Shared psychosis is a disorder previously known as folie a deux. It is an unusual mental health disorder in which a healthy person takes the delusions and psychosis of someone who they have a close relationship with, according to WebMD.
For example, a person with a spouse who has schizophrenia or a psychotic disorder believes that aliens are spying them. A person suffering from shared psychosis would also start believing this delusion of spying aliens, although their thoughts and behavior still remain normal.
Also, they would have a hard time staying in touch with reality that they often cannot handle their daily lives. Like the first person who actually has psychosis, the one suffering from folie a deux would have an obvious symptom of hallucinations, such as hearing or seeing things that does not exist, and delusions, or the belief of something that are not true.
Shared psychosis is now under the category of delusions, according to MSD Manual. The patient which has the primary disorder is usually the dominant member in the relationship that imposes delusion on the patient with shared psychosis.
Types of Shared Psychosis
Below are the four types of psychosis according to NIH:
- Imposed Psychosis (Folie impose)- First described in 1877, this type of shared psychosis is when delusions were transferred from one person to another in an intimate relationship but the psychosis soon disappears once they are separated.
- Simultaneous Psychosis (Folie simultanee)- This happens when both partners simultaneously suffered the psychosis. The two persons are genetically predisposed to develop this condition.
- Communicated Psychosis (Folie communiquée) - This is similar to imposed psychosis, but the second patient is more resistant to the delusions. However, they finally give in after being separated with the first patient.
- Induced Psychosis (Folie induite)- The first patient adds new delusions to the second patient in this type of shared psychosis. Researchers said that those suffering induced psychosis are noticed to have an expansion of delusions.
Treatment for Shared Psychosis
According to NIH, treatment for shared psychosis should be tailored case by case. If a patient is left undertreated because the treatment plan for him is not tailored to their needs, they should be encouraged to strictly adhere to the treatment plan.
Additionally, some experts also said that if the second patient will be separated from the first p[patient, symptoms of shared psychosis might gradually disappear.
However, some data suggests that separation only from the first patient could be insufficient or could aggravate the condition. It is advisable to be treated with medication for both partners to improve their condition. Those undergoing medication could indicate that they have the severe type and more likely to express residual symptoms.
For cases such as this, a follow-up is important. Psychotherapy could also be offered to both the first and second patient either as individuals or through conjoined psychotherapy.
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