Fregoli Syndrome is a psychological disorder that leads the individual to believe that the people around him are able to disguise himself, changing his appearance, clothes or gender, to pass himself off as other people. For example, a patient with Fregoli Syndrome may believe that his doctor is actually one of his masked relatives who are trying to chase him.
The most frequent causes of this syndrome are psychiatric problems, such as schizophrenia, neurological diseases, such as alzheimer's, or brain injuries caused by blows, for example.
In some cases, Fregoli syndrome can be confused with Capgras syndrome, due to the similarity of symptoms.
Symptoms of Fregoli Syndrome
The main symptom of Fregoli Syndrome is the fact that the patient believes in the change in appearance of the individuals around him. However, other symptoms can be:
- Hallucinations and delusions; Decreased visual memory; Inability to control behavior; Episodes of epilepsy or seizures
In the presence of these symptoms, family members should take the individual to a consultation with the psychologist or psychiatrist, so that the doctor can indicate the appropriate treatment.
The diagnosis of Fregoli Syndrome is usually made by a psychologist or psychiatrist after observing the patient's behavior and reports from family and friends.
Treatment for Fregoli Syndrome
Treatment for Fregoli Syndrome can be done at home with a combination of oral antipsychotic remedies, such as Thioridazine or Tiapride, and antidepressant remedies, such as Fluoxetine or Venlafaxine, for example.
In addition, in the case of patients with seizures, the psychiatrist may also prescribe the use of antiepileptic remedies, such as Gabapentin or Carbamazepine.
