All the buzz about Zombies has me freaked out. Like for real. I can handle vamps, werewolves, even ghosts. But zombies? No. Way.
And here’s why!
Zombies. Are. Real.
Named after Jules Cotard (a French neurologist who first described the condition in 1880), Cotard Syndrome is a delusion where the sufferer believes they are dead, or are putrefying, or have lost their blood or internal organs. Sometimes (rarely), it includes delusions of immortality (so in that regard, vampires are real too!)
Related to Capgras Syndrome, Cotard Syndrome can occur in Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder. It can also be a (rare) side effect of Acyclovir (an anti-viral medication).
Treatment includes pharmacotherapy (medication) with anti-psychotics and mood stabilizers. ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy) has also been used.
Has anybody encountered any literature including a character who believed they were dead, decaying, or that their organs were gone?
Be sure to check out Lydia’s Medical Monday and Sarah’s The Strangest Situation.
Remember, these posts are for writing purposts ONLY and are NOT to be construed as medical advice or treamtent.
Let me know if you have a writerly mental health question and I can address it here on Mental Health Monday! 😉
Author Laura Diamond--Lucid Dreamer 
Oh, wow, now I’m so intrigued and a fresh story is brewing. Gah, your posts kill me. Not literally or even mentally! 🙂 Hugs!
Wow, and I thought Capgras Syndrome was terrifying. I can’t imagine how scary it must be to have this particular delusion.
That’s so whack! I’ve never heard of this syndrome, but it’s cool that science has labeled “zombie” behavior. 🙂
Wow… creepy…
Makes me think of a book by Simone de Beauvoir…
That sounds like a horrible way to exist. I can’t imagine personally knowing someone who suffers from this.
Unfortunately, due to my recent characters, I’m learning more and more about zombies. They creep me out, after reading this post even more so. I’m filing this away under ‘Things I Wish I Didn’t Know, But My Characters Made Me’.
Thanks, Laura. 🙂
That’s just bizarre. I don’t remember ever encountering a book with something like this in it. Weird… and scary! :p
Now I’m all disturbed.
Oh my gosh. Really? Wow, this is interesting. Never heard of this before. YIKES
I don’t recall reading any books with these kinds of characters. I’m with you, they just aren’t my thing.
Yowsa. I only like the fictional zombies. Reality is too close to home for me.
Aw, I’m a little disappointed. I thought you were going to say I should start preparing my bunker against a herd of decaying dead people. Although it’s interesting in movies from the ’30s-’40s “zombie” had a different meaning than “Night of the Living Dead” and after that. I think back in the old days a zombie was more someone under the mental control of a witch doctor or something like that.
Ew, I can’t even begin to imagine what that’s like….ew.
Way cool! I did not know that major piece of zombie trivia. (Guess it’s not trivia if it’s major LOL) You totally just made my day. 🙂
Wow, that is fascinating (and horrifying!). I did not know about Cotard Syndrome. And yikes, it can be a side effect of Acyclovir? Is it reversible in some or all cases? Or just tamped down with treatment?
How strange! And sad. And icky! 😉
I’d rather be dead and rotting than to *think* I was dead and rotting on the hoof.
Can’t stand Zombies! Run for your lives. A ton of people love them. I don’t see the appeal.
P.S. Wanted to let you know you won a prize in the I love Dogs blog fest. Check out the http://www.smalltownrescue.wordpress.com for more info.
I think I’ve actually seen some down a weird street in Vancouver. It’s like Shaun of the dead, I was cracking up laughing as we sped through lol. One almost touched our car!
yikes! thats scary for sure. i didnt ever hear of that before and i didnt ever read a book or see a movie with that kinda person in it. did you ever have a client with that? im thinking theres not so many people with that. i hope not.
…hugs from lenny
I feel strongly that if the zombies are hot zombies like Edward, then it’s not creepy. Oh wait, Edward is a vampire. Ok, nevermind then, zombies are creepy.
[…] are real. Don’t believe me, check out this post by Laura Diamond, board certified psychiatrist, blogger, author. This post freaked me out! You […]