RxPG - Impulse Control Disorders

QUESTION.
All of the following are impulse control disorders except;
1. Pyromania.
2. Trichotillomania.
3. Kleptomania.
4. Capgras’ sydrome.

Answer
4. Capgras’ sydrome.

Reference
A Short Textbook of Psychiatry by Ahuja 4 ed Page 81 and page 111

Quality
New

Status
Reader

QTDF
Ahuja

Discussion
Impulse control disorders are characterized by impulsive behaviour which the patient cannot resist or control. There may be a feeling of release of tension by doing the act and a feeling of guilt after the act is over. The treatment consists of Behaviour therapy (eg aversion therapy)cognitive behaviour therapy, individual psychotherapy and occasionally pharmacotherapy (eg Carbamazapine for Intermittent Explosive disorder , fluoxetine for trichotillomania.

Explanation
1. Pyromania is an Impulse control disorder and is Pathological Fire setting.
2. Trichotillomania is an Impulse control disorder and is compulsive hair pulling.
3. Kleptomania is an Impulse control disorder and is pathological stealing.
4. Capgras’ sydrome is not an impulse control disorder.

Comments
Capgras Syndrome is a syndrome that is closely related to delusional disorders and it is characterized by a delusional conviction that the other persons in the environment are not their real selves but heir doubles.
It is commonly seen in psychotic conditions with delusional symptomatology like Paranoid Schizophrenia (most frequently) Delusional Disorders and Organic Delusional disorder. The treatment is of the underlying disorder
There are 4 types
1. Typical Capgras Syndrome : Illusion des sosies is a condition in which the person sees a familiar person as a stranger.
2. Illusion des Fregoli is a condition in which the person sees a stranger as a familiar person.
3. Syndrome of Subjective doublkes : The persons own self is perceived as being replaced by a double
4. Intermetamorphosis : Here the patients mesidentification is complete ( including not only the external appearance as in the previous 3 types, but also the personality)

Tips
This is a easy question but the question will be tough if the 4th choice is changed to Dipsomania (in Diabetes) or Erotomania or hypomania

Explanation By Dr Bruno, Author of