Mental and psychological disorders are conditions that affect the way a person thinks, feels and behaves. There is a wide range of disorders ranging from the most common, such as depression and anxiety, to the lesser known and more strange. These less common disorders can be surprising in the way they affect the minds and behavior of the individuals who suffer from them. In this article, we will explore 26 of the strangest mental and psychological disorders that have been identified by the scientific community.
1. Cotard Syndrome
Cotard syndrome, also known as delusions of denial, is a rare disorder in which the affected person believes that they are dead, non-existent, or have lost their internal organs. This strange condition can lead the person to reject the reality of their existence and even stop eating or taking care of themselves, since they do not feel alive.
2. Capgras Syndrome
Capgras syndrome is a disorder in which the affected person believes that a close friend or family member has been replaced by an imposter. Although the person physically recognizes the person in question, they feel that they are not the same person they used to be, which can generate a deep sense of paranoia and distrust.
3. Alice in Wonderland Syndrome
Alice in Wonderland syndrome, also known as micropsia, is a disorder in which the person experiences distortions in the perception of the size of objects , seeing them bigger or smaller than they really are. This strange condition may be related to migraines or other neurological disorders.
4. Diogenes Syndrome
Diogenes syndrome is a disorder characterized by extreme neglect of personal hygiene, social isolation and compulsive accumulation of useless objects. People who suffer from this syndrome usually live in extremely unsanitary conditions and refuse to throw away objects, which can lead to serious health and coexistence problems.
5. Paris Syndrome
Paris syndrome is a psychological disorder that affects certain tourists who visit the city of Paris and is triggered by the feeling of disappointment upon discovering that the city does not conform to idealized expectations. that they had previously. Symptoms include anxiety, depersonalization, hallucinations and panic attacks.
6. Stendhal Syndrome
Stendhal syndrome is a psychophysiological disorder that causes a series of symptoms, such as tachycardia, dizziness and depersonalization, when a person is exposed to works of art or extreme beauty. This syndrome can manifest itself in individuals who are especially sensitive to aesthetics and artistic beauty.
7. Body Integrity Identity Disorder
Body integrity identity disorder is a condition in which a person feels that a part of their body does not belong to them and that it must be surgically removed to restore its integrity. This disorder can lead to extreme behaviors, such as self-mutilation or seeking unnecessary surgeries to amputate the body part perceived as foreign.
8. Wendy Syndrome
Wendy syndrome is a disorder in which the affected person experiences an extreme obsession with caring for and protecting others, often sacrificing their own happiness and well-being in the process. This condition can lead the person to neglect their own needs in favor of those of others, which can be detrimental to their mental and emotional health.
9. Jerusalem Syndrome
Jerusalem syndrome is a psychotic disorder that affects certain visitors to the city of Jerusalem and is characterized by the appearance of delusions or hallucinations of a religious or spiritual nature. Those affected by this syndrome often experience a deep sense of divine mission or special connection to the holy city, which can result in erratic or dangerous behavior.
10. Internet Munchausen Syndrome
Internet Munchausen syndrome is a disorder in which a person pretends to have illnesses or injuries online to gain the attention, sympathy, or concern of others. This deceptive behavior can lead the person to make up elaborate stories about their supposed ailments and constantly seek validation and support in online communities.
11. Rapunzel Syndrome
Rapunzel syndrome is a disorder in which the affected person experiences a compulsion to eat their own hair, which can lead to the formation of trichobezoars in the stomach. These clumps of hair can cause intestinal blockages and other serious health problems if not treated properly.
12. Stockholm Syndrome
Stockholm syndrome is a psychological phenomenon in which a kidnapped person develops feelings of sympathy, empathy or even love towards their captor. This strange syndrome can result from identification with the aggressor, fear of retaliation or the helpless situation in which the victim finds himself.
13. Brugada Syndrome
Brugada syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects the electrical conduction of the heart and can cause life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. This syndrome is hereditary and usually manifests suddenly in young adults, especially during sleep, which can lead to episodes of sudden death if not properly diagnosed and treated.
14. Utelia Syndrome
Utelia syndrome is a rare disorder in which the affected person feels a compulsion to steal insignificant objects of no apparent value. This strange condition can be related to a feeling of constant dissatisfaction, impulsivity or anxiety, and can lead to legal and social problems if not treated properly.
15. Pica Syndrome
Pica syndrome is a disorder in which the affected person feels the need to eat non-nutritive substances, such as dirt, chalk, paper or hair. This strange behavior may be due to nutritional deficiencies, underlying mental disorders, or eating disorders, and can have serious consequences for the person's physical health.
16. Couvade Syndrome
Couvade syndrome, also known as sympathetic pregnancy, is a phenomenon in which men experience symptoms similar to those of their partner's pregnancy, such as nausea, cravings, and mood swings. Although not fully understood, it is believed that this syndrome may be related to the emotional and psychological connection between the couple during pregnancy.
17. Acquired foreign accent syndrome
Acquired foreign accent syndrome is a disorder in which a person begins to speak with a foreign accent that is different from their native accent, usually after a brain trauma or stroke. Although the change in accent is usually temporary, it can have a significant impact on the identity and communication of the affected person.
18. Pathological laughter syndrome
Pathological laughter syndrome is a neurological disorder in which the person experiences uncontrollable episodes of laughter and smiling, even in inappropriate situations or for no apparent reason. This condition can be embarrassing and disruptive to social relationships and may be associated with brain injuries or underlying neurological disorders.
19. Münchausen Syndrome
Münchausen syndrome is a disorder in which a person pretends to have illnesses, injuries, or physical symptoms to gain medical attention, sympathy, or care from others. Unlike online Munchausen syndrome, people with this disorder seek direct medical attention through unnecessary hospitalizations and treatments.
20. Cotard mirror syndrome
Cotard mirror syndrome is a variant of Cotard syndrome in which the affected person believes that he or she is a stranger reflected in a mirror and that his or her real body has disappeared or is dead. . This strange condition can generate a deep feeling of depersonalization and disconnection from reality.
21. Kleine-Levin Syndrome
Kleine-Levin syndrome, also known as Sleeping Beauty syndrome, is a rare sleep disorder in which the affected person experiences recurrent episodes of excessive sleepiness, hyperphagia and changes in behavior. These episodes can last weeks or months and can significantly interfere with the person's daily life.
22. Cabin Syndrome
Cabin syndrome is a psychological condition in which the affected person experiences extreme anxiety or fear of leaving a place of safety, such as a cabin or shelter, after a period of prolonged isolation. This condition may result from a psychological defense mechanism to protect oneself from the outside world perceived as threatening.
23. Scrubbing syndrome
Scrubbing syndrome is a sensory processing disorder in which the affected person experiences an unbearable feeling of discomfort or irritation when hearing certain sounds, such as the squeaking of a whiteboard or someone's sound. eating. This condition can trigger anxiety, aggression or avoidance of situations that generate the triggering sounds.
24. Alien hand syndrome
Alien hand syndrome is a neurological condition in which one of the affected person's hands performs actions automatically and involuntarily, without the person's conscious control. This strange condition can generate internal conflict and frustration when feeling that the hand has a will of its own and does not respond to the individual's commands.
25. Cooperative Syndrome
Cooperative syndrome is a disorder in which the affected person experiences a compulsive need to cooperate and please others, often at the expense of their own needs and desires. This condition can generate feelings of guilt, anxiety and submission to the expectations of others, which can result in overexploitation and exhaustion of the person.
26. Intermittent explosive personality disorder
Intermittent explosive personality disorder is a condition in which the affected person experiences sudden outbursts of anger disproportionate to everyday situations, accompanied by verbal or physical aggression. These episodes of anger can result in property damage, injury to other people, or significant interpersonal conflicts, which can negatively affect the person's personal and social life.
In conclusion, mental and psychological disorders Stranger things can offer a fascinating and often disturbing insight into the complexity of the human mind. While these disorders are rare, it is important to recognize that each individual is unique and may experience unique challenges and difficulties related to their mental health. Understanding, empathy and support are key to addressing mental disorders, whether common or rare, and promoting mental health and well-being for all.