Psychological disorders are a pretty normal occurrence in this extremely occupied world where none of us seems to have the time to divert to our mental health however, there are some disorders that are so weird that you might not even believe in their existence.
Top 15 Weird Psychological Disorders You Should Know About
1. Corpse Syndrome
Walking Corpse Syndrome or Cotard delusion is a very rare mental disorder in which the victim believes that he/she is dead or do not exist. There are two main beliefs which are considered to be the origins or basis of this disorder. The first one being
The term Cotard Delusion was termed after the neurologist Jules Cotard. He described the disorder as very uncommon and based the conclusion that minor cases of this disorder occur due to self-loathing and extreme cases occur because of delusion and major cases of depression.
2. Todd’s Syndrome
Todd’s Syndrome, also known as Alice in Wonderland Syndrome is a disorienting neuropsychological condition that affects perception. This disorder causes people to have a distortion in the visual perception which causes objects to appear small than they are, larger than they are, further than they are or nearer than they actually are.
Todd’s Syndrome can be caused by an excessive amount of electricity as it causes disruption in blood flow which in turn affects the ability to perceive. Todd’s Syndrome is also associated with migraine and brain tumours.
At present, this syndrome has no standard treatment procedure.
3. Fregoli Delusion
Fregoli Delusion is an uncommon disorder in which the patient believes that different people are in fact only one person changing his/her disguise. The patient usually is highly paranoid and suspects that the person (the one who is believed to be changing disguises) is going to harm him/her. The patient can also have trouble remembering places or objects. A traumatic brain injury can result in such a disorder since it has the potential to damage the associative nodes. The treatment is done by pharmacotherapy.
4. Capgras Delusion
Capgras Delusion is a disorder in which the patient believes that a friend, spouse, family member or any other close person has been replaced by an imposter. The Capgras Delusion has been subcategorized under delusional misidentification syndrome. The origin of this disorder is rather complex and differs from patient to patient. There is no standard procedure developed for
5. Stendhal Syndrome
Stendhal syndrome is a psychosomatic disorder that causes rapid heartbeat, dizziness, fainting, confusion and even hallucinations when an individual has experience of great personal importance. Scientists are still in debate over if this disorder is the only reason which causes the aforementioned effects but several patients have been hospitalized when had similar experiences.
6. Autophagia
Autophagia is a disorder in which the patient eats his/her own part of body. This is because the patient has trouble controlling the impulsive desire to do so. The patient does this under or arousal and feel a sense of relief or gratification when committing the act. After the act has been committed, the patient may or may not feel regret or guilt. No standard treatment procedure is known and may differ from patient to patient.
7. Dissociative Identity Disorder
Dissociative Identity Disorder, most commonly known as Multiple Personality Disorder is a disorder in which the patient’s mind transitions between at least two different personalities. The behaviour of patients with this disorder is highly unlikely to be predicted as the patient switches between one identity into another.
In most of the cases, the main part has been determined to be childhood trauma. At times, genetic factors have also been determined to be the reason for the cause. Dissociative Identity Disorder often leads to controversial subjects between psychiatry and legal matters. Treatment for this disorder usually involves supportive care and counselling.
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8. Koro Syndrome
Koro Syndrome is a delusional disorder in which the patient has an overwhelming paranoid belief that his genitals are shrinking and will disappear. Thus, giving it another name shrinking penis.
Personality factors, sexual conflicts are some of the origins that eventually lead to Koro Syndrome. Anxiety plays a significant role in amplifying the fear and thus the intensity of the disorder to a much higher extent.
Patients with Koro syndrome are treated with psychotherapy where reassurance is provided and also sexual anatomy is explained to them in order to reduce their fears.
9. Erotomania
Erotomania is not a very uncommon disorder. The patient suffering from this disorder becomes delusional that another person is in love with them. It is usually seen in shy females who are usually sexually inexperienced. The object of this disorder is a male who is wealthy, with high social standards and is usually unattainable.
In several cases, it has been observed that some of the patients hold a deceased or a person they had never met to the other end of the spectrum.
Treatments for these disorders varies from patient to patient. Pharmacological treatments are recorded to work well with patients, but they have different reactions on different patients. Thus, tailored treatment is always preferred in such disorders.
10. Othello Syndrome
Othello Syndrome, also known as Pathological jealousy is a disorder in which the patient is always occupied with the thought that his/her spouse is being unfaithful to him/her without having any logical reason or proof to support the feeling. Many personalities based reasons such as being very insecure or having fear of losing his/her partner may evolve into Othello Syndrome.
Some psychological effects can also play a role in this disorder.
The risk of this disorder involves doing harm to others, doing harm to oneself and to the children if involved. Treatment of this syndrome is done by psychotherapy.
11. Boanthropy
Boanthropy is a disorder in which a human believes himself or herself to be bovine. The patient with this disorder attempts to act or behave
12. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is a disorder in which the patient is unable to control his/her thoughts and eventually lets the thoughts control his/her actions. This disorder includes symptoms such as wanting to have items straight or in a specific manner, constantly checking the gas or light switches and more. Psychotherapy is the preferred treatment along with medications. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder can range from mild to extreme cases.
13. Alien Hand Syndrome
Alien Hand Syndrome is a disorder in which the patient’s limbs seem as if they are acting independently of the patient’s entire body. The common cause for Alien Hand Syndrome is that the primary motor cortex controlling limbs movement is isolated from premotor cortex but it remains generally intact in its ability to execute movements of the hand.
The patient touches and moves his/her limbs without thought or without having any intention to.
At present, there is no known treatment for Alien Hand Syndrome. The best option is to keep the Alien Hand occupied with some other task, like holding an object of some kind.
14. Abulomania
Aboulomania is a mental disorder in which the patient is incapable of making a decision. It typically involves factors such as anxiety, stress, depression and more. Although, there are many people who have difficulty making decisions, the extent of this disorder is rare.
15. Hemispatial Neglect
Hemispatial neglect is the disorder in which the person is unable to pay attention to half of his/her surroundings. Brain damage is the primary cause
Treatment consists of finding ways to bring the patient’s attention toward the left, usually done incrementally. Treatment of this type of disorder is often carried out by neuropsychologists, therapists, speech-language pathologists and others.
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