The intoxication is caused by a kind of gut yeast that turns sugar into ethanol through fermentation.
It’s a misidentification delusion that allows a person to falsely see someone as psychologically identical to someone else, even though they’re physically different.
The syndrome may be related to a brain lesion, and is often regarded as dangerous because of its paranoid nature. The delusional person often believes whoever is in disguise is coming after them.
Usually when we think of something biologically harmful in our bodies, it’s separate from ourselves. With Lesch-Nyhan syndrome, you become the danger to yourself.
It typically begins as a toddler, with biting of the lips and tongue, but can quickly progress to finger biting and head banging. There are also other symptoms like inflammatory arthritis, kidney stones, and moderate cognitive disabilities.
There is no cure for this syndrome, but medication can help ease the symptoms.
Zombies are typically frightening to people because of their relationship to their bodies, and their complete lack of care for normal human values. What if someone told you there’s a condition very similar to that?
Cotard delusion, also known as walking corpse syndrome, is marked by the delusional belief that you or your body parts are dead, dying, or don't exist.
People who suffer from this rare condition also usually suffer from depression and other severe mental illnesses.
It's most commonly seen in pregnant women, small children, and people with developmental disabilities.
Pica can form as a type of comfort in the face of things like emotional trauma, maternal deprivation, family issues, or parental neglect.
Though the condition has no cure, a healthy mix of psychiatric therapy and medication can help.
Treatment is very specific for each case and should be prescribed by a doctor.
The human body is a complex thing that we haven't quite totally figured out yet, and sometimes the reality of medical conditions can be stranger than fiction. For example, you probably think that no one could actually ever become a zombie, or that someone would be lying if they became intoxicated after dinner but claimed they didn't touch a drink. But these are the fruit of rare syndromes that make people behave in almost unbelievable ways.
Click through to see some truly astounding medical conditions with strange symptoms.
Uncommon medical conditions with really strange symptoms
Did you know some people can get drunk without drinking alcohol?
HEALTH Curiosity
The human body is a complex thing that we haven't quite totally figured out yet, and sometimes the reality of medical conditions can be stranger than fiction. For example, you probably think that no one could actually ever become a zombie, or that someone would be lying if they became intoxicated after dinner but claimed they didn't touch a drink. But these are the fruit of rare syndromes that make people behave in almost unbelievable ways.
Click through to see some truly astounding medical conditions with strange symptoms.