Exploring “Folie à Deux” or Shared Psychosis
By Lauro Amezcua-Patino, MD, FAPA and Vincent Perez-Mazzola
The human mind is a complex thing. Humans have a unique capacity for creativity that is rivaled no where else on the planet. We conceive, invent, design and build. From huge sky scrapers to fantastical works of fiction, there seems to be no limit to our creative ways. Indeed, some in the physics community would tell you that each one of us literally assembles reality within our own minds as we experience it.
However, psychiatry, as a field, delves into the complex intricacies of the human mind, exploring various disorders and phenomena that shape our understanding of mental health. Among the myriad concepts within psychiatry, one that stands out for its peculiar nature is “folie à deux,” also known as shared psychosis. This phenomenon challenges traditional perspectives on individualized mental illness, highlighting the profound impact of interpersonal dynamics on psychological well-being.
Defining Folie à Deux:
“Folie à deux,” a French term literally translating to “madness for two,” encapsulates a captivating and perplexing phenomenon within psychiatry. At its core, this concept revolves around the transmission and sharing of a delusional belief from a primary case to one or more individuals who are closely connected…
