Abstract

Brothers on Big Brother: A Case of Folie à Deux in Monozygotic Twin Males

Author(s): Nikita Patel, Calvin Nguyen*, Laura Ruekert and E. Ann Cunningham

Folie à deux is a psychiatric condition characterized by a shared delusion among two or more people who are in a close relationship. The incidence of shared delusional disorder is reported to be low. Shared delusional disorder is more common among genetically related individuals, especially twin sisters, and those with a prolonged dependent relationship. This case describes the hospitalization and course of monozygotic twin males with a shared delusional disorder. It highlights a rare condition with the interplay of genetic heritability and environmental factors. Even when separated for a short period of time, the secondarily affected twin was able to have marginally more insight into their delusions and recognized the importance of compliance with medication during hospitalization.

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