The (Real) Delusion That You're a Corpse
Caitlin Doughty・9 minutes read
Cotard's delusion is a rare mental condition first reported by Jules Cotard, with symptoms like believing one's organs are rotting or missing, and feeling nonexistent. Treatment involves medications and therapy, but a cure is still elusive, with events like The Mortals Market supporting death positive artists and artisans.
Insights
- Cotard's syndrome, named after neurologist Jules Cotard, is a rare mental condition characterized by beliefs such as organ decay, lack of need for basic necessities, and feelings of non-existence, often associated with depression, psychosis, and schizophrenia.
- Individuals like Esmé Weijun Wang and Graham Harrison have experienced Cotard's syndrome, showcasing its impact on mental health and brain function, with treatments involving antidepressants, antipsychotics, and electroconvulsive therapy, highlighting the ongoing search for a definitive cure.
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Summary
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Understanding Cotard's Syndrome and its Consequences
- Cotard's delusion is a rare mental condition with real consequences, often linked to other mental illnesses like depression, psychosis, and schizophrenia.
- Symptoms of Cotard's syndrome include believing that one's organs are rotting or missing, not needing to eat or sleep, and feeling that one's limbs or existence are nonexistent.
- The syndrome was first reported in the 1880s by neurologist Jules Cotard, based on a case of a woman who believed she had ceased to exist.
- Cotard's syndrome has been documented throughout history, with cases in the 20th and 21st centuries, including individuals like Jerry, Esmé Weijun Wang, and Graham Harrison.
- Esmé Weijun Wang experienced Cotard's syndrome after fainting on a flight, initially feeling positive about being dead but later descending into depression and anxiety.
- Graham Harrison believed his brain was dead after a suicide attempt, leading to a sense of meaninglessness in his life and unique brain scan results resembling someone in a vegetative state.
- Cotard's syndrome is associated with the amygdala and Fusiform gyrus in the brain, impacting facial recognition and emotional attachment, and is linked to Capgras syndrome.
- Treatment for Cotard's includes antidepressants, antipsychotics, and electroconvulsive therapy, but a definitive cure is yet to be found.
- The Order of the Good Death is hosting a virtual event called The Mortals Market to support death positive artists and artisans, with proceeds going to participating artists and Self Help Graphics.
