capgras syndrome: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
RareTechnical / Medical
Quick answer
What does “capgras syndrome” mean?
A rare psychiatric condition in which a person holds a delusional belief that a close friend, family member, or spouse has been replaced by an identical imposter.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A rare psychiatric condition in which a person holds a delusional belief that a close friend, family member, or spouse has been replaced by an identical imposter.
A delusional misidentification syndrome characterized by the persistent, unshakable conviction that a person (or persons, or sometimes pets or places) known to the individual is not their authentic self but a duplicate or imposter. It is often linked to neurological conditions like dementia, traumatic brain injury, or schizophrenia.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage. The spelling 'syndrome' is consistent. Pronunciation may have minor stress variations.
Connotations
Purely medical/clinical in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally rare and specialized in both British and American English.
Grammar
How to Use “capgras syndrome” in a Sentence
[Patient] was diagnosed with Capgras syndrome.The [neurologist] discussed the presentation of Capgras syndrome.Capgras syndrome is often [linked to] brain injury.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “capgras syndrome” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The condition is not used as a verb.
American English
- The condition is not used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- The condition is not used as an adverb.
American English
- The condition is not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- The patient displayed Capgras-type delusions.
- It was a classic Capgras presentation.
American English
- The case exhibited Capgras-like symptoms.
- They studied the Capgras phenomenon.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in psychology, psychiatry, neuroscience, and medical research papers.
Everyday
Virtually never used. Misunderstood if mentioned outside a clinical context.
Technical
Primary context. Used in clinical assessments, diagnosis, neurology reports, and psychiatric literature.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “capgras syndrome”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “capgras syndrome”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “capgras syndrome”
- Mispronouncing as 'Cap-grass'.
- Confusing it with 'imposter syndrome' (the feeling of being a fraud).
- Using it as a metaphor for general suspicion.
- Misspelling as 'Capgras' without the 's'.
- Incorrectly capitalizing 'syndrome' (only 'Capgras' is capitalized).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Amnesia involves memory loss. In Capgras syndrome, the person recognizes the face but denies the person's true identity, believing them to be a duplicate.
There is no specific cure, but treatment focuses on managing the underlying condition (e.g., dementia, schizophrenia) with medication and therapy to reduce the distress caused by the delusion.
Yes, it is named after the French psychiatrist Joseph Capgras, who first described the condition with his intern Jean Reboul-Lachaux in 1923.
While rare, the delusion can sometimes lead to aggressive behaviour if the perceived 'imposter' is seen as a threat. However, most cases are managed without violence.
A rare psychiatric condition in which a person holds a delusional belief that a close friend, family member, or spouse has been replaced by an identical imposter.
Capgras syndrome is usually technical / medical in register.
Capgras syndrome: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkapɡrɑː ˈsɪndrəʊm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkæpɡrɑːs ˈsɪndroʊm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No idioms exist for this clinical term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Capgras sounds like 'capture grass'. Imagine trying to capture a loved one in a field, but they look the same as your relative, yet you're convinced they're just an imposter made of grass.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE MIND IS A RECOGNITION SYSTEM (that has malfunctioned). THE FAMILIAR IS STRANGELY UNFAMILIAR.
Practice
Quiz
What is the core feature of Capgras syndrome?