Capgras Syndrome with Non-Violent Behaviour Presenting in Postpartum Period: Case Study with Literature Review

Abstract

Background: Capgras syndrome (CS) is one of the delusional misidentification syndromes (DMS) characterized by the belief by the patient that the close person, usually a close relative or family member is replaced by an imposter who looks physically the same. Since the first case of Capgras syndrome was described in 1923, the published literature is confined to a small number of case reports and a single case series. Capgras syndrome rarely occurs in postpartum period; there are few references in the literature to any of the delusions of misidentification occurring in a post partum period. Moreover, some authors described Capgras syndrome as frequently involving hostility, violence and risk of neglect towards an object of delusional misidentification. Their reports based on single cases report or small case series that may be subject to significant reporting bias. This case outlined here on a female patient affected by Capgras syndrome in post partum period with brief review of the literature. Case presentation: A 32-year-old woman presented to the psychiatric clinic for a delusional belief that newborn had been replaced by another one. Capgras delusion was developed after caesarean section on her 12th postpartum day. The patient was healthy individual whose Capgras syndrome was not linked to any psychiatric or neurological states in the past. Anxiety and depressive symptoms followed progressively without postpartum psychosis. Though she has a fixed belief, which is that her baby was replaced by another one, she did not show any psychotic features or aggression behaviour. Conclusion: In this case report, Capgras syndrome is typically a monothematic delusion (delusion about the baby may have an altered identity or replaced by another one) and is not accompanied by other delusions. Also, it displays the course of anxiety and depression in the period of postpartum period that accompanied with Capgras syndrome. The patient has no postpartum psychosis, only a delusion about the baby replaced by another one. Though her ambivalent emotions toward the baby, the patient did not show any hostility, aggression behaviour or violence and denied thoughts of harming baby.