Delusional Disorder

Mental Health Awareness Month

May 2017

Good Morning everyone ~  If you were here for our last Blog Session, then you have your Journal in hand, and you have all of your notes from our last discussion about Paranoia and Delusional Disorders.

Before we get into the topics of Schizophrenia and Psychosis, we are going to go over the topic of Delusional Disorder due to the number of requests received for further information.

Delusional Disorder is one of the category of psychotic disorders.  Not surprisingly, it is marked by the prevalence of delusions.  Delusions may be non-bizarre or bizarre. Delusions in general are persistent, unyielding beliefs that are not true.  These beliefs must persist for more than a month to be considered delusional, and must not be attributable to another disorder such as Schizophrenia, symptoms of which include delusions.  Beliefs must also not be attributable to substance use.  Persons with Delusional Disorder may function fairly well in society, hold a job, etc. Treatment includes medication and psychotherapy.

Non-bizarre delusions are false, persisting beliefs that while in some cases may be possible, are not true.  A common example would be that their significant other is cheating. While possible, to meet the criteria, the individual would have investigated, and repeatedly rechecked the possibility, found it to be untrue, yet persist in the belief.  A belief that he/she has a serious health condition that has been definitively ruled out is another common example.

Bizarre delusions are, again not surprisingly, beyond the realm of possibility in the eyes of the vast majority.  One example of a bizarre delusion cited in “Psych Central” is that a stranger has removed all their internal organs, closing the wound without leaving a scar.

Delusions may also be categorized based on the nature of the belief.  Likely the more well-known delusions include those of grandeur, in which the person believes themselves to be of grossly inflated power, notoriety, etc. (royalty, for example) as well as those of persecution in which the person believes that someone or some group is plotting against them.  Other types include somatic delusions, in which he or she would focus on a health issue as described above.  Erotomanic delusions, he/she believes someone of higher social status to be in love with them.  The example above regarding the cheating lover is a jealous type of delusion.  There are also mixed types (combination of types) and unspecified.

Relevance to National Paranormal Society is transparent.  A person who lives with Delusional Disorder truly believes their delusion.  If this belief is that they are being persecuted by a spirit for example, it is extremely difficult to convince this person, despite a lack of evidence, that this is not happening to them.  In one particular case, the client continues to request re-investigation by an Investigator despite having done so numerous times with no findings.

A person may claim that they were abducted by aliens and used for experimentation.  To a growing number of people, this is in the realm of possibility.  In these cases, it may be necessary to gain as much knowledge of the client as possible before drawing any conclusions.

Lets take a look at four types of Delusions . . .

The reason why we are going back over Delusional Disorders is because a person who is delusional (grandeur type) must be diagnosed properly to rule out possible Schizophrenia.

What is Schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that usually appears in late adolescence or early adulthood.  Characterized by delusions, hallucinations, and other cognitive difficulties, schizophrenia can often be a lifelong struggle.

(March 24, 2017)

Below are the different types of schizophrenia and their characteristics.

• Paranoid Schizophrenia
• Disorganized Schizophrenia
• Catatonic Schizophrenia
• Residual Schizophrenia
• Schizoaffective Disorder
• Depression Symptoms
• Bipolar Disorder Symptoms
• Undifferentiated Schizophrenia

Behaviors that are early warning signs of schizophrenia include:

• Hearing or seeing something that isn’t there
• A constant feeling of being watched
• Peculiar or nonsensical way of speaking or writing
• Strange body positioning
• Feeling indifferent to very important situations
• Deterioration of academic or work performance
• A change in personal hygiene and appearance
• A change in personality
• Increasing withdrawal from social situations
• Irrational, angry or fearful response to loved ones
• Inability to sleep or concentrate
• Inappropriate or bizarre behavior
• Extreme preoccupation with religion or the occult

PLEASE NOTE:  Anyone who experiences several of these symptoms for more than two weeks should seek help immediately.

Please make sure that you have your Journal out to take notes on all of the above mental health concerns, including both Delusional Disorders and Schizophrenia.

~ Be sure to take Notes ~

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NEXT BLOG SESSION:

More on Schizophrenia

Discussion about Psychosis

We'll see you back here for our next exciting Blog Session about mental health, and don't forget to bring your Journal along ~

Peace, Love & Light,

 René

©Copyright - René Allen - MAY 2017 - All Rights Reserved