True vignettes: Interesting, illustrative examples of behavioral abnormalities in people with Parkinson's disease

Background Parkinson's disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) are neurobehavioral disorders in which behavioral abnormalities are common but often not recognized. Objective To bring to life the actual descriptions rendered by our patients of their unusual experiences. Methods Members of the Parkinson Study Group were asked to provide illustrative examples of particularly memorable abnormal behaviors that their own PD patients or family members reported. Results These recollections were deidentified and sorted into categories. These disorders include the classically described syndromes of Capgras, Cotard, Diogenes, Ekbom, Othello as well as overlap parasomnias, and impulse control disorders. Conclusion Patients with PD often have had unusual experiences that they may not share without inquiries by their healthcare providers, fearful of how they will be perceived. Sensitive inquiries are required to reveal these problems. We believe that reading about real experiences will help sensitize the reader.