Capgras syndrome: Rare delusion makes families feel like imposters

Capgras syndrome is a rare delusion where a person believes a close relative has been replaced by an imposter, according to a medical advice column. It often causes violence toward the perceived fake. The syndrome is linked to Lewy body dementia in about 70 percent of cases. Treatment combines dementia and psychosis medications, though involuntary care requires legal criteria like severe impairment and posing a danger. The column advises family members to consult a psychiatrist specializing in delusions without the patient, as legal commitment processes vary by state.