by : Juliet Cohen

Shared psychotic disorder has also been referred to by other names such as psychosis of association, contagious insanity, infectious insanity, double insanity, and communicated insanity. This disorder usually occurs only in long-term relationships in which one person is dominant and the other is passive. In most cases, the person in whom the delusions are induced is dependent on or submissive to the person with the psychotic disorder. The people involved often are reclusive or otherwise isolated from society and have close emotional links with each other. The disorder also can occur in groups of individuals who are closely involved with a person who has a psychotic disorder. The disturbance is not better accounted for by another Psychotic Disorder (e.g., Schizophrenia) or a Mood Disorder With Psychotic Features and is not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication) or a general medical condition. The dominating primary case is most commonly represented by persons with schizophrenia, delusions, or mood disorders. In Western countries, both the original delusions in the dominant person and the induced delusions in the submissive person are usually chronic and either persecutory or grandiose in nature. In Japan, acute psychotic reactions have been noted to be delusions of a religious nature.

Causes of Shared Psychotic Disorder

Common Causes and Risk factors of Shared Psychotic Disorder

Social Isolation.

Stress.

Signs and Symptoms of Shared Psychotic Disorder

Sign and Symptoms of Shared Psychotic Disorder

Delusions.

Hallucinations.

Disorganized speech.

Grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior.

Treatment of Shared Psychotic Disorder

Common Treatment of Shared Psychotic Disorder

Atypical newer neuroleptics are the accepted mode of treatment for the spectrum of these disorders.

Newer-generation anticonvulsants are also highly effective for shared psychotic disorder.

Olanzapine/fluoxetine (Symbyax), aripiprazole (Abilify), and quetiapine (Seroquel) are extremely effective in these cases.

Antipsychotic medications also useful for Shared Psychotic Disorder

psychotherapy treating Shared Psychotic Disorder

Family therapy should also be considered to re-establish the nuclear family and to provide social support to modify old family dynamics.

Do not use illegal drugs or drink alcohol, especially when you are taking medicine for this condition.