Some individuals suffer from a rare neurological disorder known as Cotard's syndrome, where they cannot comprehend their existence and imagine themselves as dead. Often, those affected by the Cotard delusion believe they are walking corpses, while others think they are disembodied souls destined to live forever, according to the Science Alert website. Regardless of these differences, patients suffering from Cotard experience a severely distorted reality, denying the presence of their bodies and their daily needs.
In a study that focused on a middle-aged woman with a history of anxiety and psychosis who suffered from delusions, she refused to take medication and stopped eating, declaring, "I am dead." In another case involving a 49-year-old man, he ceased taking care of his physical health, refused to eat, and believed that evil forces were trying to kill him. After a week in the hospital, he told doctors he was already dead, stating that "his stomach no longer worked, his liver was decaying, his brain was paralyzed, and his face lacked blood," according to the report. He remained motionless in his bed and claimed he heard voices telling him he was the devil.
Currently, there are about a hundred similar cases worldwide. The first recorded case dates back to 1880, when French neurologist Jules Cotard described a new type of depression characterized by "anxious melancholia," insensitivity to pain, and delusions of non-existence in relation to one's body. Today, some scientists suspect that Cotard's syndrome may not be a distinct illness but rather a symptom of underlying issues related to conditions such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, depression, or a long history of drug use or seizures.
The good news is that these terrifying symptoms can be effectively treated, as antipsychotics, antidepressants, psychotherapy, and even electroconvulsive therapy are all proven treatments that can yield positive results. In the best cases, patients suffering from Cotard's syndrome can exit their distorted reality in less than two weeks of pharmacological treatment.
