Cotard syndrome, also known as walking corpse syndrome or denial delirium syndrome, is a rare psychological disorder in which a person believes he or she is dead or that his organs are rotting.
The causes of Cotard syndrome are associated with changes in certain areas of the brain related to personality, brain atrophy, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, migraine or prolonged depression.
- Although this syndrome is not cured.
- Treatment should be performed to decrease psychological changes.
- So treatment should be individualized and indicated by the psychiatrist.
Symptoms that help identify this disorder include
In addition to these signs, those with this syndrome may still feel rotten flesh coming out of their body, because of the idea of their organs rotting; in some cases, patients may also not recognize themselves in the mirror, or identify their relatives. or friends, for example.
Treatment of Cotard syndrome may be done with antidepressants, antipsychotics or mood stabilizers such as diazepam, fluoxetine or chlorpromazine.
In the most severe cases of the disease, electroconvulsive therapy sessions may be used, in combination with the use of medications, which involve applying electric shocks to the brain to stimulate certain areas and more easily control symptoms of the syndrome.