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.
The Leeds Head Injury Team, St. Mary's Hospital, Leeds, UK.
Steven
S
Kemp
Andrew W
AW
Young
Krystyna
K
Szulecka
Karel W
KW
de Pauw