Types of delusions

Delusions have been classified in many different ways. One way is based on the content of the delusion. Some of the commoner types of delusions are described below.

Delusions of persecution
The patient has a deluded belief that others are trying to harm him. can present in different ways in different patients. Delusions of persecution are common, but may not be very helpful in diagnosis, because they can occur in many types of psychotic disorders for example severe mood disorders, schizophrenia and organic states. However the patient's attitudes to the delusion may point to the diagnosis. For example in depression the delusions of persecution is usually mood congruent for example accompanied by feelings of guilt and worthlessness; the patient may belief he is persecuted because he is wicked. Whereas in the schizophrenia, the patient often resents the "persecutions". It should be also recalled that in many cultures people often believe that their misfortunes are due to evil charms/malign activities of other people in their community. This is often culturally shared, culturally accepted belief and therefore is not a delusion.

Delusions of reference
With this delusion, the patient believes that other people's actions, and even other events have a special significance or reference to himself. For example when a schizophrenic patient sees his family members talking among themselves, he may deludedly believe that there are talking about him, plotting to harm him. Another patient may believe that the news telecast on television had special reference to him. Yet another patient might claim that political posters pasted on the wall outside the hospital are referring to him. Delusions of reference are very common, and may be seen in schizophrenia, delusional disorder and severe mood disorders. They often have persecutory associations, but may also relate to grandiose themes.

Delusions of jealousy
The patient firmly believes that his partner is unfaithful to him. This belief is not based on logical evidence. The patient may act on his delusion for example always check on the suspected partner or accuse the partner and physically abused the partner. Delusions of jealousy are dangerous because they could lead to violence towards the partner. Delusions of jealousy is again common, and may form part of the schizophrenic illness, delusional disorder or mood disorder. It should be noted that delusions of jealousy are also associated with alcohol dependency.

Grandiose delusions
The patient has a deluded belief that he has special abilities or that he is a special person. Grandiose delusions are common, often seen in mania with psychotic features. It is also seen in other situations such as schizophrenia (the the patient may have bizarre grandiose delusions) and also in some organic illnesses such as general paresis of the insane.