The Imposter Syndrome

She could feel the beads of endless perspiration dripping down. Her hands began to tremble crashing down the cup in her hands. She sensed the rapid rise in her heartbeat and experienced something tightening her chest.

The trauma was devastating and exhausting her. She couldn't believe what she had just visualized. She was at the balcony allowing herself to get pampered by the freshness outside. She saw "herself" down at the valet parking. The blonde hair, brown eyes, freckles on the forehead... An identical twin?

Tony made it a point to spend the night with his love caressing her. Work consumed his life, parting the bondage they shared before. Though she never expressed it, he could apprehend it. He felt guilty and repented for his mistake. She was the loveliest woman he had met and had fallen in love at first sight.

Tracy crouched near the window as she saw the identical twin still standing there giving her the hostile stare. She tried avoiding looking in that direction but unknowingly eyes followed that direction. With her cold hands she double checked the locks on her door. She equipped herself with the kitchen knife. She heard a crackling laughter downstairs and it sent chills all over her. She shuddered and quivered with fear. She remained there stand still for few minutes leaning back on the wall. Time passed by and she felt losing herself.

Tony had to crash open the door as there was no response for his repeated knocks. Things that awaited surprised him. Shattered pieces of porcelain lay on the floor. He got panicked and felt a churning sensation in his stomach. As he went inside calling out her name, he checked the windows for any forced attempts of entry but the locks were intact. He woke her up after repeated attempts.

She felt nauseautic and he could see desperation in her eyes. She was apprehensive and evaded answering him. She looked blank and stammered with words. She couldn't get him clear. It was semantic satiation, a medical condition where words lose their meaning as they are broken up to the receiver. He understood the amount of fear and stress she had undergone. He helped her way as she staggered back to the bed.

He knew she needed medical attention immediately. He had seen her behave in a similar way few months back at the central library. Her eyes remained transfixed on a woman adjacent to their table. He had noticed her knuckles turn white, her hands gripping hard onto the table.

She began to talk frivolously grabbing him by his shirt. After the woman left she had become normal. He couldn't get a convincing explanation for her actions the other day either.

He made his way to meet his family physician who suggested to consult a psychologist. He took time explaining the psychologist about the sinister behaviour of Tracy. 

Doctor explained him in detail about her condition. She is a victim of "Capgras Delusion" where she feels people around her are imposters trying to harm her. He went on, the causes of the disorder are varied. It might be due to brain dysfunction, Alzheimer's disease, dementia or schizophrenia.

Tony was advised by the doctor to create a welcoming environment where she would feel secure and to spend more time with her and watch her closely. Doctor then suggested we could treat her with validation therapy.

It was two weeks since the validation therapy started and she showed good progress..