Final answer:
Folie a deux, also known as shared psychosis, is a psychiatric disorder characterized by the transmission of delusional beliefs from one individual to another. It usually occurs in close relationships, and treatment involves addressing underlying psychiatric disorders and providing therapy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Folie a deux, also known as shared psychosis, is a psychiatric disorder characterized by the transmission of delusional beliefs from one individual, known as the primary or inducer, to another person, known as the secondary or recipient. This condition usually occurs in close relationships, such as family members or couples, where the secondary person starts to adopt the same delusions as the primary person.
An example of folie a deux is when one person believes that they are being followed by spies and convinces their partner that they are also being targeted. The secondary person, without having true evidence for the delusion, starts to believe and experience the same paranoia.
Folie a deux is considered a rare psychiatric condition and can have a significant impact on the lives of those involved. Treatment typically involves addressing the underlying psychiatric disorders of both individuals and providing therapy and medication to manage symptoms.