Delusional Disorder

DisclaimerThis page is not here to be used as a self-diagnosis, self-identification, or promotion - it's simply here to be informational. Whether or not one self-diagnoses, self-identifies, and/or seeks a professional diagnosis is up to them.UnrealityThe following page includes discussions of unreality, including delusions, hallucinations, derealization, and depersonalization. If you are uncomfortable or get triggered by this topic, it is recommended to not read this page.

**Delusional Disorder**, previously called **Paranoid Disorder**, is when an individual can't tell what is real from what is imagined. The false beliefs may be ordinary things that could occur or things unlikely to occur. The difference between delusion and a simple false or mistaken belief is that individuals continue to believe in a delusion no matter the amount of evidence that contradicts it.

Delusional disorder may develop from a preexisting paranoid personality disorder.

## Types of Delusions

The types of delusions are based on the main theme of the delusion:

### Erotomanic

Erotomanic delusions are when the individual believes someone is in love with them and might try to contact that individual. Often it's someone important or famous. This can lead to stalking behavior.

### Grandiose

Grandiose delusions are when the individual has an over-inflated sense of worth, power, knowledge, or identity. They could believe they have a great talent or made an important discovery.

### Jealous

Jealous delusions are when the individual believes their partner is unfaithful.

### Persecutory

Persecutory delusions are when someone believes they or someone close to them is being mistreated, or that someone is spying on them or planning to harm them. They might make repeated complaints to legal authorities.

### Somatic

Somatic delusions are when they believe they have a physical defect or medical problem. This can possibly be related to somatic symptom disorder.

### Bizarre

Bizarre delusions are delusions involving a phenomenon that is impossible, not understandable, and unrelated to normal life.

### Thought Broadcasting

Thought broadcasting delusions are delusions that one's thoughts are projected and perceived by others.

### Thought Insertion

Thought insertion delusions are the delusions that one's thoughts are not one's own but inserted into their mind by an external source or entity.

### Mixed

Mixed delusions means having two or more of the types of delusions.

## Signs & Symptoms

Early symptoms of delusional disorder may include:

* Feeling exploited.
* Being preoccupied with the loyalty or trustworthiness of friends.
* Reading threatening meanings into benign remarks or events.
* Bearing grudges for a long time.
* Responding readily to perceived slights.

The behavior is not obviously bizarre or odd. Individuals with delusion disorder tend to function relatively well, except when their specific delusions cause problems.

## References

https://www.webmd.com/schizophrenia/guide/delusional-disorder

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9599-delusional-disorder

Joseph SM, Siddiqui W. Delusional Disorder. [Updated 2022 Jul 20]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539855/

https://www.msdmanuals.com/en-gb/home/mental-health-disorders/schizophrenia-and-related-disorders/delusional-disorder