An old man comes to the doctor complaining that a part of this body is rotten and he wants it removed. What is the most likely dx?
a. Guilt
b. Hypochondriasis
c. Munchausen’s
d. Nihilism
e. Capgras syndrome
Ans. The key is D. Nihilism. [nihilism (medical term is nihilistic delusion): parts of the body do not exist or are dead]
Guilt: an emotion that occurs when a person feels that they have violated a moral standard.
Hypochondriasis: worry about having a serious illness.
Munchausen’s: a psychiatric factitious disorder wherein those affected feign disease, illness, or psychological trauma to draw attention,sympathy, or reassurance to themselves.
Capgras syndrome: a delusion that a friend, spouse, parent, or other close family member (or pet) has been replaced by an identical-looking impostor.