Delusion of Pregnancy in a 60 Years Old Lady

Abstract

BACKGROUND-The delusion of pregnancy is a condition where the person strongly believes that he/she is pregnant in spite of providing enough evidence to the contrary. Though previously it was considered rare, the number of such cases are gradually increasing in developing countries but the literature regarding this is very meagre in India particularly in the NorthEast. METHOD-In this article we report the unique case of a 60yrs old woman from rural Assam who developed delusion of pregnancy following her menopause thirteen years back, which has been continuing ever since. RESULT-A 60ys old woman presented in the OPD of Tertiary Care Hospital with feelings of movement of foetus in her womb. This was also associated with tremulousness of whole body, burning sensation of both lower limbs, palpitation, irritability and disturbed sleep for 13yrs with episodic exacerbation currently increased for 4-5months. She was a housewife, completed her family and lived with her husband and three children. She was apparently well 13yrs back when following her menopause at age 42yrs she started to doubt if she is pregnant or not. Multiple gynaecologists' opinion was taken but that did not convince her and she continued to believe she was pregnant and felt the movement of the baby inside her womb. CONCLUSION-Although these kinds of patient visit the obstetrician first but historically and clinically this type of delusion of pregnancy is clearly different from the phenomenon of pseudocyesis. Hence treatment approach of both are also different. We need further research to explore this rarely reported phenomenon.

Delusion of pregnancy for 21 years in an elderly woman: A case report and review of literature

“…Among the various available case reports, DOP has been reported for as long as 18 years. [ 9 ] Both these cases were diagnosed with delusional disorder, as was true for the index case. In the index case, the patient never reported about the delusional belief before the index presentation, neither did she voice the same in her previous depressive episode.…”

“…She was diagnosed with persistent delusional disorder. [ 9 ] Another case report reported DOP in a 70-year-old female with dementia. [ 10 ]…”

Delusion of Pregnancy: A Case Report and Literature Review

“…11 , 26 In some cases, low socioeconomic status and illiteracy were also associated with intensified belief. 2 The loss of a loved one, perceived societal pressure and low socioeconomic status are the main contributors to the index patient’s delusions. Delusion of pregnancy in men can be psychodynamically interpreted as an expression of frustrated creativity, envy toward his wife’s ability to become pregnant, and expression of identification with their own mothers.…”

Delusion of pregnancy: Case series

“…[ 11 , 12 ] Organic brain syndrome may also mimic changes of pregnancy (sequalae of head trauma, encephalitis). [ 16 ]…”