Delusional parasitology

[mrsmootoo]

I am worried about a female friend (aged 60 ish). For months she has complained about being infested with a parasite. Her GP seems reluctant to refer her to a parasitologist. Friend says there is no rash to see - there isn't - her skin looks fine and her general health is OK. It seemed unlikely to me that she would have contracted an invisible parasite. When I started googling this I was amazed to discover 'delusional parasitology' is a thing. Is it common? Is it treatable, especially when someone is so convinced they really are infested. Not sure how to help her.

Does she think it’s in her gut

She thinks it's on/under her skin, not gut.

I think this something the the singer Joni Mitchell had. It might be worth Googling her illness to see if it was ever resolved.

I work in Older People's mental health and have seen this quite often. Unfortunately it is very difficult to treat successfully.

Yes this is very common with people with dementia, we couldn't do much other than offer a wet flannel to soothe the skin from scratching

There is a condition called Morgellons which sounds similar