A. Odomwhite et al., MISIDENTIFICATION SYNDROMES IN SCHIZOPHRENIA - CASE REVIEWS WITH IMPLICATIONS FOR CLASSIFICATION AND PREVALENCE, Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 29(1), 1995, pp. 63-68
Misidentification syndromes represent false, delusionally-based identi
fication of self and/or others. These are variants of the Capgras Synd
rome. Although the frequency of misidentification syndromes in schizop
hrenic populations has not yet been established, the authors believe t
his syndrome is more prevalent than previously described. Seven of twe
nty-five (28%) consecutive patients admitted to a chronic clozapine un
it with a variant of misidentification syndrome will be described. The
ir symptoms are categorised according to traditional classification, a
nd Silva's proposed nomenclature. Problems inherent in these classific
ations are discussed. The need for a more systematic classification of
misidentification syndromes is emphasised. Longitudinal studies of mi
sidentification syndrome, and the development of a standardised assess
ment tool for clinicians who treat chronically psychotic patients, are
encouraged.