Cotard's Syndrome, also called Ambulatory Corpse Syndrome or Delirium of Negation, is a rare psychological disorder in which the person believes that he 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 cases of prolonged depression.
Although this syndrome has no cure, treatment should be done to reduce psychological changes. In this way, the treatment must be individualized and indicated by the psychiatrist.
How to identify the symptoms
Some symptoms that help to identify this disorder are:
- To believe that one is dead;
- Show anxiety frequently;
- Have a feeling that the organs of the body are rotting;
- To feel that you can not die, because you are already dead;
- Being a very negative person;
- Have insensitivity to pain;
- Suffer constant hallucinations;
- Have a suicidal tendency.
In addition to these signs, those suffering from this syndrome may still smell the rotten flesh that leaves their body, due to the idea that their organs are rotting. In some cases, patients may also not recognize themselves in the mirror, nor can they identify family members or friends, for example.
How is the treatment done?
Treatment of Cotard Syndrome can be done with the use of antidepressant drugs, antipsychotics or mood stabilizers such as Diazepam, Fluoxetine or Chlorpromazine.
In severe cases of the disease, in combination with the use of medications, electroconvulsive therapy sessions can be used, which consists of applying electrical shocks to the brain to stimulate certain areas and more easily control the symptoms of the syndrome.
