Observations placeholder
Recurrent postictal depression with Cotard delusion
Identifier
023100
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
Cotard's syndrome is simply a never ending out of body experience
A description of the experience
Indian J Pediatr. 2005 Jun;72(6):529-31. Recurrent postictal depression with Cotard delusion. Mendhekar DN1, Gupta N. 1Department of Psychiatry, G.B. Pant Hospital, New Delhi-110 002, India. dr_dnm@hotmail.com
Depression is a common occurrence among epileptic patients and constitutes, along with anxiety disorders, the most frequent psychiatric condition in these patients. However, little work is done in the area of post-ictal depression especially in children with epilepsy.
Here, the authors report an adolescent boy who developed recurrent depression associated with Cotard's delusion following complex partial seizure at the age of 7 years.
Trial of antidepressant drug and lithium worsened the clinical picture ….
This case is unique in its presentation due to recurrent depression itself is rare at this age and secondly rarity of onset of Cotard delusion in prepubertal phase. This case also showed that post-ictal depression is biological process rather than psychological and social reaction. Prompt identification and management of underlying cause would definitely prevent further complication and would also prevent the child from exposing unnecessary with various pharmacological treatments.
PMID: 15985745