Shared psychotic disorder describes which phenomenon?

Shared psychotic disorder describes which phenomenon?

• A. Psychotic disturbance with separate delusions
• B. Psychotic disturbance in which individuals develop a delusion similar to that of a person with whom they share a close relationship
• C. Mood disorder with psychotic features
• D. Personality disorder with unstable relationships

Answer: (B)

Shared psychotic disorder, also known as folie à deux, happens when a dominant, delusional individual and a closely related person live in close contact and the second person comes to share the same delusional belief. The secondary individual typically adopts the delusion through their relationship and degree of influence within the dyad, rather than forming an independent psychotic system. Separation from the primary case often leads to remission in the follower. This differs from independent psychotic disorders, mood disorders with psychotic features, or personality disorders with unstable relationships, because the key feature is the transmission of a delusion from one person to another through close social ties.

Shared psychotic disorder, also known as folie à deux, happens when a dominant, delusional individual and a closely related person live in close contact and the second person comes to share the same delusional belief. The secondary individual typically adopts the delusion through their relationship and degree of influence within the dyad, rather than forming an independent psychotic system. Separation from the primary case often leads to remission in the follower. This differs from independent psychotic disorders, mood disorders with psychotic features, or personality disorders with unstable relationships, because the key feature is the transmission of a delusion from one person to another through close social ties.