Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDefinitionTypesPersecutory DelusionsErotomanic DelusionsGrandiose DelusionsJealous DelusionsSomatic DelusionsMixed or Unspecified DelusionsThemes
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Definition
Types
Persecutory Delusions
Erotomanic Delusions
Grandiose Delusions
Jealous Delusions
Somatic Delusions
Mixed or Unspecified Delusions
Themes
Delusionsare a false belief about something that is not true or not real. However, people with delusions believe they are true even when presented with evidence to the contrary.Delusions are often a sign of an underlying mental health disorder, such asschizophrenia,bipolar disorder,dementia, or delusional disorder.
This article discusses different types of delusions, as well as common themes of delusions.
Delusion vs Self-DeceptionHaving a delusion is different than having self-deception—incorrect feelings, ideas, or situations that a person might believe due to a personal bias. Delusions interfere with a person’s day-to-day function.
Delusion vs Self-Deception
Having a delusion is different than having self-deception—incorrect feelings, ideas, or situations that a person might believe due to a personal bias. Delusions interfere with a person’s day-to-day function.
PeopleImages / Getty Images
What Is Delusional Disorder?
What Causes Delusional Disorder?
Delusional disorder is a rare condition and difficult to study. The cause is unknown, but some studies suggest that people develop delusions as a way to manage extreme stress or deal with a history of trauma.
Genetics may also contribute to the development of a delusional disorder. Individuals are more likely to be diagnosed with delusional disorder if they have family members with schizophrenia or schizotypal personality disorder.
An imbalance of chemicals or abnormalities in the brain can also play a part in delusions.
Does the Person Know They Are Experiencing a Delusion?People with delusional disorder do not believe they are experiencing a delusion. They are not able to accept that their delusion is irrational or inaccurate, no matter how much clear evidence contradicts it.
Does the Person Know They Are Experiencing a Delusion?
People with delusional disorder do not believe they are experiencing a delusion. They are not able to accept that their delusion is irrational or inaccurate, no matter how much clear evidence contradicts it.
Types of Delusions
Delusions can be based on events that could actually happen in real life, or they might be considered “bizarre”—the belief is not grounded in reality.
Types of delusions include persecutory,erotomanic, grandiose, jealous, somatic, and mixed/unspecific.
What AreHallucinations?Hallucinationsoften occur with delusions. These can be visual (seeing things that aren’t there) or auditory (hearing voices).
What AreHallucinations?
Hallucinationsoften occur with delusions. These can be visual (seeing things that aren’t there) or auditory (hearing voices).
Persecutory delusions are the most common type of delusion.This type causes a person to believe that someone or something is “out to get them.” This can include another person, a machine, or an entire institution or organization.
Persecutory delusions are considered to be an extreme form ofparanoia. Other symptoms that often occur with persecutory delusions include:
Erotomanic delusions cause a person to believe (falsely) that another person(s) is in love with them. The person who is the target of erotomanic delusions is usually of “higher status” than the person with the delusions, and the targets are often celebrities.
People with erotomanic delusions often believe that their “crush” is sending secret messages to them. These delusions can lead to stalking behaviors, which can be “in person” or virtually—such as through social media.
People who have grandiose delusions believe that they are superior to other people. These beliefs can give a person a sense of belonging and self-worth.
Grandiose delusions are common—affecting about two-thirds of people with bipolar disorder and half of people with schizophrenia.
Examples of grandiose delusions include:
Grandiose delusions can lead to risky or dangerous behaviors.
Jealous delusions cause a person to believe that their partner is unfaithful and constantly look for evidence that their belief is true. This is different from the typical jealousy that many people experience.
Jealous delusions often cause extreme behaviors, such as searching bedding, underwear, and even their partner’s body for evidence of infidelity.People with these delusions also frequently misinterpret their partner’s behavior.
Somatic delusions are focused on the physical body. A person with somatic delusions falsely believes that something is wrong with their body.
These delusions can be about illnesses or conditions that occur in real life, such as having cancer or being pregnant, or bizarre occurances—things like bones twisting around each other, missing internal organs, or veins running in the wrong direction.
People with somatic delusions often undergo many different types of medical testing but still believe there is something wrong with them despite normal test results.
What Is Illness Anxiety Disorder?
A person can also have delusions that are categorized as “mixed” or “unspecified.”
Mixed delusions means that the person has multiple types of delusions, but none are more common than another. Unspecified delusions don’t clearly fit into a specific category.
Delusions can also be categorized based on their underlying theme, including:
Summary
A delusion is a fixed, false belief in something that is not real or does not exist and is held despite evidence to the contrary. Delusions are common with mental health diagnoses, but can also occur with medical conditions such as brain injury. Types of delusions include persecutory, erotomanic, grandiose, jealous, somatic, mixed, and unspecified.
Delusions often revolve around a specific theme, such as love, guilt, religion, or infidelity.
Insurance and Mental Health Coverage
14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Stanford University.Delusion.
Lancellotta E, Bortolotti L.Are clinical delusions adaptive?.Wiley Interdiscip Rev Cogn Sci. 2019;10(5):e1502. doi:10.1002%2Fwcs.1502
Ahmed S, Venigalla H, Mekala HM, et al.Traumatic Brain Injury and Neuropsychiatric Complications. Indian J Psychol Med. 2017 Mar-Apr;39(2):114-121. doi: 10.4103/0253-7176.203129
Stankewicz HA, Richards JR, Salen P.Alcohol Related Psychosis. [Updated 2023 Jul 10]. In: StatPearls [Internet].
Merck Manual.Delusional disorder.
Psychology Today.Delusional disorder.
Harvard Health Publishing.Delusional disorder.
Joseph SM, Siddiqui W.Delusional Disorder. [Updated 2023 Mar 27]. In: StatPearls [Internet].
Freeman D, Garety P.Advances in understanding and treating persecutory delusions: A review.Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2014;49(8):1179-1189. doi:10.1007%2Fs00127-014-0928-7
Isham L, Griffith L, Boylan A, et al.Understanding, treating, and renaming grandiose delusions: A qualitative study.Psychol Psychother. 2021;94(1):119-140. doi:10.1111%2Fpapt.12260
Batinic B, Duisin D, Barisic J.Obsessive versus delusional jealousy.Psychiatr Danub. 2013;25(3):334-339.
American Psychological Association.APA dictionary of psychology: Somatic delusion.
Kiran C, Chaudhury S.Understanding delusions.Ind Psychiatry J. 2009;18(1):3-18. doi:10.4103%2F0972-6748.57851
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
