Shared Psychotic Disorder was also known as folie a deux and is a chronic psychiatric disorder belonging to the category of delusional disorders in which two or more individuals, usually belonging to the same family develop relentless and interconnected delusional ideas.

How does Shared Psychotic Disorder develop?

The diagnosis of Shared Psychotic Disorder is often difficult to make as the truthfulness and falseness of ideas cannot be determined abruptly as some ideas that are obviously false or pragmatically uncomfortable are often held with certainty and genuineness by a number of people.

Often the disorder revolves around paranoid thinking in which the individuals create a defense projection wherein they put the blame for their own negativities, failures and undesirable traits on others. These individuals develop certain ideas that they are being threatened or conspired against by others or that their spouse is cheating on to them. Over a period of time these ideas change into solid beliefs and are marked by negative thinking on part of these individuals.

Characteristics of Shared Psychotic disorder:

These individuals often feel left out of important discussions or being taken advantage of. They feel that they are superior to other individuals and exhibit an inflated ego. Usually, the delusional theme shared by two or more individuals focuses on one main topic. Ideas that are persecutory in nature are predominant among these individuals who might conjure beliefs that they are being conspired against or that they have enemies who are trying to harm them or even kill them.

In other cases, where themes of grandeur are predominant, the individuals might feel that they need to bring about a social reform, start a religious or political movement or invent something. These individuals may impose their thoughts and beliefs on others with a view to bring about a radical reform or start a religious cult. They might tell others that they have been chosen as channels by God to save the world from sin and may spend a great deal of time in preaching.

Individuals with this disorder appear to be absolutely normal in conversational skills, emotionally and behaviorally. They are often very dynamic and their paranoid beliefs can be quite infectious.

Treatment:

There is no sure shot cure for this disorder. If you suspect a friend or relative has symptoms of any of these disorders, you must consult a professional mental health care expert such as a psychiatrist, psychologist or clinical social worker. A combination of medications and psychotherapy may be used to treat these disorders. Medication is usually provided to treat the associated symptoms such as depression and anxiety.