Somatoparaphrenia

Somatoparaphrenia
Synonyms
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	Neurology, Psychiatry
Symptoms	Delusion that a limb or side of the body does not belong to oneself
Complications	N/A
Onset
Duration
Types
Causes	Brain damage, often involving the right hemisphere
Risks
Diagnosis	Clinical assessment, neuroimaging
Differential diagnosis	Anosognosia, Body integrity identity disorder
Prevention	N/A
Treatment	Cognitive therapy, pharmacotherapy
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	Varies, often chronic
Frequency	Rare
Deaths	N/A

Somatoparaphrenia is a type of monothematic delusion where one denies ownership of a limb or an entire side of one's body. Even if provided with undeniable proof that the limb belongs to and is connected to their body, the patient produces elaborate confabulations about whose it is or how it got there.

Causes

Somatoparaphrenia is most commonly observed after a stroke, affecting the right parietal lobe of the brain. This condition is also associated with other neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and migraines.

Symptoms

The primary symptom of somatoparaphrenia is the denial of ownership of a limb or an entire side of the body. The patient may also experience hallucinations, confabulation, and sometimes neglect of the affected limb.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of somatoparaphrenia is primarily based on the patient's symptoms and medical history. Neurological examinations and brain imaging techniques such as MRI and CT scan may also be used to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment for somatoparaphrenia primarily involves neuropsychological rehabilitation. This includes therapies such as mirror therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and physiotherapy. Medications may also be used to manage symptoms.

See also

• Cotard delusion
• Capgras delusion
• Fregoli delusion
• Body integrity dysphoria

References

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