A case of paraprosopia and its treatment.
BACKGROUND
The present case study describes the neuropsychological testing and a cognitive-behavioural treatment for a 45-year-old female with paraprosopia--the experience of seeing faces sometimes distorted in grotesque and threatening ways.


METHODS
The treatment focused on relaxation training, exposure, and cognitive restructuring. Ratings of subjective distress, self-reports and mood rating scale data were collected throughout an 8-week treatment period. Follow-up was at 6 weeks and 6 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Both subjective ratings and clinical interview suggested a reduction in the frequency of seeing the face and a substantial reduction in associated distress. Evidence for generalisation was less compelling. Suggestions are made for future psychological treatment of this uncommon disorder.
Kemp
Steven
S
The Leeds Head Injury Team, St. Mary's Hospital, Leeds, UK.
Young
Andrew W
AW
Szulecka
Krystyna
K
de Pauw
Karel W
KW