Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Jun 18: Imagine walking into your mother’s living room and hearing her say, “You look like my daughter, but you’re not her.” The pain of such a moment is immeasurable — but for many families navigating the complexities of dementia, this surreal scenario is heartbreakingly real. At the heart of this disturbing experience lies a rare neurological condition known as Capgras Syndrome — a disorder that transforms loved ones into strangers in the eyes of those suffering from it.

Capgras Syndrome, a type of delusional misidentification disorder, is often seen in patients battling Alzheimer's disease, Lewy body dementia, or Parkinson’s disease with dementia. It tricks the brain into believing that someone familiar — a spouse, child, or caregiver — has been replaced by an impostor. This is not just forgetfulness; it’s a deeply unsettling fracture in emotional memory.

First identified in 1923 by French psychiatrist Joseph Capgras, the syndrome is rooted in a malfunction of the brain’s emotional recognition system. The patient may recognize a face, but fails to feel the emotional connection that once existed. In response, the mind builds a logical narrative to fill this emotional void — often leading to the disturbing belief that the person before them is merely a lookalike.

Experts explain that under normal conditions, our brain relies on two systems to recognize someone: one that identifies visual features and another that attaches emotional familiarity. In Capgras Syndrome, while the visual system remains intact, the emotional link breaks down due to damage in parts of the brain like the temporal and frontal lobes. As a result, the loved one “looks right” but doesn’t “feel right.”

The effects are devastating for both sides. For family members, being told by a spouse of 40 years that they’re an impostor can feel like a soul-crushing betrayal. For the patient, the world becomes a frightening place full of perceived strangers pretending to be close kin.

The reaction to this delusion often includes fear, suspicion, and sometimes aggression, particularly when caregivers attempt to correct the belief head-on. Medical professionals recommend compassion over confrontation. Experts advise against arguing — instead, they encourage caregivers to validate the patient’s feelings, gently redirect conversations, or even briefly leave and return, as a change in setting can sometimes “reset” recognition.

In some cases, doctors may consider prescribing medication — such as antipsychotics or anti-anxiety drugs — but only with close medical supervision, given the risks involved for dementia patients.

Capgras Syndrome is a painful reminder that dementia affects more than memory. It warps reality, shatters trust, and tests the very bonds of love. But amid the confusion and fear, kindness still finds a way. Sometimes, it means not insisting on being recognized. Sometimes, it means becoming “the friendly neighbour” — just to offer peace.

Because when a loved one forgets who you are, love means remembering for both.