type I, Cotard Type II, and Delusional Paralysis. Each of the classifications have distinct symptoms and defining factors, but there are some symptoms that are persistent throughout each variant such as delusions and/or hallucinations.
There are 4 classifications/variants of Cotard's Syndrome: Psychotic Depression, Cotard Type I, Cotard Type II, and Delusional Paralysis. Each of the classifications have distinct symptoms and defining factors, but there are some symptoms that are persistent throughout each variant such as delusions and/or hallucinations.
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Psychotic Depression
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Cotard Type I
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Cotard Type II
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Delusional Paralysis
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The main symptoms of Psychotic Depression are delusions and/or hallucinations, paranoia, and social impairment. Individuals with this variant of Cotard's Syndrome fear they are dying or rotting and may have visual and/or olfactory hallucinations, seeing and/or smelling themselves rotting. They may also believe their thoughts to not be their own or that others can hear their thoughts. Patients with Psychotic Depression experience extreme melancholia, psychosis or a disconnection from reality and extreme hallucinations and are likely to self-mutilate, attempt to, or successfully, commit suicide, and fail to take care of themselves.
Cotard Type I is considered to be the "pure" for of Cotard's Syndrome as it does not exist with other mental illnesses and is strictly characterized by extreme delusions. It is the least occurring variant and is characterized by delusions that alter the perceptions of individuals making them believe they are immortal or dead. Contrary to Psychotic Depression and Cotard Type II Individuals with Cotard Type I are less likely to self-mutilate and attempt suicide.
Cotard Type II is similar to Psychotic Depression and is characterized by anxiety, depression, and auditory hallucinations. Individuals with this variant of Cotard's Syndrome are more likely to attempt suicide and self-mutilate.
Delusion Paralysis is characterized by delusions of being paralyzed, loghorrea or excessive wordiness, and mourning and depressive moods. Individuals with this variant of Cotard's Syndrome believe their entire bodies are paralyzed or specific parts of their body are paralyzed regardless of what professionals tells them.
Symptoms may also depend on what stage of Cotard's Syndrome the individual is experiencing:
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Germination Stage
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Blooming Stage
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Chronic Stage
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In the germination stage individuals express a depressive mood, extreme worry of being ill, and an excessive fear of their illness despite medical treatment.
During the blooming stage individuals show characteristics of Cotard's Syndrome as they experience delusions and/or hallucinations of being dead or immortal.
During the chronic stage individuals experience severe depression due to paranoia and emotional disturbances.