Journal of Psychology & Psychotherapy
Open Access

Types and Symptoms of Delusional Disorder

Zelalem Manuel^{* *}Correspondence: Zelalem Manuel, Department of Psychology, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland, Email:

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Description

A delusion is a belief based on an incorrect interpretation of reality despite clear evidence to the contrary. Delusional disorder differs from schizophrenia in the presence of delusions which does not have any other symptoms of psychosis. Delusional disorder is a type of mental illness that makes it difficult for a person to distinguish between reality and imagination. There are various types, such as the persecution type, the jealous type, and the magnificent type. Delusional disorder was formerly known as paranoid disorder, which is a serious form of mental illness which is now known as “psychosis”. Its main symptom is the presence of one or more delusions. This means that the patient experiences unshakable beliefs about things that are not true. Non-bizarre delusions which involve actual events like being watched, harmed, deceived, and plots against them are experienced by the people with delusional disorders. These incidents might not always be real, though. Usually, these delusions include misinterpreting views or experiences. However, the incidents are either entirely fictional or completely made up in reality. People with this disease are unable to distinguish between their imagination and reality, in such circumstances medical assistance is necessary. People with delusional condition also are able to socialize and work quite normally. They typically act normally, aside from the issue of their delusion. This differs with those who have delusions as a sign of other psychotic disorders.

Types of delusion

Erotomanic: Patients who suffer from this type of delusional condition think that someone who is prominent or famous are interested in them. They may make an effort to get in touch with them, which could result in stalking behaviour.

Grandiose: People who suffer from this kind of delusion disease tend to overestimate their value, influence, identity, or expertise, which makes them think they are exceptionally talented or have made a significant discovery.

Jealous: In this case, the patient suspects their spouse or partner of being unfaithful. Persecutory: Patients with this form of condition feel that they or their close one is being mistreated, being watched, or that someone is trying to harm them. They may file many complaints with the appropriate authorities.

Somatic: Patients who suffer from this kind of delusion condition think that they suffer from a physical or mental issue.

Mixed: People who have this kind of delusion condition may have two or more of the above mentioned types of delusions.

Symptoms

The most obvious sign of this condition is the existence of nonbizarre delusions. Other symptoms which might develop include negative symptoms, hallucinations that are unrelated to the delusion, anger, impatience, or bad mood, as well as unorganized speech or behaviour. A paranoid personality condition that already exists may give rise to delusional disorder. Such people have a feeling of, pervasive mistrust and suspicion of other people and their motives which starts in early adulthood and remains for lifelong. Early signs may include a sense of being taken advantage of, concern over loyalty or trust of friend’s, a tendency to see danger in seemingly harmless comments or situations, a persistent grudge, and a readiness to react to perceived slights. The delusions could be of nonbizarre: They include situations like being watched, harmed, infected, loved from afar, or deceived by a partner. Bizarre: They deal with impossible circumstances, like thinking that someone removed their internal organs without leaving a scar.

Delusional disorder is diagnosed when a person experiences one or more non-bizarre delusional ideas for a period of one month or more and these thoughts cannot be accounted by any other condition.