Table of contents:
- What is delusional disorder
- Symptoms of delusional disorder according to DSM V
- Treatment of delusional disorder
- How to deal with a person with delusions
The world of the mind and thought is complex at best and, without realizing it, it can play tricks on us. For example, I am sure that in some cases you have had the feeling of being observed or have believed that someone had something against you. However, most likely, there were real reasons that led you to such conclusions.
But, in our society, there are a series of people who suffer what is known as delusional disorder and, without being able to avoid it, have beliefs in their minds that to the rest of us can come to seem the most irrational and absurd.
For this reason, in Psychology-Online, we want to present you the characteristics, symptoms and treatment of delusional disorder and how you can help those who have it, in order to improve their lifestyle.
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- Symptoms of delusional disorder according to DSM V
- Treatment of delusional disorder
- How to deal with a person with delusions
What is delusional disorder
The DSM-IV-TR defines delusion as false belief based on an incorrect inference relative to external reality that is held despite what almost everyone believes and despite what constitutes obvious proof to the contrary. The belief is not accepted by other members of the culture. It is only considered a delusional idea when the judgment is so extreme that it defies all credibility.
This disorder has quite specific characteristics:
- The balance between the evidence for and against is such that others consider it incredible.
- The belief is not shared by others.
- The belief is firmly held.
- The person is preoccupied with belief.
- The belief is a source of subjective discomfort or interferes with social functioning.
- The person does not resist the belief.
In the following article you will find the types of delusions and their characteristics.
Symptoms of delusional disorder according to DSM V
According to the DSM-V, to be diagnosed with a delusional disorder, the person must meet a series of criteria.
- A. Presence of one (or more) delusions lasting a month or more.
- B. Criterion A for schizophrenia has never been met. Hallucinations, if present, are unimportant and related to the delusional theme (eg, the sensation of being infested by insects associated with delusions of infestation)
- C. Apart from the impact of the delirium or its ramifications, the functioning is not greatly altered and the behavior is not manifestly extravagant or strange.
- D. If major depressive or manic episodes have occurred, they have been brief compared to the duration of the delusional periods.
- E. The disorder cannot be attributed to the physiological effects of a substance or another medical condition and is not better explained by another mental disorder, such as body dysmorphic or obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Delusional disorder can be of different types:
- Erotomaniac: the central theme is that another person is in love with the person presenting the delusion.
- Greatness: conviction on the part of the patient of having certain talent or knowledge or of having made some important discovery.
- Celotypical: the individual is convinced that his spouse or lover is unfaithful. Learn about the symptoms, causes and treatment of celotype here.
- Persecutory: the individual believes that they are conspiring against him, that he is deceived, spied on, followed, drugged or poisoned.
- Somatic: the central theme involves bodily functions or sensations.
- Mixed: no type of delirium predominates.
Outside of the moments in which the delusion is present, the person will behave in a normal way to the rest of society, so they do not usually exhibit strange behaviors unless they are focusing their attention on the delusion.
Treatment of delusional disorder
First of all, it should be noted that for the treatment of this disorder the presence of a professional is completely necessary, since in many cases a series of medications is required to control hallucinations and delusions. Some of the medications that are used are antipsychotics, antidepressants and emotional stabilizers.
At the same time, in parallel, there are a series of psychological treatments, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, which will help the patient to alleviate the symptoms and to think more clearly.
As a result of the large number of delusions that can lead to this disorder, there is no basic treatment since there is not enough empirical evidence to prove the efficacy of the different treatments used.
How to deal with a person with delusions
Next, I want to present a series of guidelines which can help you to deal with people with delusional disorders:
- It is counterproductive to deny your perceptions, but with a calm tone you can move your attention to other topics of interest to you.
- We must not lose calm or follow the ideation that the person poses to us.
- You have to pay attention and listen to them, so that in this way they feel cared for and understood.
- Let them know that we are going to help them with their problem.
- Identify the type of delusion that the person suffers and shows empathy towards it, because in many cases the beliefs that these people have are very negative and distressing.
This article is merely informative, in Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
If you want to read more articles similar to Delusional disorder: what it is, DSM V symptoms, treatment and how to act, we recommend that you enter our category of Clinical Psychology.
Bibliography- AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION (APA). (2002). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-V. Barcelona: Masson.
- Villa, E. Psychopathology. Jaume I. University 2016.
- Yust, CC, Garcelán, SP, & López, MJM (2003). Cognitive-behavioral treatment of a patient diagnosed with delusional disorder. Psicothema , 15 (1), 120-126.