Cotard's syndrome

Cotard's syndrome is a form of severe depressive disorder that was described by the French psychiatrist, Cotard, in 1882.

It is characterised by intense nihilistic delusions, for example:

• belief that a familiar person or thing does not exist
• belief that one's body has disintegrated or died
• belief that the world is coming to an end

Cotard's syndrome is usually seen in as part of schizophrenia or in severe bipolar disorder. Other possible causes include alcoholism, syphilis, Alzheimer's disease, a parietal lobe lesion.

The patient may respond to antipsychotic or antidepressant medication.