RedHanded: DAY 12 – Cotard’s Syndrome (ShortHand’s 13 Days of Halloween)

Date: October 30, 2025

Hosts: Hannah Maguire & Heather Rogers

Episode Overview

This special Halloween “Shorthand” edition of RedHanded dives into the haunting psychological disorder known as Cotard’s Syndrome, or “Walking Corpse Syndrome.” In a chilling yet characteristically witty tone, Hannah and Heather unravel stories of people convinced they are dead, explore the history and science behind the illness, and discuss its eerie cultural relevance. The episode is packed with memorable anecdotes, case studies, dark humor, and a look at both the terrifying and occasionally redemptive journeys of those afflicted.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introducing Cotard’s Syndrome

• Story of Hayley Smith (04:08–06:11):

  • 14-year-old from Alabama, felt something was “terrifyingly wrong,” leading her to believe she was already dead, not merely depressed or suicidal.
  • “She wasn’t depressed. She didn’t want to die. She was already dead.” (Heather Rogers, 05:23)

• Definition & Origins (06:11–07:18):

  • Named after Dr. Jules Cotard, who treated “Mademoiselle X” in 1880—she believed she had no organs and starved herself.
  • Cotard’s is a rare delusional disorder where living people are convinced they are dead, decaying, or lack body parts.

2. The Progression of Cotard’s Syndrome

• Three Stages:
  • Germination Stage: Deep nihilistic depression and hypochondria
    • Case of Esme Weijun Wang (07:18–08:53):
      "I'm dead." she tells her husband.
      "You may think I’m hot, but I’m also a rotting corpse. Sucks to be you, sir." (Esme Weijun Wang, as quoted by Hannah, 08:53)
  • Blooming Stage: Delusional feedback loop where patients behave more “dead”—they may stop eating, avoid cleaning, seek funerals, or loiter in graveyards.
    • “People with Cotard’s may stop eating because the food pyramid means nothing to the walking dead.” (Heather Rogers, 09:37)
  • Chronic Stage: The delusion becomes entrenched and can result in severe morbidity.
    • Infamous cases include spree killer Richard Chase and black metal singer Per Ohlin (“Dead”) (12:06–14:38).

3. Notable Case Studies

• Richard Chase (The Vampire Killer) (12:06–12:50):

  • Thought his blood was turning into powder; cannibalized victims to replenish himself.

• Per Ohlin (‘Dead’ of Mayhem) (12:50–14:38):

  • Engaged in extreme mortuary rituals, likely suffered Cotard’s due to depression and childhood trauma.
  • “Dead had visions that his blood had frozen in his veins.” (Heather Rogers, 13:43)

• Warren McKinley (Ex-soldier) (16:30–17:20, 24:04–25:58):

  • After a severe motorcycle accident, became convinced he had died in the crash, refused to eat, couldn’t be convinced otherwise even with medical proof.

• Esme Weijun Wang (again) (25:03–25:58):

  • Her experience with Cotard’s became a relief, offering her a “second chance” before morphing into a feeling of existential horror.

4. Delusional Logic & Medical Insights

• Resilience of Delusion (17:20–18:47):

  • No rational argument or biological evidence can overpower the conviction.
  • “Telling someone with Cotard’s syndrome that they’re not dead is like telling you the sky isn’t blue or that fire doesn’t burn.” (Heather Rogers, 18:47)

• Links to Capgras Syndrome (20:54–21:53):

  • Capgras: Belief a loved one is replaced by an imposter—due to brain regions responsible for emotion/facial recognition.
  • Both syndromes possibly result from a two-part neural pathway failure, but present differently depending on personality and comorbid conditions.

• Brain Studies (23:19–24:04):

  • 2013 PET scan of a Cotard’s patient found metabolic activity similar to a vegetative state.

5. Treatment & Recovery

• Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) (24:04–24:43):

  • Often used as a last resort, especially when tied to depression.
  • “As depression is the most common diagnosis, the effectiveness of ECT perhaps comes from its ability to treat the underlying depression rather than the Cotard’s delusions themselves.” (Heather Rogers, 24:43)

• Alternative Paths:

  • Warren McKinley and another sufferer used their experience to “start over” as new people.
  • Esme Wang felt temporary relief, but ultimately found, “I was doomed to wander forever in a world that was not mine, in a body that was not mine...” (Quoted by Heather, 25:58)

• The Uplifting Case of Hayley Smith (25:58–27:01):

  • Embraced “life as a corpse,” but therapy and Disney movies eventually brought her “back to life.”
  • “If The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Sleeping Beauty, and Bambi could make her feel so good, maybe she wasn’t so dead after all.” (Heather Rogers, 26:45)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• **“I’m alive and I know it.”

  • “Me too.”
  • “Some people don’t.”
  • “No they don’t.” (04:00–04:08, opening exchange)

• “Would you rather lick a toilet bowl or the sole of your shoe?” (11:40, humorous detour on perceptions and reality checks in mental health therapy)

• “I’m not mental, I’m dead.” (12:01, Heather Rogers, jokingly highlighting the absurd conviction in Cotard’s)

• Kafka quote:
  “I was ashamed of myself when I realized that life is a masquerade party and I attended with my real face.” (25:58, Heather Rogers)

• On the paradox of Cotard’s:
  “In a 90 study on the syndrome, 69% of patients denied their own existence. But interestingly, 55% also believed that they were immortal.” (19:31, Heather Rogers)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [04:08] Story of Hayley Smith
• [06:11] Origins & Dr. Cotard’s Case
• [07:18] The three stages of Cotard’s
• [07:56] Esme Weijun Wang’s Experience
• [12:06] Chronic Cases: Richard Chase & Per Ohlin
• [16:30] Warren McKinley’s Case
• [20:54] Capgras Syndrome Comparison
• [23:19] First PET Brain Scan Study
• [24:04] Electroconvulsive Therapy
• [25:58] Hayley Smith’s Recovery via Disney Films

Conclusion

RedHanded’s Halloween deep dive into Cotard’s Syndrome is a haunting, informative, yet often darkly funny exploration of one of psychiatry’s most bizarre conditions. By weaving compelling personal stories, pop culture references, and brain science, Hannah and Heather bring both empathy and clarity to the “Walking Corpse” delusion, leaving listeners spooked and fascinated. As always, their banter and levity balance the subject’s inherent darkness—capping off a perfect pick for the season.

Final words:

“Don’t get Cotard syndrome, whatever you do.” – Hannah Maguire (27:20)

“Or if you do, watch Aladdin and you’ll be fine.” – Heather Rogers (27:27)