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Cited by 18Mental Health and PsychiatryDementia and Cognitive Impairment ResearchPsychosomatic Disorders and Their Treatments

‘I am dead’: Cotard syndrome and dementia

Cipriani, Gabriele, Nuti, Angelo, Danti, Sabrina, Picchi, Lucia, Di Fiorino, Mario·2019·International Journal of Psychiatry in Clinical Practice
DOI 10.1080/13651501.2018.1529248
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Abstract

Background: Cotard syndrome is a rare condition whose main feature is a nihilistic delusion ranging from the denial of body parts to that of the existence of one’s own life or even the entire universe.Objectives: The aim of this article is to review the nosological significance of Cotard syndrome and to explore the disorder among patients with dementia.Methods: Medline and Google Scholar searches were conducted for relevant articles, chapters and books published before 2018. Search terms used included Cotard delusion, Cotard syndrome and dementia, nihilistic delusion. Publications found through this indexed search were reviewed for further relevant references.Results and conclusion: In this narrative review we emphasise the fact that cases of Cotard syndrome involving patients with dementia are reported quite infrequently. Published studies are limited to very short series or isolated cases. Clinicians are obliged to treat the disorder. They should be alert to the potential high risk inherent in this condition.KeypointsCotard syndrome is a rare condition characterised by nihilistic delusions that may range from negation of existence of parts of the body to delusion of being dead.The prevalence and incidence of this rare syndrome are not known.Since Cotard’s syndrome is conceptualised as part of an underlying disorder, several psychiatric and somatic diseases have been associated with the syndrome.The syndrome may occur in patients suffering from dementia.

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Crossref · 10.1080/13651501.2018.1529248

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  • In clinical populations, delusions of death or dying, classically known as the Cotard delusion, are extremely infrequent in psychotic patients (<1% prevalence) and are often associated with conditions such as dementia or psychotic depression.

    “In clinical populations, delusions of death or dying, classically known as the Cotard delusion, are extremely infrequent in psychotic patients (<1% prevalence) (Bott et al., 2016; Dihingia et al., 2023), and are often associated with such conditions as dementia (Cipriani et al., 2019) or psychotic depression (Faunce and Tennant, 2024).”

    From “I was trying to save the world”: delusion-like ideation and associated impacts reported by Western practitioners of Buddhist meditation (2025) · cites this paper as Cipriani et al., 2019

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Authors
Cipriani, G., Nuti, A., Danti, S., Picchi, L., & Di Fiorino, M.
Affiliations
  • Ospedale Versilia (IT)
  • Psychology Unit, Hospital of Pontedera, Pontedera, Italy;
  • Ospedale di Livorno (IT)
  • Psychiatry Unit, Versilia Hospital, Lido di Camaiore, Italy;
Corresponding author
Cipriani, Gabriele
ORCID
Cipriani, Gabriele
Venue
International Journal of Psychiatry in Clinical Practice
Publisher
Informa UK Limited
Published
2019-03-08
Volume
23
Issue
2
Pages
149-156
ISSN
  • 1365-1501 (ISSN-L)
  • 1471-1788
DOI
10.1080/13651501.2018.1529248
OpenAlex
W2921439742
Cited by
18
References
92
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 1
FWCI
9.62
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • International Journal of Psychiatry in Clinical Practice (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Philosophy › Mental Health and Psychiatry
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Psychosomatic Disorders and Their Treatments
Keywords
Cotard syndrome, nihilistic delusions, dementia, disease classification, psychiatric comorbidity, somatic diseases
MeSH terms
Delusions, Dementia, Humans, Syndrome

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