Case Reports
The living being dead: Cotard syndrome presenting as a dead spirit
Authors:
Miyuru Chandradasa ,
University of Kelaniya, Ragama, LK
About Miyuru
Faculty of Medicine
P. K. D. H. J. L. De Silva Rajaratne,
National Hospital of Sri Lanka, Colombo, LK
Chirantha Kuruppuarachchi,
Sir John Kotelawala Defense University, Colombo, LK
K. A. L. A. Kuruppuarachchi
University of Kelaniya, Ragama, LK
About K. A. L. A.
Faculty of Medicine
Abstract
Jules Cotard described a syndrome with melancholic anxiety, delusions of possession, ideas of suicide and, thoughts of the non-existence of their own body and/or soul. ‘Perethaya’ is a greedy dead spirit recognized in Sri Lankan culture who expresses a dangerous longing for food until their subsequent incarnation. A 68-year-old female previously diagnosed with depressive disorder stated she is deceased and turned to a ‘perethaya’. She ate from garbage bins and attempted to consume water from toilet bowls as a ‘perethaya’ would do. A 42-year-old male diagnosed with recurrent depression stated he has died and is now a ‘perethaya’. He believed any person who would talk to him is dead as well. These reports present a culturally unique way of Cotard syndrome in Sri Lanka.
How to Cite:
Chandradasa, M., De Silva Rajaratne, P.K.D.H.J.L., Kuruppuarachchi, C. and Kuruppuarachchi, K.A.L.A., 2020. The living being dead: Cotard syndrome presenting as a dead spirit. Sri Lanka Journal of Medicine, 29(2), pp.83–85. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/sljm.v29i2.197
Published on
15 Dec 2020.
Peer Reviewed
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