What Is Walking Corpse Syndrome?
Walking Corpse Syndrome, also known as Cotard's syndrome, is a rare neuropsychiatric condition in which individuals believe they are dead, decaying, do not exist, or have lost their blood, body parts, or internal organs. Cotard's syndrome was first described by French psychiatrist Dr. Jules Cotard in 1880, and it currently affects less than 1% of the population.
Signs And Symptoms
Symptoms of Walking Corpse syndrome or Cotard's syndrome include:
Delusions one is dying, decaying, dead, or missing body parts.
Depression
Feelings of guilt
Anxiety
Withdrawal from social interaction
Insensitivity to pain
Auditory hallucinations
Self-harm or attempted self-harm
Refusal to eat (they see no use since they believe they are "dead")
Causes And Risk Factors
The exact cause of Cotard's syndrome is still unknown; however, it is associated with other conditions that affect mental health and the brain, such as:
Epilepsy
Bipolar disorder
Schizophrenia
Severe depression
Stroke
Parkinson's disease
Dementia
Encephalitis
Substance abuse
Adverse drug reaction
Cotard's syndrome can also develop after traumatic events or structural changes in the brain following a tumor or brain injury.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis typically involves a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation to gather information about the patient's mental health history and the patient's delusions, thoughts, and emotions. Physicians also work first to identify the underlying neurological or medical condition contributing to the symptoms, which varies from person to person. Medical professionals may also need brain imaging techniques such as MRI or CT scans to reveal abnormalities or damage. Laboratory tests may also be required to rule out infections, metabolic imbalances, physical conditions, or other syndromes that could mimic the symptoms of Cotard's syndrome.
Treatment
Treating Cotard's syndrome requires addressing the decisions and underlying conditions causing symptoms. Therefore, there is no single treatment for all cases. Instead, physicians use a multidisciplinary approach to treat Cotar'ds syndrome involving neurologists, psychiatrists, and other medical professionals. Treatment methods may involve:
Antipsychotic medications
Antidepressants or other medications
Psychotherapy
Rehydration
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
Hospitalization (if the patient's safety is at risk)
Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/health/cotard-delusion#causes-and-risk-factors Assessed and Endorsed by the MedReport Medical Review Board