7 Weird Diseases That Might Sound Fictional But Are Unfortunately Very Real

Written by Niharika Nayak, BA (Media & Communication)  • 

If you’re someone who loves to binge-watch medical shows and are super fascinated with rare and crazy diseases, this is the article for you! The world is a strange place, and it can be quite dangerous for many people as well. Certain rare diseases can hit you at any time, anywhere and you won’t even expect it. So here are some of the most bizarre and terrifyingly real conditions that might just be around your street corner (we’re just kidding… or are we?):

1. Cotard’s Delusion

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Cotard’s delusion is a fairly new mental illness. It was first coined by a doctor in the year 1882 after the doctor who discovered it, Dr. Jules Cotard. When someone suffers from Cotard’s delusion, they believe that they are losing parts of their body or that their body is rotting away. These people often believe that they are already dead and might even tell others that they are “rotting away” or need to be “taken to a morgue.” They often refuse to bathe or eat anything and hence can actually put their lives at risk if not treated immediately. This condition is usually treated through the highly controversial, electroconvulsive treatment for mental illnesses along with regular individualized therapy (1).

2. Alice In Wonderland Syndrome (AIWS)

Alice In Wonderland Syndrome
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Sure, Alice in Wonderland is a fictional story but that doesn’t mean that this disease is fictional. Just like in the novel, a person suffering from this condition has hallucinations and can’t perceive objects at their actual size. It is basically a form of body dysmorphia. They also believe that they are shrinking rapidly or expanding to bigger sizes. This condition has been linked to people suffering from migraines, and many believe that the author of the original Alice In Wonderland, Lewis Caroll, suffered from it himself (2).

3. Exploding Head Syndrome

Exploding Head Syndrome
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No, this isn’t an episode from The Boys. Your head does not actually explode, but those suffering from this condition report hearing loud noises that are similar to cymbal clashes and gunshots. The only issue is that it is entirely in one’s own head. If this condition is left untreated, it can cause severe sleep problems and insomnia. It is categorized as a nocturnal disorder and can cause migraines, hypnic headaches, and cluster headaches (3).

4. Congenital Analgesia

Congenital Analgesia
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If you’ve seen the 2018 Bollywood film, Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota then you will know exactly what we’re talking about. A person suffering from this medical condition cannot feel pain. This lack of pain awareness can lead to severe infections, wounds, cuts, bruises, broken bones, and other underlying health conditions. Those suffering from this condition might be able to feel the difference between something that is hot and cold. However, they would not be able to understand their tongue had been burnt because of consuming a hot beverage (4).

5. Morgellons Disease

Morgellons Disease
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Have you ever felt like your skin was crawling with bugs, worms, and other creepy crawlies? Well, people suffering from this condition generally report feeling like they have biting, stinging, and crawling sensations on their bodies. Some people who suffer from this condition might even report that they see certain dark fibers protruding out of their skin (like in the film Black Swan). The condition is considered a mental disorder and is often treated as such since your body cannot actually have buds and insects inside it if you are a healthy individual. No, we’re not talking about when spiders accidentally fall into your ears or when you eat a bug (5).

6. Dancing Mania

Dancing Mania
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We’ve all heard the old yarns about the town that danced itself to death, but did you know that there is actually some truth to the myth? The term is also called, “choreomania,” and those who were said to be suffering from it would keep dancing until they dropped from exhaustion or suffered from heart attacks or other health conditions. It was observed in countries like Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands between the 14th and 17th century (around the time of the Black Plague). A similar variant has occurred in Italy around the same time but was caused by the bite of the Tarantula spider. Oddly enough, those suffering from this condition dance in a weird, frantic, and often erotic manner, causing much awkwardness for their families (6).

7. Capgras Delusion

Capgras Delusion
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Another disease that sounds like the stuff of movies is Capgras Delusion. When someone suffers from this delusion, they believe that a close relative or loved one has been replaced by an imposter who is an exact look-alike to their relative. In some rare cases, they may even believe that an object has been replaced when it has actually not. People who suffer from this condition also tend to have visual hallucinations and even seizures. The duration of the symptoms can last anywhere from a few days to a few months to even years and the condition is unfortunately not well understood. Doctors and researchers report that those suffering from Capgras Delusion have temporal lobe dysfunction (7).

Sure, the world is a strange place and many of the diseases that are present in it are misunderstood and often not given the attention they deserve. While these are pretty rare, it’s always good to be aware of the different diseases and other things that might be present in your surroundings. Which of these diseases freaked you out the most? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!

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