A CASE OF OTHELLO SYNDROME (A TYPE OF DELUSIONAL DISORDER) IN A WOMAN OF 54 TREATED WITH HOMOEOPATHY

Authors

  • Deepthi Gilla National Homoeopathy Research Institute in Mental Health, Kottayam.
  • Sreeja Kudukayil Radhakrishnan Nair National Homoeopathy Research Institute in Mental Health, Kottayam.
  • S R Sreelakshmy National Homoeopathy Research Institute in Mental Health, Kottayam.

Abstract

Background: Delusional disorder (DD) is a rare mental illness in which a person presents abnormal beliefs (delusions), but without other prominent psychotic symptoms like hallucinations, thought disorder, or significant flattening of affect. Othello syndrome is a delusional belief or overvalued idea that one’s spouse or partner is being unfaithful. Homoeopathy has evidence base in certain mental health issues, but usefulness in rare psychiatric syndromes is yet to be explored.

Case Report:  A female patient diagnosed as Othello syndrome treated by individualized homoeopathic approach in the Psychiatric ward of NHRIMH is presented. The case was assessed at baseline and follow up visits with Brown’s assessment of Beliefs scale (BABS). The client was treated with infrequent repetition of Arsenicum album in centesimal scale and followed up for a period of 2 years. Baseline BABS score of 24 turned to 16 at the end of 1 month and 0 at the end of 6 months respectively and maintained up to the end of 2 years. The patient became functionally well with marked reduction of delusions.

Conclusion: Individualized Homoeopathic medicine is useful in the management of Othello syndrome (DD). Systematic research with larger numbers is necessary to confirm or refute this single case observation.

Key words: Delusional disorder, Othello syndrome, Brown’s assessment of Beliefs scale (BABS), Individualized Homoeopathy, Arsenicum album

Author Biographies

  • Deepthi Gilla, National Homoeopathy Research Institute in Mental Health, Kottayam.

    Asst. Professor,

    Department of Psychiatry,

     

  • Sreeja Kudukayil Radhakrishnan Nair, National Homoeopathy Research Institute in Mental Health, Kottayam.

    Post Graduate scholar

    Department of Psychiatry

  • S R Sreelakshmy, National Homoeopathy Research Institute in Mental Health, Kottayam.
    Junior Research Fellow,

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Published

2021-07-27

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Original Research Article