There are various forms or types of delusions with unique features that reveal a dysfunction or break from reality. Delusions are essentially false beliefs that may continue regardless of the reality.
Delusions can be widely observed in variety of disorders and can alter an individual’s ability to perceive reality, causing stress and affecting their everyday routines.
What are delusions?
Delusions can be understood as fixed or false beliefs that are not in line with the person’s ethnic or religious background and continue to exist without any logical understanding. These false beliefs are not rooted in reality and are often resistant to any change.
Delusions are perceived as a sign of disorders like schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder or delusional disorder. They’re also commonly seen in individuals dealing with mood disorders, psychotic disorders, substance use and personality disorders.
A person’s genetic framework and personality traits can make them more susceptible to psychotic symptoms, which includes delusions. Childhood trauma has also been observed to be a potential cause for delusional thinking in some.
Different types of delusions: Exploration in detail
While the types of delusions can manifest differently in each individual, it’s important to note their characteristic feature.
Let us look at the different types of delusions and also shed some light on their individual characteristics:
1) Paranoid delusion
This delusion is a common type, where individuals are suspicious about every other action or experience that occurs around them. They may report being followed, stalked or being monitored by a third party.
2) Grandiose delusion
Individuals with this delusion have an exaggerated sense of their self. It may be characterized by a strong conviction of great talent, discovery, inflated self-worth, power, knowledge or relationship with someone famous or deity.
This is the most easily recognized delusions, as the individual may proclaim a direction connection with God or aliens or may even make imaginary relationships with famous personalities.
3) Erotomanic delusion
In this type of delusion, you may fall in love and believe that the other person also loves you back. What is atypical, you might ask?
It’s that the latter person is possibly a movie star like Tom Cruise, and you’re convinced that he’s in love with you. Despite clear evidence to the contrary, a person with this delusions is sure of the ‘potential’ connection.
For instance, if Cruise expresses love towards the audience, a person with erotomaniac delusion may believe that that message is for them.
4) Somatic delusion
Somatic delusions are different from somatoform disorder. Remember that all delusions begin in the mind, and they may not necessarily manifest physically.
In somatoform disorders, there’re no false fixed beliefs but rather physical symptoms that manifest in the body.
5) Nihilistic delusion
These type of delusions are characterised by a sense of doom and that everything is coming to an end. They’re generally catastrophic in nature and can make the person withdraw from social situations.
6) Religious delusion
This type of delusion is carefully examined, keeping in mind a person’s cultural and religious beliefs.
Individuals with this delusion amy feel that they have spiritual or divine powers or have been sent to earth to carry forward a divine task.
7) Jealous delusion
This type of delusion can lead to persistent difficulties in a relationship. That may even lead to the individual with delusion to take significant steps, like setting up cameras or stalking their partner. The jealousy is based on speculations and not reality.
Difference between hallucination and delusion
The two conditions can be easily confused. Both are signs of psychosis and suggest a diversion from reality.
Individuals can be diagnosed with both conditions at the same time. Although, both involve a false reality, a hallucination can be understood as a dysfunction of perception, while a delusion is a dysfunction of belief system.
For example, hallucinations can present itself as seeing a person who does not exist or hearing someone conversing when no one’s around. Meanwhile, delusions for instance, can present itself as a person thinking that they’re a global personality when they’re not.
Knowing the different types of delusions is important for recognising and giving necessary care to people going through these conditions.
Different types of delusions can influence an individual’s well-being and everyday functioning. Being willing to seek professional help from a mental health expert is paramount.
With support and care, people with this condition can be empowered to cope with the signs and enhance their life. Keep in mind that these types of delusions can be treated, and with the necessary involvement of a therapist, people can take control of a better perception of reality and take charge of their life.
Janvi Kapur is a counselor with a Master’s degree in applied psychology with a specialization in clinical psychology.
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