Folie à deux meaning

Folie à deux is a psychiatric condition characterized by a shared delusion between two individuals.


Folie à deux definitions

Word backwards eilof à xued
Part of speech Noun
Syllabic division fo-lie à deux
Plural The plural of the word folie à deux is folies à deux.
Total letters 10
Vogais (5) o,i,e,a,u
Consonants (4) f,l,d,x

Folie à deux, also known as shared psychotic disorder or induced delusional disorder, is a rare and fascinating psychiatric condition in which the delusional beliefs of one person are transmitted to another person with whom they share a close relationship. This phenomenon typically occurs between family members, couples, or individuals who live in close proximity.

Symptoms and Characteristics

The primary characteristic of folie à deux is the transmission of delusional beliefs from the "primary" person to the "secondary" person. The secondary person comes to believe in the delusions of the primary person, even though they are not experiencing the same delusions themselves. This shared psychosis can manifest in various ways, including paranoid beliefs, hallucinations, or other symptoms of psychosis.

Causes and Risk Factors

The exact causes of folie à deux are not well understood, but it is believed to occur in situations of high emotional intensity and close interpersonal relationships. Factors such as isolation, dependency, and psychological vulnerability may contribute to the development of shared psychotic disorder. Genetic predisposition and environmental stressors may also play a role.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosing folie à deux can be challenging, as both individuals may not be forthcoming about their shared delusions. Mental health professionals typically rely on detailed history-taking, observation of interactions between the individuals, and psychological assessments to make an accurate diagnosis. Treatment often involves separating the individuals and providing individual therapy to address the underlying issues that contributed to the shared psychosis.

Overall, folie à deux is a complex and intriguing psychiatric condition that highlights the profound impact that close relationships can have on our mental health. By increasing awareness and understanding of this phenomenon, we can better support individuals who may be experiencing shared psychotic disorder and facilitate their journey towards recovery and healing.


Folie à deux Examples

  1. The psychiatrist diagnosed the pair with folie à deux, a rare psychiatric disorder where two people share the same delusional beliefs.
  2. The sisters exhibited symptoms of folie à deux, including paranoid thoughts about being followed by government agents.
  3. The friends' folie à deux led them to believe they had special powers that allowed them to communicate telepathically.
  4. The couple's folie à deux drove them to isolate themselves from friends and family who tried to convince them their beliefs were unfounded.
  5. The twins' folie à deux caused them to believe they were aliens sent to Earth to save mankind from destruction.
  6. The roommates' folie à deux resulted in them hoarding food and supplies in preparation for an impending apocalypse.
  7. The coworkers' folie à deux led them to believe that their boss was secretly plotting to fire them both.
  8. The mother and daughter's folie à deux caused them to become convinced that they were being poisoned by their neighbors.
  9. The folie à deux between the classmates made them believe that they were the only ones who truly understood the hidden messages in their favorite TV show.
  10. The actor and his agent developed a folie à deux, convinced that they were destined for fame and success beyond their wildest dreams.


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  • Updated 14/05/2024 - 21:18:16