Delusional disorder is a severe mental disorder that develops false beliefs and never goes away after being proved wrong. The patients tend to go through the most intense torture as they attempt to understand the reasons why their beliefs are not shared by other people. Also Read: Top 4 Causes of Mental Illness
Though this disorder may not be viewed as common, it has severe effects on both the individual and those surrounding him. Here in this blog, we discuss the symptoms of delusional disorder, the delusional disorder types, the causes of delusional disorder, and the treatment of delusional disorder. With delusional disorder knowledge in hand, the symptoms can be identified and help sought. Also Read: An Overview Of The Different Types Of Mental Disorders
What is Delusional Disorder?
To get a complete understanding of what delusional disorder is, it is necessary to define what it actually is. Delusional disorder is the emergence of one or more delusions that may drastically change the way an individual sees the world. These delusions are non-realistic beliefs that are usually adamant regardless of evidence to the contrary.The example of a person imagining that they are being followed, has some extraordinary power, or is being persecuted may be given even when there is no objective evidence to prove any of these statements. Delusional disorder usually lives an everyday life, except for the delusion. Also Read: Major Differences Between Hallucination And Delusion
They may excel in certain aspects of their daily life, but can become extremely obsessive with false beliefs. The delusional disorder symptoms may be mild or severe, and the severity level of the delusion may at times lead to distress or overburden the sufferer with social work, or relationship difficulties.
Types of Delusional Disorder
Delusional disorders are of different types, which are categorized by the kind of delusions an individual is experiencing. These types of delusional disorder require varied treatment approaches, which is the reason behind the need to comprehend the ways to screen them. So, let us check out the key categorization of the types:Persecutory Delusion
Here are the everyday types of delusional disorder. Users of persecutory delusions feel that they are being persecuted or that they are the subject of a conspiracy. Perhaps this leads to scenarios in which people think of their counterparts as wishing their demise, or of case scenarios where the government keeps surveillance on every move they make. Such belief systems can also be dangerously isolating, because people tend to be already overly suspicious and fearful of one another.Grandiose Delusion
Individuals suffering from this kind of delusional disorder have an exaggerated sense of knowledge, power, worth, and identity. They often believe they are having the best talent or have an essential discovery to make.Erotomanic Delusion
In this form of delusional disorder, victims think that someone, usually a celebrity, is in love with them. The person can also stalk others or make efforts to contact the individual they believe is in love with them. Erotomanic delusion may cause serious interpersonal problems and even conflict with the law.Somatic Delusion
Persons experiencing somatic delusion feel that they have some physical disease or defect, which medical tests confirm is not true. A good example of this phenomenon is when a person experiences the sensation that their body is exuding an unusual odour, or even comes to the conclusion that they are being overrun by parasites. These delusions can be very distressing and can also result in a high number of visits to the doctor.Mixed Delusion
Mixed delusion is a mixture of more than one form of delusion. The individual can conceive of aspects of grandiosity, persecution, and erotomania simultaneously, making the diagnosis and treatment process even more difficult.Persistent Delusional Disorder
Persistent delusional disorder is a condition where the individual affected develops delusions across a long period of time, say months or years. In contrast to the delusional disorder symptoms that can be intermittent, persistent delusional disorder is the pattern of long-term delusions that cannot easily be altered. The fact that this disorder is not limited to a specific time may make the person unable to seek or respond to help because of the entrenchment of his beliefs.People in the case of persistent delusional disorder might become so absorbed with the delusions that they become more difficult to change. These long-term delusions may cause even more isolation and suffering as time goes on because individuals will not be able to sustain any relationships or even do their daily tasks.
Causes of Delusional Disorder
It is not known exactly what the etiology of the delusional disorder but scholars have been able to identify a number of possible factors that lead to the disorder. These are hereditary factors, mental factors, and life factors. Among the factors associated with delusional disorder, there are the following:Genetics
Delusional disorder may have some genetic component. They also have an increased risk of getting the condition because of their family members who have been diagnosed with the condition. The development of the disorder may involve mutations and alterations in the chemistry of the brain.Brain Abnormalities
It can be partially supported that brain anomalies, namely the abnormalities of the perception and reality testing spheres, can be involved in the development of delusional beliefs. Neurotransmitter levels, such as dopamine, have been associated with mental diseases, including delusional disorder.Psychological Factors
Delusions of reference psychological causes include high levels of stress, trauma, a tendency toward anxiety and depression, and psychological conditions predisposing to delusional disorder, as well as being infected with a retrovirus. There are also people with particular personality traits that can increase their susceptibility to the disorder, such as paranoia or extreme levels of suspiciousness. Also Read: Clinical Depression: Symptoms, Causes & DiagnosisEnvironmental Factors
Environmental factors that contribute to the increased risk of the development of delusional disorder include long-term social isolation, lack of support, or living in a very high-stress environment. The development of delusions can appear after some stressful situation, such as a breakup, financial problems, or a traumatic event.Delusional Disorder Symptoms
To identify and treat delusional disorder early, it is essential to understand the symptoms of this illness. The delusional disorder symptoms are:Fixed False Beliefs
Delusional disorder manifests itself through the hallmark symptom: false beliefs that are persistent despite evidence to the contrary. They can be paranoid, grandiose, somatic, or erotomanic, depending on what the person experiences.Impaired Reality Testing
Delusional disorder victims fail to realize that their beliefs are false even when evidence indicates the opposite. This disturbed reality testing may cause the person to be unable to realize that their delusions are unreasonable.Emotional Distress
The symptoms of delusion disorder can be very emotionally distressing. Their delusions can make people anxious, depressed, or angry. It can be supported by the fact that their beliefs lead to social isolation, relationship issues, or work-related issues. Also Read: Anxiety Disorder - Its Types, Causes, Symptoms & TreatmentSocial/Occupational Imprisonment
Delusional disorder may cause problems with relationships or employment. This can be a serious area of friction both in personal and work life, as the delusions cannot be learnt, or identified with by other people.Behavioral Changes
In other instances, people may do things that directly relate to their delusions. Coincidentally, a person, having persecutory delusions, can develop avoidance, e.g., by staying at home, and may also create the process of defending herself against perceived attacks.Delusional Disorder Treatment
To understand delusional disorder treatment, given the characteristics, the symptoms can be controlled, and people can have a more stable life. Delusional disorder can be treated in several ways:Psychotherapy
Treatment of delusional disorder is through psychotherapy and cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT). It assists one in searching and facing irrational thoughts, which are one of the factors that lead to the capacity to abandon illusion and reality. This is the process of treatment that allows the patient to rethink and control his emotions.In addition, the CBT treatment is assigned to get rid of emotional distress that typically occurs concomitantly with the symptoms of delusional disorder, such as anxiety and depression. It is possible to help patients cope with distress by improving their coping skills and improving their overall mental well-being.
Medication
Antipsychotics are essential in the delusional disorder treatment. They mediate the neurotransmitters like dopamine that are involved in the development of delusions. The drugs help in overriding the hallucinations and in enhancing memory.Besides reducing the effects of delusional disorder, medication is also able to stabilize mood and ease the effects of psychotherapy. The time needed to get the appropriate medicines is compensated by the fact that it allows a combination with therapy as a holistic approach to the problem that could help a person to regulate the condition and lead a better life. Also Read: How To Understand And Manage Your Mood Disorders
Supportive Care
Delusion is one such condition that is to be managed with supportive care. It means the emotional and practical assistance of the mental health care workers, relatives, and friends. Networking enables individuals to find the treatment and willpower to get their way back.Family members will help in reducing the isolation that usually accompanies the delusional disorder. Mental health professionals offer particular pieces of advice that allow a patient to build coping strategies and go through a treatment plan to become sustainable and ensure future progress.
Hospitalization
Severe cases of delusional disorder may require hospitalization to stay safe. Hospitalization provides a safe environment where the individual can be carefully attended to and monitored when they are dangerous to themselves or others. This stabilizes the person's situation.After stabilizing the individual, the person can be hospitalized so that progressive evaluation and modification of treatment can be performed. They can then be referred to outpatient care, where medical personnel and family can assist them with additional treatment to prevent recurrence.
Community Support
Community care has great advantages for delusional disorder patients. The forums and peer groups offered online make people feel belonging as they are able to connect with other people who share such challenges and learn to cope with them.This support minimizes the stigma of delusional disorder and helps encourage people to seek treatment. Community support enables individuals not to give up in the recovery and makes them feel connected and strong emotionally due to mutual understanding and experience.
Conclusion
Delusional disorder is a complex psycho-pathological disorder that must be properly examined and treated. The knowledge of the symptoms and various types of delusional disorder, and the causes of delusional disorder, can equip a person to recognize the disorder at an early age and receive proper treatment.Naturally, with adequate access to interventions, including treatment of delusional disorder, which can involve psychotherapy and medication, individuals can defeat delusions and live a normal life. The condition and general well-being should be supported by the family, friends, and psychologists.
