Abducted by aliens: a case study

This article describes a case of Shared Psychotic Disorder in a married couple. Because only one of the partners of the pair (the inducer) was alive, at the time of the research, the other partner (the recipient) is presented by using a "psychological autopsy" based both on 19 tape recordings containing her delusional recollections and on a history provided by the husband. The content of their delusion, shaped by a fantasy theme of contemporary Western culture, is unique among cases of Shared Psychotic Disorder published in the last 30 years. The discussion following the case presentation draws attention to the potential risk of this type of case leading to a homicide-suicide pact. Additionally, comments are made about both the pathogenesis, with emphasis on psychodynamic hypothesis, and a consideration of the prognosis, which seems modulated by cultural factors.