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Indian Journal of Surgical Nursing 15(1):p 21-26, Jan-April 2026. | DOI: 10.21088/ijsn.2277.467X.15126.6
Review Article
Capgras Syndrome
Harshita Sahu, Jaivin Jaisingh J.
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Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.
Indian Journal of Surgical Nursing 15(1):p 21-26, Jan-April 2026. | DOI: 10.21088/ijsn.2277.467X.15126.6
How Cite This Article:
Sahu H, Jaisingh J J. Capgras syndrome. J Surg Nurs. 2026;15(1):21-26.Timeline
Received : October 06, 2025
Accepted : November 12, 2025
Published : April 30, 2026
Abstract
Capgras Syndrome (CS) is a rare delusional misidentification syndrome (DMS) characterized by the irrational belief that a familiar person, such as a spouse or parent, has been replaced by an identical-looking impostor. First described by Jean Marie Joseph Capgras in 1923, the condition involves a disconnection between visual recognition and emotional response, often resulting from organic brain injuries, neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, or psychiatric conditions such as Schizophrenia. Etiological theories range from psychodynamic conflicts (Oedipus/Electra complexes) to neurological dysfunction in the right hemisphere. Clinical manifestations include anxiety, hallucinations, and social withdrawal. Management requires a multimodal approach, combining pharmacotherapy (antipsychotics and SSRIs) with behavioral psychotherapy techniques that emphasize emotional connection and reality validation rather than direct confrontation of the delusion.
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Data Sharing Statement
There are no additional data available. All raw data and code are available upon request.
Funding
This research received no funding.
Author Contributions
Whether all authors contributed significantly to the work and approve its publication.
Ethics Declaration
This article does not involve any human or animal subjects, and therefore does not require ethics approval.
Acknowledgements
We would like to express our gratitude to the patients, their families, and all those who have contributed to this study.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.
About this article
Cite this article
Sahu H, Jaisingh J J. Capgras syndrome. J Surg Nurs. 2026;15(1):21-26.
Licence:
Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.
| Received | Accepted | Published |
|---|---|---|
| October 06, 2025 | November 12, 2025 | April 30, 2026 |
DOI: 10.21088/ijsn.2277.467X.15126.6
Keywords
Capgras SyndromeDelusional Misidentification Syndrome (DMS)Impostor DelusionProsopagnosiaNeuropsychiatryPsychotherapyAntipsychoticsSearch for Similar Articles
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Timeline
| Received | October 06, 2025 |
| Accepted | November 12, 2025 |
| Published | April 30, 2026 |
licence
Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)
This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.
