Delusion
Delusion
Delusion (/dɪˈluːʒən/; from Latin deludere "to deceive") is a fixed belief that is not amenable to change in light of conflicting evidence. As a pathology, it is distinct from a belief based on false or incomplete information, confabulation, dogma, illusion, or some other misleading effects of perception.
Definition
Delusions are categorized into four different groups: Bizarre delusion, Non-bizarre delusion, Mood-congruent delusion, and Mood-neutral delusion. They are defined by their degree of plausibility, or the extent to which they are or are not consistent with reality.
Types
- Bizarre delusion: This type of delusion is very strange and completely implausible; an example of a bizarre delusion could be the belief that aliens have removed the affected person's brain.
- Non-bizarre delusion: This type of delusion, while false, is at least possible, such as the affected person mistakenly believing that they are under constant police surveillance.
- Mood-congruent delusion: This type of delusion refers to content that is consistent with either a depressive or manic state. For example, a depressed person may believe that news anchors on television highly disapprove of them, or a person in a manic state might believe they are a powerful deity.
- Mood-neutral delusion: This type of delusion does not relate to the sufferer's emotional state; in other words, their delusions may involve situations that are unrelated to their mood, such as a belief that an extra limb is growing out of the back of one's head.
Causes
Delusions can be caused by a number of factors, including brain damage and mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder. They can also be caused by a variety of medical conditions, including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and Huntington's disease.
Treatment
Treatment for delusions involves psychotherapy and medication. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is often used to help a person recognize and change thought patterns that lead to delusion. Antipsychotic medications are also used to treat delusions.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Delusion
- Wikipedia's article - Delusion
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