Shared Psychotic Disorder: A Psychosocial Psychosis?

Shared Psychotic Disorder (SPD) is the development of a delusion in an individual in the context of a close relationship with another who has an existing delusion. SPD has consistently been interpreted from a psychiatric perspective with little regard for the relational component of the sharing of delusions between individuals. We review the epidemiology, etiology, and clinical symptomatology of SPD, together with various theoretical perspectives on the disorder. Treatment options are presented beyond the usual physical separation of the delusional individuals.