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What if you were completely convinced that you were already dead?
In the late 1800s, French neurologist Jules Cotard documented patients who believed they had no organs, no blood, no brain, or even a soul. Some believed they had never existed at all. Others thought they were immortal, eternally damned, or trapped somewhere between life and death.
Today, this rare phenomenon is known as Cotard’s syndrome, AKA the “Walking Corpse” or the “Walking Dead” syndrome.
In this episode of DGSG, we explore the strange and deeply unsettling history of this condition. We’ll hear about people who refused food because they believed they were dead, patients who believed their bodies had disappeared, and the disturbing religious delusions that accompany the syndrome.
We then jump into the modern world of psychiatry and what has been learned about Cotard’s delusion and why some researchers believe these seemingly impossible beliefs might actually be attempts to rationalize profoundly altered experiences of the self and reality.
We’ll also explore modern cases, including first-person accounts, and examine modern treatments such as medication and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
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Host:
Austin Lee (Former Host of Lights Out)
Editor:
Kelley Waterfall
Artwork:
Kelly Jaye MacCarroll
Music:
Matt McBrien
And Michael La Bella
This channel hosts a documentary series for educational purposes (EDSA). Content features authoritative sources, including academic journals, scientific studies, interviews, and newspaper articles designed to educate. All videos include editorial context that enhances their educational and artistic value.
