What are delusions?

Causes and Symptoms

Clinical delusion is defined as the presence of one or more nonbizarre false beliefs, persisting for a period of at least one month. To avoid confusion, delusions are not typically linked to the direct physiological effects of a substance or a general medical condition. Whether a false belief can be classified as nonbizarre may be difficult to determine. Usually “nonbizarre” refers to situations that could occur in real life; “bizarre” refers to situations that could not occur in real life.

Life management with delusions varies. Some individuals may appear relatively unimpaired in their interpersonal and occupational roles. In others, life-management issues may be so severe that isolation and withdrawal are common results. In general, however, life-management functions are more likely to be adversely affected than cognitive or vocational activities.

Treatment and Therapy

Options for treatment and therapy vary depending on the severity of the delusions, the degrading effects on life-management issues, and the theoretical orientation of the mental-health professional consulted. A thorough evaluation should begin the process. Clinical interviews should be combined with appropriate psychological testing and corroborative data collection. Therapy may be in the form of pharmacological therapy or talk therapies, either in individual or group sessions, and may take place on an inpatient or outpatient basis. Delusions tend to wax and wane in intensity and degrees of severity. Maintaining good general physical health is an important part of managing delusions. Maintenance of neurochemical systems, especially neurotransmitters, with vitamin-B complex foods is an important consideration. Caregivers of persons suffering from delusions should avoid arguing with the patient about their deluded beliefs and should reassure the patient if he or she is scared.

Perspective and Prospects

Delusions in and of themselves may not prevent successful life-management functioning in most individuals. When the delusion represents a life-management issue as a result of a loss of contact with reality, intervention and treatment are in the patient’s best interest. Although popular media and common myths suggest otherwise, individuals with delusions are no more dangerous or aggressive than the general population. While they may be the targets of ridicule, challenge, and harassment, individuals with delusions may also reorient successfully with appropriate intervention.

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