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Folie a famille — the need for family perspectives in psychiatry

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2014

Mark McCartney  and
Rachel Leheup
Mark McCartney
Affiliation:
Psychiatric Unit, Derby City General Hospital, Uptoxeter Road, Derby DE22 3NE, England
Rachel Leheup
Affiliation:
Child and Family Therapy Unit, Harper Villa, Thorneywood, Porchester Road, Nottingham, NG3 6LF, England
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Abstract

A case of folie a famille is described. The presenting symptom bearer was a child thus necessitating psychiatric contact with his family. This prevented the folie a famille from remaining covert as may have occurred had an adult presented in a similar manner. The possibility is raised that folie a plusieurs has a higher incidence than previously believed. Criticism is made of the tendency of adult psychiatry and its diagnostic systems to focus purely upon the individual. The investigation, formulation and management of the case using the family is outlined.

Keywords

Child psychiatryDiagnosisFamilyPsychiatryPsychosesShared paranoid disorder
Type
Case Reports
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 14 , Issue 4 , December 1997 , pp. 149 - 151
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1997

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