154. Delusional Parsitosis

Written By Alienist Entertainment

The docs once again revisit another delusional disorder, Delusional Parasitosis. In this terrifying disorder, individuals believe that they are infested with parasites or other unidentified organisms despite no concrete evidence supporting this notion. There is controversy surrounding this condition and we explore all of it, and cover a criminal case linked to the disorder as well as film depictions and a celebrity’s journey with the condition. 

RESOURCES

  • Bourgeois, M, et al. “Delusional Parasitosis: Folie à Deux and Attempted Murder of a Family Doctor.” British Journal of Psychiatry, 1 Nov. 1992, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1422627/, https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.161.5.709. Accessed 27 Aug. 2023.

  • “Criminal Minds” the Itch (TV Episode 2014) - Plot - IMDb.” IMDb, 2014, www.imdb.com/title/tt3920274/plotsummary/. Accessed 30 Aug. 2023.

  • “Delusional Infestation/Parasitosis and the Law: A Review.” Psychology, Crime & Law, 2015, www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1068316X.2015.1038265?needAccess=true. Accessed 27 Aug. 2023.

  • “Delusional Parasitosis - MN Dept. Of Health.” State.mn.us, 2023, www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/pests/dp.html#:~:text=Delusional%20parasitosis%20is%20a%20psychiatric,%2C%20worms%2C%20or%20other%20creatures. Accessed 27 Aug. 2023.

  • “Delusional Parasitosis - MN Dept. Of Health.” State.mn.us, 2023, www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/pests/dp.html#:~:text=Delusional%20parasitosis%20is%20a%20psychiatric,%2C%20worms%2C%20or%20other%20creatures. Accessed 27 Aug. 2023.

  • “Delusional Parasitosis Facilitated by Web-Based Dissemination.” American Journal of Psychiatry, 2020, ajp.psychiatryonline.org/doi/full/10.1176/appi.ajp.2008.08081283. Accessed 29 Aug. 2023.

  • Diaz-Perez, Julio A, et al. “Delusional Infestation Complicated by Gangrene and Osteomyelitis Requiring Finger Amputation.” JAAD Case Reports, vol. 11, 1 May 2021, pp. 6–9, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8042430/, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdcr.2021.02.021. Accessed 27 Aug. 2023.

  • Donabedian, Haig. “Delusions of Parasitosis.” Clinical Infectious Diseases, vol. 45, no. 11, 1 Dec. 2007, pp. e131–e134, academic.oup.com/cid/article/45/11/e131/335714, https://doi.org/10.1086/523004. Accessed 27 Aug. 2023.

  • Howe, Caroline. “Joni Mitchell Reveals Her Battle with Morgellons Syndrome.” Mail Online, Daily Mail, 11 Oct. 2017, www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4963414/Joni-Mitchell-reveals-battle-Morgellons-syndrome.html. Accessed 27 Aug. 2023.

  • Letts, Tracy. “Bug.” IMDb, 25 May 2007, www.imdb.com/title/tt0470705/?ref_=fn_tt_tt_1. Accessed 30 Aug. 2023.

  • Middelveen, Marianne J, et al. “History of Morgellons Disease: From Delusion to Definition.” Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, vol. 11, 9 Feb. 2018, pp. 71–90, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5811176/, https://doi.org/10.2147/CCID.S152343. Accessed 21 Sept. 2020.

  • Miller, Kelli. “Morgellons.” WebMD, WebMD, 21 Oct. 2012, www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/morgellons-disease-what-is-it. Accessed 27 Aug. 2023.

  • “Perspectives: Delusional Parasitosis | CDC Yellow Book 2024.” Cdc.gov, CDC.gov, 2019, wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2024/posttravel-evaluation/delusional-parasitosis#:~:text=Secondary%20DP%20occurs%20in%20association,the%20fixation%20on%20parasite%20infestation. Accessed 27 Aug. 2023.

  • Tan, Su-Lin. “Joni Mitchell’s Battle with Morgellons Disease.” The Sydney Morning Herald, 3 Apr. 2015, www.smh.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/joni-mitchells-battle-with-morgellons-disease-20150402-1mdtnz.html. Accessed 2 Sept. 2023.

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