Capgras composite, the deceit that identical-appearing impostors have replaced comrade kinfolk, is an unusual physical process usually seen in schizophrenia or dementia. We recently cared for a 78 year old man who seemed to develop Capgras symptom as an adverse bodily function to diazepam. An iatrogenic venture should be considered in the computation diagnosis of any new deceit, including Capgras complex.Case Informing
A 78-year-old man with a long yesteryear of generalized psychological condition status had been treated with diazepam for at least 30 year and had done well. During the 6 months before valuation, he developed a fixed misconception that his sister-in-law had disguised herself as his wife and had replaced her at home. His mental state symptoms remained at standard and cognitive subroutine was unimpaired on detailed investigation. This escalated to his trying to remove his wife from the home, and he was hospitalized for normalization. There were no hallucinations or any other delusions; remarkably, he readily recognized his wife's tune on the telephony early in the period of time but continued to misidentify her during visits.
His medical humanistic discipline was significant for senile macular degeneracy, a remote liberal arts of laryngeal carcinoma with no indication of recurrence, essential hypertension, well-controlled hypothyroidism, and benign prostatic hypertrophy. Medications included diazepam 5 mg bid, paroxetine 40 mg/d, levothyroxine, rabeprazole, ranitidine, and finasteride. There was no record of inebriant use. Cranial MRI scan was unremarkable.
During the medical care, diazepam was tapered and discontinued and risperidone 0.5 mg qid was started. Within 10 days, the Capgras deceit had completely resolved and he readily recognized his wife during visits. Unfortunately, risperidone has been quite effective for his mental condition and he has adamantly refused discontinuation. Nevertheless, there have been no further delusions or any grounds of dementia at 18-month follow-up.