DR. JOHN'S CASE NOTES............................FREGOLI'S DELUSION : This is another variant of the Capgras Delusion which sadly affects a large number of bridge players. Here the victims, so often the harassed and harangued weaker players, develop a rare disorder, whereby they hold the delusional belief that their tormentors are always sitting directly opposite them at the table. Despite having different partners of a much more caring and friendly disposition, the sufferer can only see his tormentor ready to strike. Attempts to convince victims otherwise fall on feaf ears and closed minds. They remain totally convinced that their tormentors just change their appearance, being supreme masters of disguise. This disorder was first reported in 1939 by two psychiatrists, who were both asked to see a mentally ill female player. It soon came to light that her long-term partner had subjected her to years of constant bullying. So much so, she was utterly convinced that this was the norm for all partnerships. The painful memories were so distressing, the face of her tormentor became firmed etched and embedded in her mind. Therefore, every new partner she tried out...... always ( in her now twisted and damaged mind ) possessed the same characteristics and malevolent intent as her former one. Modern day psycho-analysts compare this disorder to an extreme ,but frightening, type of persecution complex. However, unlike a persecution complex where everyone is out to get you, fregoli's delusion is where one individual pretending to be others certainly is.