An Exploration of Delusions

What is a Delusion?

At Barn Life Recovery, we treat individuals with a wide range of mental illnesses through our mental health services. One type is delusional disorder. Though delusional disorder is generally rare on its own, it can often be a symptom of certain types of substance abuse. This brings us to the question, “What is a delusion?” 

A delusion is a conviction to a belief which can persist in the presence of irrefutable evidence to the contrary. For example, it can manifest as a defense mechanism in order to cope with intense and uncomfortable situations. In fact, a delusion may protect an individual from harm initially, such as delusional thinking in an abusive relationship. 

Unfortunately, it will also support and maintain the maladaptive behavior. An individual can create delusions to maintain substance use without facing the responsibility imposed by negative consequences. Delusions can maintain dysfunctional family homeostasis in addition to manifesting and exacerbating codependency.

 

Types of Delusions

There are several subtypes of delusional disorders and some of these include:

Persecutory Delusions

According to the DSM-IV-TR, these are the most common form of delusions in schizophrenia, where the person believes they are “being tormented, followed, sabotaged, tricked, spied on, or ridiculed.”

Paranoid Delusion 

This is the fixed, false belief that one is being harmed or persecuted by a particular person or group of people. Paranoid delusions are known technically as a “persecutory delusion.”

Delusional Jealousy

This usually develops due to a fear that a spouse or partner is being unfaithful. While these doubts are baseless, they can cause severe damage to the relationship. The sufferer usually goes to great lengths to try and find evidence of their partner’s alleged “affairs” and may also resort to a third party such as a private detective to find such evidence. 

Studies show that this form of delusion is more common in men than in women. Morbid jealousy and pathological jealousy are also common names for this.

Erotomania or Delusion of Love

In this type, the patient is often firmly convinced that a person he or she is fixated upon is in love with them. This obsession leads to stalking, unnatural jealousy and rage when the object of their affection is seen with their spouse or partners. 

Additionally, erotomanic delusions often concern a famous person or someone who is in a superior status and usually there is no contact between the patient and the victim, who has never encouraged the patient. De Clerambault’s Syndrome is another name for erotomanic delusional disorder.

Somatic Delusions

In this disorder, a person believes wholeheartedly that something is wrong with them. This type of delusion may often lead to multiple consultations with physicians, surgical procedures, depression and even suicide. Some individuals may also develop tactile hallucinations and feel the sensation of insects or parasites crawling over their skin. Professionals call this monosymptomatic hypochondriacal psychosis and it forms part of somatic delusional disorder.

Induced Delusional Disorder or Folie à Deux

This is a rare disorder where two people, who are usually in a close relationship, completely isolate themselves from others physically and culturally and share the same delusional system of grandeur or persecution. 

For example, one of the partners may be the dominant personality who influences the weaker personality into adopting the delusion, in which case the psychotic disorder mainly affects the dominant person with the other rapidly recovering once they separate from the primary. 

Delusions of Grandeur 

For example, someone suffering from delusion may believes they will be the leader of the world despite having no leadership experience and difficulties in interpersonal relationships. Persistence characterizes delusions of grandeur. They are not just moments of fantasy or hopes for the future. It is important to differentiate between delusions of grandeur and simple hopes for the future.

Symptoms of Delusion of Grandeur

The incubations of grandiose delusions vary greatly in their content, but they are similar to one another in that they involve the persistent belief in one’s own grandiosity. 

Here are a few common examples of delusions of grandeur:

• The belief that one has a special relationship with a supernatural entity. Cult leaders, for example, might believe they can communicate with a god or that they are a manifestation of a god on earth.
• The belief that one has a special relationship with a famous person or authority figure, such as the president.
• The belief that one has a unique destiny. These destinies often involve power, fame, fortune, or supernatural concepts.

How to Respond to Delusions

We must empathize with those that have manifested delusions as a way to cope. We must also assist clients with raising awareness about those delusions and discovering how they maintained unhealthy behaviors. Let us empower clients to break these chains and develop the courage to make decisions from truth and integrity.

Barn Life Recovery helps people with delusional disorders through our mental health services. We pride ourselves on our ability to help people love life again. Check out our events to find out how you can become involved with our community.