Folie a deux – A case report

Abstract

Introduction: Induced delusional disorder is characterized by the transfer of delusions from one person to another. Both persons are closely associated for a long time and typically live together in relative social isolation. A 30-year-old female was brought to the outpatient department by her daughter with history of suspiciousness that her father is trying to harm her and her mother by poisoning them. She was also explaining that her mother has disturbed sleep pattern, and irritability for the past 6 years and with increased severity for the past 2 years. Her past history regarding psychiatry, other medical conditions and psycho-active substance abuse were unremarkable. Her mother had symptoms of suspiciousness that her husband is trying to harm her for the last 18 years, talking high of self that she is goddess Laxmi for the past 10 years, irritability, fearful behavior that she might be killed by poisoning for the last 6 years. Before 6 years, the patient used to go to school and later to college and was not having any symptoms. Induced delusional disorder is a chronic and rare disorder and long term treatment may be required. Atypical antipsychotic olanzapine augmented with electroconvulsive therapy along with psychotherapy are shown to be effective.