Delusional misidentification syndromes in a woman with mild learning disabilities

Schizophrenia is thought to be the commonest setting in which delusional misidentification syndromes occur. Although schizophrenia is said to occur more commonly in people with learning disabilities, when compared to the general population, reports of delusional misidentification syndromes are extremely limited. The case of a 31 year old woman with mild learning disabilities and first episode of acute schizophrenia is described. She had both Capgras and Fregoli syndromes, and a rare variant of Capgras syndrome in which the misidentification was of a cat, rather than a significant person in her life. Aetiological factors are discussed.