Reduplicative paramnesia

Reduplicative Paramnesia

Reduplicative paramnesia (/rɛdjuːplɪkətɪv pɑːræmˈniːziə/) is a rare neuropsychological disorder characterized by the delusional belief that a place or location has been duplicated, existing in two or more places simultaneously.

Etymology

The term "reduplicative paramnesia" was first used in 1903 by neurologist Arnold Pick, and it originates from the Latin words 're' meaning 'again', 'duplicare' meaning 'to double', and the Greek word 'paramnesia' meaning 'beyond memory'.

Symptoms

Patients with reduplicative paramnesia are convinced that a familiar person, place, object, or body part has been duplicated. For example, they may believe that their house exists in two different locations. This delusion is often associated with brain injury, dementia, or other neurological conditions.

Causes

Reduplicative paramnesia is often associated with damage to the right cerebral hemisphere, particularly the frontal and temporal lobes. It has also been linked to various conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, brain tumor, brain trauma, and cerebrovascular accident.

Treatment

Treatment for reduplicative paramnesia is usually focused on addressing the underlying cause. This may involve medication, surgery, or therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or occupational therapy.

Related Terms

Capgras delusion: A disorder in which a person holds a delusion that a friend, spouse, parent, or other close family member has been replaced by an identical impostor.
Cotard delusion: A rare mental illness in which the affected person holds the delusional belief that they are already dead, do not exist, are putrefying, or have lost their blood or internal organs.
Fregoli delusion: A rare disorder in which a person holds a delusional belief that different people are in fact a single person who changes appearance or is in disguise.