Delusions

A delusion is an unshakable belief in something untrue. These irrational beliefs defy normal reasoning and remain firm even when overwhelming proof is presented to dispute them. Delusions are often accompanied by hallucinations and/or feelings of paranoia, which act to strengthen confidence in the delusion.

One cannot argue or convince someone experiencing a delusion that their perceptions are not accurate. One effective strategy is to acknowledge to the person that what they are experiencing must be extremely stressful. This opens the door for a recommendation to seek treatment and a medication evaluation for stress and anxiety rather than for a “psychotic” disorder. This engenders trust and does not create a confrontation.

(Click a delusion below to learn more.)

Persecutory Grandiose Jealousy Erotomania Body Dismorphic Disorder Somatic Folie à Deux Capgras syndrome Mixed Delusions

PARANOID OR PERSECUTORY DELUSIONS

Paranoia is a thought process heavily influenced by anxiety or fear often to the point of irrationality and delusion. Paranoid thinking typically includes persecutory beliefs concerning a perceived threat towards oneself.

Examples of Persecutory Beliefs

Others are plotting against them.
Supernatural forces are at work in their lives.
There are hidden meanings in everyday events.
Microphones and cameras are hidden everywhere.
People who are there to help are really trying to harm them.

If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these thoughts or feelings – it is potentially a very dangerous situation – the person’s decision-making process is no longer based in reality! These are indications of a serious psychological problem or possibly a substance induced psychosis.

GRANDIOSE DELUSIONS

Individuals with grandiose delusional disorder have an over-inflated sense of self-worth. Their delusions center on their own importance, such as believing that they have done or created something of extreme value or have a “special mission.”

JEALOUSY DELUSIONS

Unjustified and irrational beliefs that an individual’s spouse or significant other has been unfaithful.

EROTOMANIA DELUSIONS

Individuals with erotomania delusional disorder believe that another person, often a stranger, is in love with them. The object of their affection is typically of a higher social status, sometimes a celebrity. This type of delusional disorder may lead to stalking or other potentially dangerous behavior.

BODY DYSMORPHIC DISORDER

A condition where a person believes that part or parts of their body are disfigured. Stress, anxiety and a general sense of psychological distress that stems from this disorder can lead to a social phobia and impede the person’s ability to go to work or interact with other people.

SOMATIC DELUSIONS

The belief that something is physically wrong with the individual. The delusion may involve a medical condition or illness or a perceived deformity. This condition differs from hypochondriasis in that the deformity is perceived as a fixed condition not a temporary illness.

FOLIE À DEUX

A shared delusional disorder where most often a paranoid or persecutory delusion is transmitted from one person to another.

CAPGRAS SYNDROME

A delusional belief that a close friend or family member has been replaced by an identical impostor. The danger occurs when the person believes that the only way to save the loved one is by destroying or killing the impostor.

MIXED DELUSIONS

Delusions characterized by two or more types of delusions acting in concert. Someone may express paranoid ideation that others are conspiring against them because they are jealous of their special talents or abilities, reflecting their delusions of grandeur.