Rare mental disorders: 16 Conditions beyond the mainstream

Naglaa Saleh

3 May, 2023

Rare mental disorders can be treated with medication and therapy. Discover some lesser-known conditions that impact our lives.

Mental health problems can be incredibly challenging to overcome, as they can have a profound impact on a person's daily life, causing them to feel trapped and controlled by their own thoughts.

Those who suffer from mental health conditions often experience feelings of isolation, fear, doubt, and anxiety due to the confusing and intrusive nature of their thoughts. Recovering from mental health issues requires immense strength and willpower.

As it involves breaking free from the grip of these negative thought patterns and regaining control of one's life. Although it may be a difficult journey.

seeking help and support from professionals and loved ones can provide the necessary tools and resources to overcome mental health problems and achieve long-term wellness.

Mental disorders, also known as psychiatric disorders or mental disorders, are behavioral patterns that can affect different aspects of life. they are rare mental conditions that can be difficult to explain and can be treated with proper medication and therapy.

Examples of rare mental disorders include depression and bipolar disorder, which are not usually discussed due to their lack of experience.

Mental health issues are more common than many people think, with more than a billion people affected by a psychiatric disorder each year. Mental disorders are common and treatable, but rare mental health disorders can be difficult to diagnose.

Some mental disorders can occur naturally, while others are the result of brain trauma or other injuries. Mental health services are needed to help those in need.

Learn about the most important of the 16 rare mental disorders

1. Histrionic personality disorder (HPD)

Histrionic personality disorder (HPD) is a form of personality disorder defined by an excessive attention-seeking tendency that often begins in early adulthood.

It falls under the dramatic cluster of personality disorders and can cause significant distress and dysfunction in social and occupational areas of life.

Treatment for HPD typically involves psychotherapy and medication to help individuals with the disorder gain insight into their behaviors and develop healthier coping mechanisms.

The American Psychiatric Association states that people with HPD have a tendency towards inappropriate seduction and a strong desire for approval. It is important to seek help if someone is struggling with symptoms of HPD or any other mental health concerns, with the right treatment and support.

Personality disorders, including histrionic personality disorder (HPD), are among the least understood mental health conditions. Treatment for HPD often involves talk therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and medication to manage symptoms such as anxiety and depression.

Genetics, childhood trauma, parenting styles, and dramatic, erratic, volatile, or inappropriate sexual behavior are all factors that may lead to the development of HPD. Early intervention can lead to better outcomes for people with this disorder.

The symptoms and indicators of histrionic personality disorder

Strong desire for attention: people with this personality type may feel undervalued or unhappy when they are not the focus of attention.
Shallow and intense emotions: They tend to have rapidly shifting and shallow emotions, which can make them appear dramatic and emotionally expressive, even to the point of embarrassing those around them in public.
Charm and charisma: They have a "larger than life" presence and are persistently charming and flirtatious. They may draw attention to themselves through their physical appearance by wearing brightly colored or revealing apparel.
Lack of substance in opinions: They talk loudly and strongly, but with little facts or data to back up their claims.
Easily influenced: They can be gullible and easily influenced by others, especially by those they admire. They may think that their relationships with others are closer than they really are.

Need for validation: They constantly seek reassurance or approval and have difficulty maintaining relationships, often seeming fake or shallow in their interactions with others. They need instant gratification and become bored or frustrated very easily.

2. Autocannibalism

Autocannibalism is a mental health illness defined by the desire to consume oneself.

It is not recognized as a diagnosable mental health disorder by the diagnostic and Statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-5) and is a form of cannibalism that involves the practice of eating oneself.

Eating skin scabs, hair, boogers, excrement, and body discharges are extreme manifestations of this disease.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy and aversion can help with this disorder. It is essential to seek professional help if someone is engaging in self-cannibalistic behavior.

Mental health professionals can provide proper diagnosis and treatment options to help manage the underlying psychological conditions that may be causing this behavior.

The symptoms and indicators of autocannibalism

Unusual or excessive eating of one's own body parts
Self-mutilation, such as biting off fingers, toes, or other body parts
Eating non-edible objects, such as hair or nails
Ingesting bodily secretions, such as blood, urine, or feces
Aggressive behavior towards oneself
Compulsive scratching or picking of skin
Excessive grooming behaviors like licking or biting one's own skin
unusual cravings for unusual foods like dirt, chalk, ice, paper, etc.

3. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition in which a person has repetitive, uncontrollable thoughts (obsessions) and behaviors (compulsions) that they feel the need to repeat over and over.

It simply relates to being a perfectionist or having a strong work ethic, looking to do work conscientiously and forcefully with abundant effort to be the best at the expense of himself due to his dedication to work to the fullest.

But it is rather a debilitating condition that can greatly affect a person's daily life and relationships. People with OCD may experience a constant need to organize and control, which can interfere with their ability to enjoy life and may lead to significant distress and anxiety.

The symptoms and indicators of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

Fear of contamination: One may feel afraid of germs, dirt, and illnesses, leading to excessive cleaning, hand washing, or showering.
Need for organization: A person may feel the need to have things organized in a particular way at all times, such as by following a certain pattern or maintaining order and symmetry.
Obsessive checking: Worries that appliances haven't been turned off or doors haven't been locked may lead to continually checking things, like taps or locks.
Safety concerns: One may have overwhelming concerns about personal safety or the safety of others, leading to seeking constant reassurance from others.
Hoarding and collecting: Hoarding and collecting items that have no use or value may also be a symptom of these types of behaviors.

4. Multiple personality disorder or dissociative identity disorder (DID)

Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is a mental health illness in which two or more separate identities or personas coexist. It is often a response to repeated childhood trauma, which disrupts the normal process of personality development.

Common signs of DID include difficulty coping with emotional stress, feeling detached from oneself, gaps in memory, and hallucinations. Research suggests that the disorder is likely a psychological response to interpersonal and environmental stresses, particularly during early childhood.

Up to 99% of people with DID have experienced significant trauma during childhood, often before the age of six.

The symptoms and indicators of multiple personality disorder or dissociative identity disorder

DID involves having two or more distinct identities, with one being the person's usual personality (called the "core" identity) and the others being alternate personalities (called "changes").
Some people with DID can have as many as 100 changes, which tend to be very different from each other.
The identities may differ in terms of gender, ethnicity, interests, and ways of interacting with the environment.
Other common signs and symptoms of DID include delusions, depression, confusion, drug or alcohol abuse, freedom from emotion, and escaping from feelings, which can be driven by thoughts of suicide or self-harm.

5. Alice in Wonderland Syndrome (AIWS)

Alice in Wonderland syndrome (AIWS) is a neurological condition that affects how the brain processes sensory information. This rare disorder can cause distortions in a person's perception of their own body or the world around them.

Making objects appear larger or smaller than they actually are. Although it is not recognized in the DSM-5, it can be diagnosed based on the presentation of symptoms, which include visual hallucinations and metamorphopsias.

The condition is often associated with brain injuries or the use of antipsychotic drugs, but it can also occur for other reasons that are often temporary or treatable.

The name of the syndrome comes from the children's storybook "Alice in Wonderland," in which the main character experiences changes in her body size after eating a cake.

The symptoms and indicators of Alice in Wonderland syndrome (AIWS)

Changes in perception of the body
Derealization (the sensation of being separated from the world around you)
Depersonalization (feeling disconnected from your own body, thoughts, or feelings)
Somatopsychic duality (feeling split into two vertically)
Disruption in the sense of time (feeling disconnected from your own body, thoughts, or feelings)
Changes in size and distance
Lilliputianism (feeling that objects or body parts are shrinking)
Changes in object appearance
Partial macrosomatognosia (feeling that a part of your body is too big)
Partial microsomatognosia (feeling that a part of your body is too small)

6. Alien Hand Syndrome (AHS)

Alien hand syndrome is a rare neurological disease that allows one hand to behave on its own free will. It is also known as Dr. Strangelove Syndrome, Strangelovian hand, or anarchic hand.

It can be caused by various circumstances, such as a stroke, trauma, or tumor, and is associated with cancer, neurodegenerative illnesses, and brain aneurysms.

Symptoms involve deliberate but involuntary movement of the hands and are connected to problems of brain function, especially when the right parietal lobe is injured.

Brain scans demonstrate that people with alien hand syndrome have isolated activity in the contralateral main motor region, which might disrupt deliberate planning processes and produce spontaneous movements.

The symptoms and indicators of alien hand syndrome (AHS)

Alien hand syndrome is a rather uncommon neurological condition
It causes the affected hand to move involuntarily and independently
The most prominent symptom is the inability to control the hand
The affected hand can perform goal-directed tasks without the person's intention or awareness.
Other symptoms include involuntary grasping movements or gestures that are out of the individual's control.
The alien hand may interfere with intentional actions, causing unintended drops or actions
Alien hand syndrome can affect either hand, but it commonly affects the non-dominant hand.
Symptoms might differ from one individual to the next and alter over time
Underlying neurological conditions such as stroke or traumatic brain injury can cause alien hand syndrome.
In certain circumstances, the fundamental reason cannot be determined
Seeking medical attention is important for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment
Treatment may involve medications, physical therapy, or surgical intervention

7. Capgras Syndrome

Capgras syndrome is a type of delusional disorder that can make a person believe that someone they know has been replaced by an imposter.

This disorder is classified as a delusional misidentification syndrome (DMS), which is characterized by delusions that cause people to misidentify themselves or others. Capgras syndrome is the most commonly identified subtype of DMS.

For example, a woman with Capgras syndrome may suddenly accuse her husband of being an imposter and may even harass them in an attempt to reveal the truth.

While this condition can affect people of all ages and genders, it is more likely to occur in women and is incredibly rare, affecting only 1 to 4.1% of people with mental health conditions.

Although Capgras delusion is not directly addressed in DSM-5, it falls under the category of delusional disorder.

People with this condition experience an irrational fear that someone they know has been replaced by an imposter, and they may have an unshakable belief that the person they once knew is now unfamiliar.

Capgras syndrome often occurs in individuals with neurodegenerative conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, as well as those with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia who may experience imposter syndrome.

The symptoms and indicators of Capgras syndrome

Capgras syndrome can cause severe symptoms that affect the person with the condition as well as their family and friends.
The main characteristic of Capgras syndrome is the belief that a loved one has been replaced by an imposter that only the person with the disorder can see through.
Symptoms usually manifest when the person with the condition is around the supposed imposter.
Some symptoms include feeling anxious or stressed, acting violently towards the imposter, behavioral changes, and an increased risk of violent behavior towards the imposter.
Capgras syndrome is a highly individual condition, and symptoms can vary from person to person.
When Capgras syndrome is associated with other neurological or mental health conditions, the person may also display signs of those conditions.

8. Cotard’s Delusion

Cotard's delusion, also known as the walking corpse syndrome, is a rare and frightening mental illness first discovered by a French psychiatrist in 1880. While it is not specifically listed in DSM 5, it falls under the categories of anxiety and schizophrenia.

Individuals with Cotard's delusion believe that they are already dead or dying and do not exist. They may experience auditory hallucinations and refuse to eat or take medications. Diagnosis can be challenging because many organizations do not recognize it as a disease, and there is no standardized list of criteria used to make a diagnosis.

If you suspect you have Cotard's delusion, keeping a journal of your symptoms can help your doctor narrow down possible causes. However, it's worth noting that Cotard's delusion often occurs alongside other mental illnesses, leading to multiple diagnoses.

This condition can have serious consequences, such as neglecting personal hygiene or refusing to eat, which can lead to malnutrition and starvation. It may also cause social isolation and depression, and some individuals may attempt suicide as a means to prove they are already dead or escape a life that feels unreal.

The symptoms and indicators of Cotard's delusion

Cotard delusion is a mental disorder characterized by the belief that one is dead or nonexistent.
Nihilism, or the belief that nothing has value or meaning, is a common symptom of Cotard's delusion.
Depression is also closely related to Cotard delusion, with 89% of documented cases including depression as a symptom.
People with Cotard delusion may experience anxiety, hallucinations, hypochondria, guilt, and a preoccupation with hurting themselves or death.
Some individuals may feel the delusion about their entire body, while others may feel it about specific organs, limbs, or their soul.

9. Apotemnophilia

Apotemnophilia, also known as body integrity identity disorder, is a neurological condition where individuals have an intense desire to amputee a healthy limb. Although it is not included in DSM 5, it can be found in ICD-11.

However, it is difficult for these individuals to find a surgeon who will willingly amputate their healthy limb, leading some to resort to extreme measures such as self-harm with a wood chipper or chainsaw.

Research has found a connection between apotemnophilia and inappropriate sexual behavior. Some people view their healthy limb as an erotic object and desire its removal. Additionally, most people with apotemnophilia are sexually attracted to amputees.

The syndrome of apotemnophilia, also known as body integrity or amputee identity disorder, is characterized by the desire for amputation of a healthy limb, and may be accompanied by the behavior of pretending to be an amputee and sometimes sexual arousal.

The symptoms are similar to those of obsessive-compulsive disorder and body dysmorphic disorder, but the core symptom is strongly linked to a sense of identity. Treatment with a selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor may only decrease distress levels.

while cognitive restructuring in psychotherapy has limited effects. Behavioral elements, however, can substantially reduce the behavior of pretending to be an amputee.

The symptoms and indicators of apotemnophilia

A strong desire to be distinguished by a healthy limb amputation makes them feel "completely healthy."
The majority of apotemnophiles are sexually attracted to amputees.

10. Stendhal Syndrome

Stendhal Syndrome, despite being widely recognized as one of the most peculiar conditions within the realm of mental disorders, is not included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) as a recognized mental health condition.

It is characterized by intense feelings of anxiety and confusion, often accompanied by psychosomatic symptoms such as heart palpitations and hallucinations, experienced by an individual after exposure to a significant amount of art.

This collection of symptoms, sometimes referred to as aesthetic sickness, has been well documented, and its historical roots can be traced back to even before the term was coined by Magherini over three decades ago.

Notably, some historical figures, such as the renowned psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud, are believed to have experienced Stendhal Syndrome.

The symptoms and indicators of Stendhal syndrome

rapid heart rate
chest pains
dizziness
fainting
hallucinations
anxiety
shortness of breath
nausea
sweating
confusion
paranoia
loss of consciousness

11. Paris Syndrome

Paris Syndrome is an infrequent psychological phenomenon observed in a small minority of travelers to Paris whose actual experience differs significantly from their expectations or previous experiences.

This condition is considered an extreme manifestation of culture shock and is characterized by a range of psychiatric and psychosomatic symptoms, such as delusions, hallucinations, paranoia, derealization, depersonalization, anxiety, dizziness, tachycardia, sweating, and vomiting.

Although not explicitly identified in DSM-5, the signs and symptoms of Paris syndrome are present in some diagnostic categories.

This temporary condition occurs exclusively in Japanese nationals who visit Paris for the first time, as first identified and named by a Japanese psychiatrist named Hiroaki Ota in the 1980s. However, people from other nations have also been known to suffer from it.

Apart from the usual language barrier, the failure of Paris to match their mental image may cause psychological distress for vulnerable travelers. When the "City of Love" fails to meet their expectations, they may suffer a meltdown.

As psychologist Hervé Benhamou puts it, "Fragile travelers can lose their bearings. When their perception of the nation collides with the reality of what they encounter, a crisis might result."

The symptoms and indicators of Paris syndrome

The syndrome has psychiatric symptoms.
The symptoms include acute false states, hallucinations, feelings of oppression, derealization, depersonalization, anxiety, and psychosomatic manifestations.
Feelings of persecution involve the perception of being a victim of prejudice, aggression, or hostility from others.

12. Factitious Disorder or Munchausen Syndrome

Munchausen syndrome is a psychiatric condition characterized by the intentional fabrication, exaggeration, or induction of physical, emotional, or cognitive symptoms for no apparent external incentive or reward.

This disorder is distinct from malingering, which involves the deliberate feigning of symptoms for tangible gains.

The severity of symptoms in factitious disorder varies from mild to severe, and individuals with this condition may simulate or manipulate medical tests or procedures to obtain their desired outcome.

Identifying and treating factitious disorders can be challenging, but it is critical to seek medical and psychiatric intervention to prevent self-inflicted harm, including potential fatalities.

This disorder takes its name from Baron von Munchausen, an 18th-century German officer renowned for his tendency to embellish his tales. Although physical symptoms are frequently reported, some individuals may also fabricate or exaggerate emotional or cognitive difficulties.

The symptoms and indicators of Munchausen syndrome

Factitious disorder involves mimicking or producing illness or injury, or exaggerating symptoms or impairment, to deceive others.
People with the disorder hide their deception, making it difficult to realize that their symptoms are actually part of a serious mental health disorder.
They continue with the deception even without getting any obvious benefit or reward or when faced with objective evidence that doesn't back their claims.
Clever and convincing medical or psychological problems
Extensive knowledge of medical terms and diseases
Vague or inconsistent symptoms
Conditions that deteriorate for no apparent reason
Conditions that do not react as predicted to traditional therapy
Seeking care from many physicians or hospitals, which may entail using a false name
Reluctance to enable doctors to speak with family, friends, or other health care providers
Frequent stays in the hospital
Enthusiasm to have regular testing or dangerous procedures
Many surgical scars or evidence of numerous procedures
Arguing with doctors and staff

13. Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)

Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) is a psychological condition characterized by the inability of a child to form secure and healthy emotional bonds with their primary caregivers or parental figures.

It is common among children who have experienced physical or emotional neglect or abuse, as well as traumatizing losses and a lack of emotional closeness from caregivers.

It affects up to 1–2% of children, and children placed in alternative care settings are at higher risk. It is recommended that parents or caregivers seek advice from a healthcare professional for an evaluation.

The symptoms and indicators of reactive attachment disorder

include observing others but not engaging in social interaction
sad and listless appearance
Unexplained withdrawal, fear, sadness, or irritability
Not seeking comfort or responding indifferently when comfort is offered
not showing positive emotions like comfort, love, or joy when interacting with others
Failure to smile
Avoiding eye contact and physical touch
Behavior problems
throwing tantrums to express fear or rage, or constantly displaying displeasure or despair.
They are trying to find things in their environment that they can control, which makes them likely to break rules.
Failing to seek support or assistance
Failure to reach out when picked up
No desire to engage in peekaboo or other interactive games

14. Exploding Head Syndrome (EHS)

Exploding head syndrome (EHS) is a sleep disorder characterized by the perception of a loud noise or explosion within the head without any associated pain.

This auditory hallucination occurs during the transition to sleep or upon awakening during the night and is not audible to others. EHS may be accompanied by visual sensations such as flashes of light as well as sudden muscle jerks known as myoclonic jerks.

Despite its alarming name, EHS is generally considered to be a harmless form of parasomnia and is not typically indicative of any underlying serious health condition. EHS may be referred to as episodic cranial sensory shocks.

While the prevalence of EHS is not well established, it appears to be more common among females and can affect individuals of all ages. Some studies have reported that as many as 16% of college students may experience EHS.

The frequency of EHS episodes varies from person to person, with some individuals experiencing multiple episodes in a single night, while others may have episodes that occur intermittently over several weeks or months.

While the triggers of EHS are not fully understood, some individuals have reported that stress or fatigue may be associated with the onset of their symptoms. In most cases, EHS does not require medical treatment.

The symptoms and indicators of explosive head syndrome (EHS)

Having difficulty falling back to sleep
Panic: feeling frightened or anxious after the episode
Shock was experiencing a sudden muscle jerk at the time of the episode
Heart palpitations Waking up sweating, having a rapid heartbeat, or having trouble breathing

15. Conversion Disorder

Functional neurological symptom disorder, commonly referred to as conversion disorder, is a mental health condition characterized by the disruption of brain function resulting in physical symptoms that cannot be consciously controlled.

These symptoms may manifest as seizures, weakness, paralysis, or decreased sensory input such as vision or hearing. Although the symptoms are authentic, they do not correspond to any recognizable neurological condition.

Conversion disorder is treatable through various forms of therapy, but it is important to recognize that it is a genuine mental health condition and not a fabricated or attention-seeking behavior.

The physical symptoms are not imagined and cannot be consciously controlled by the affected individual.

The symptoms and indicators of conversion disorder

Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES):

Seizures caused by mental health conditions
not related to issues with the brain's structure or function

Sense-related disruptions:

Trouble with the senses of vision, hearing, smell, taste, and touch
Examples: double vision, hearing loss, numbness, inability to feel touch

Pain:

Can occur with other symptoms or on its own

Unusual muscle symptoms:

Muscle tension, spasms, twitches, and tremors
caused by disrupted brain control of muscles

Muscle weakness or paralysis:

Loss of muscle function

Trouble swallowing (dysphagia):

Difficulty swallowing food or liquids

Dizziness:

Feeling lightheaded or unsteady

Fainting or passing out (syncope):

Loss of consciousness

Chronic fatigue or lack of energy:

Persistent tiredness or lack of energy

16. Foreign Accent Syndrome (FAS)

Foreign Accent Syndrome (FAS) is a neurological condition that results in the sudden onset of speaking with a foreign accent.

Typically associated with head injury, stroke, or other brain damage, FAS is a rare phenomenon with only about 100 documented cases since its first observation in 1907.

FAS presents in various forms, including instances such as an Australian woman who acquired a French-sounding accent following a car accident or an American woman who woke up with a mixture of Australian.

British, and Irish accents after experiencing a headache. Notably, FAS affects individuals across different languages and regions worldwide.

The development of FAS is believed to stem from damage to the Broca's area of the brain, which is linked to speech production and situated on the left side of the brain.

This damage can result from a variety of conditions, such as stroke, traumatic brain injuries, brain lesions, aneurysms, and multiple sclerosis (MS), a condition of the central nervous system.

In conclusion, FAS is a real condition that affects individuals across different languages and regions worldwide, and it results from damage to the Broca's area of the brain, which is associated with speech production.

The symptoms and indicators of Foreign Accent Syndrome (FAS)

Difficulty pronouncing clusters of sounds like S-T-R in words like "struck"
Difficulty with sounds that require tapping the tongue behind the top front teeth, such as "t" or "d"
Pronouncing vowels differently, such as saying "yah" instead of "yeah"
Adding, removing, or substituting sounds, such as saying "suh-trike" instead of "strike" or using "r" instead of "l"
Different pitches or tones on certain sounds
Speaking a native language with the accent of someone who learned it as a second language later in life
Good mental health; no underlying mental health condition causing accent changes
Consistent errors throughout the phonetic system create the impression of a new accent

conclusion

Rare mental disorders can often be ameliorated through the combination of antipsychotic medications and therapy.

Such disorders represent persistent patterns of behavior that have developed over the course of an individual's lifetime, but with targeted interventions, these behaviors can be modified.

It is important to recognize that all mental disorders are serious in nature, and treatment must be customized based on the duration and severity of the condition.

Psychotic disorders are indeed treatable, and with the appropriate therapeutic approach, patients can make significant progress on their path to recovery.

Given that mental health issues can be both distressing and potentially life-threatening, it is essential to initiate treatment as soon as possible. By doing so, patients can improve their physical and emotional well-being and begin to regain control over their lives.