Fregoli Delusion: a Bizarre Mental Delusion

Fregoli Delusion is a rare mental disorder that causes a person to believe that several different people are one person who keeps dressing up in disguises or somehow changing their appearance.  This disorder was named after Leopoldo Fregoli, an Italian actor who was known for being able to quickly change his appearance during his stage act.  The very first case of Fregoli Delusion was found in a 27 year old woman in 1927.

Those who suffer from the disorder are paranoid and believe that they are being singled out and persecuted by the person in disguise.  Fregoli Delusion has been associated with verbal threats and aggressive behavior.

Although uncertain, research suggests that Fregoli Delusion may be caused by a brain lesion. It can also be caused by brain trauma.  It is classified as a monothematic delusion and as a delusional misidentification syndrome.

Fregoli Delusion is listed as one of the 15 Truly Bizarre Mental Delusions along with Capgras Delusion, Internet Delusions, Truman Show Delusion, Life as a Computer Game, Cotard’s Syndrome, Derealization, Wendigo Psychosis, Depersonalization, Delusions of Grandeur, Super Human Delusions, Reduplicative Paramnesia, Alice in Wonderland Syndrome, Clinical Lycanthropy and Erotomania.  

Fregoli Delusion is the opposite of Capgras Delusion.  Those who suffer from Capgras Delusion believe that friends or family members have been replaced by imposters.  They recognize who they are, but they no longer feel the emotional connection with them.