Delusional mental disorder is a strong belief in things that are clearly wrong but are still believed by the sufferer. Furthermore, people with mental disorders are very, very firmly hold on to that belief. Delusional mental disorder is not a form of schizophrenia, although the two are often confused. Delusional mental disorder relates to situations that can actually occur in the individual sufferer for a period of at least a month or more, and the beliefs held about those situations are usually considered normal by the sufferer. In general, the behavior of people with delusions is usually normal, outside of the delusional element. There are several types of delusional mental disorder, which include erotomania, grandiosity, jealousy, abuse, and somatic. As you learn more about each of these types of mental disorders, keep in mind that the human mind has an extraordinary ability and is capable of creating the wildest imaginations that seem very real to the individual possessor.
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Method 1 of 3: Definition of Delusional Mental Disorder
Step 1. Know what delusions are
Delusions are a set of beliefs that do not change even when they clash with evidence. This means that even if you try to challenge the sufferer's delusional beliefs, they will not change. Even if you provide evidence against the delusional belief, the person with delusions will still hold on to his belief.
- Often, people around the sufferer, who have the same social and cultural background, will not be able to understand and will find the belief strange.
- An example of a delusion that is considered odd is the belief that the patient's internal organs have been exchanged for someone else's, even though the sufferer has no scars or other signs of surgery on his body. Another, slightly less bizarre example is the belief that the patient is being watched or his movements are being recorded by police or government officials.
Step 2. Know the criteria for someone to be said to be suffering from delusional disorder
Delusions are mental disorders that are typically characterized by having delusional beliefs for a month or more. This mental disorder certainly does not appear at the time of the emergence of other psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia. The following are the criteria for delusional mental disorder:
- Having delusional beliefs for a month or more,
- These delusional beliefs do not meet the criteria for schizophrenia, which is also accompanied by other factors such as hallucinations, speech disturbances, disorganized behavior, catatonic ("frozen" behavior without reaction), or loss of emotional expression.
- Apart from delusional beliefs and the aspects of life that are affected, the self-function of the person with delusions is not affected. This individual is still able to live his daily life, and his behavior does not appear strange or odd.
- Delusional mental disorder is more markedly marked by the duration of the delusional belief, not by other mood-related symptoms or hallucinations. This means that mood swings or hallucinations are not the main focus or the most important symptom of this mental disorder.
- The delusional beliefs that arise are also not the result of the use of drugs or illicit substances, or any particular medical condition.
Step 3. Recognize that some other types of mental disorders are characterized by the appearance of delusional beliefs in the sufferer
There are several types of conditions that are officially classified as mental disorders characterized by the appearance of hallucinations or delusional beliefs, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, delirium, and dementia.
Step 4. Understand the difference between delusional beliefs and hallucinations
Hallucinations are experiences that involve perception and are not triggered by any external stimuli. In addition, hallucinations are usually experienced in one or more of the human senses, with the most common symptom being the sense of hearing. Hallucinations can also occur in the senses of sight, smell, and touch.
Step 5. Distinguish delusional disorder from schizophrenia
Delusional disorder does not meet the criteria for schizophrenia. Schizophrenia exhibits a variety of other signs, such as hallucinations, disorganized speech, disorganized behavior, catatonic behavior, or loss of emotional expression.
Step 6. Understand how common this delusional disorder is
Delusional disorder affects approximately 0.2% of members of the public. Because delusional disorder often does not affect functioning of life, it can be difficult to determine whether someone is suffering from delusional disorder, because the person does not appear strange or odd.
Step 7. Recognize that the cause of delusional disorder is not yet clear
Extensive research and theories trying to explain the causes and essence of delusional disorder are being carried out, but researchers have not succeeded in determining a specific cause that causes this disorder.
Method 2 of 3: Types of Delusional Mental Disorder
Step 1. Recognize erotomania delusional disorder
Erotomanic delusions relate to the belief that a person is in love or infatuated with the sufferer. Usually, people who are considered to be infatuated are people who have a higher/important status than the delusional sufferer, such as celebrities or their bosses at work. Often, the sufferer tries to contact the person he or she believes is in love with him or her. These types of delusions can even trigger stalking or violent behavior.
- Generally, erotomanic delusions exhibit fairly calm behavior. However, sometimes sufferers may exhibit irritable, overly passionate, or jealous behavior.
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Some of the behaviors that are common in people with erotomanic delusions include:
- Belief that the object of the delusion is trying to send him secret messages, for example through body language or words.
- Engage in stalking behavior or contact the object of the delusion, for example by writing a letter, sending a text message, or e-mailing. People with erotomanic delusions may continue to do these things even though the object resists contact attempts.
- A strong belief that the object of the delusion is still infatuated with him, even though the facts show the opposite, for example, even though there is an official legal warning letter for the sufferer not to approach the object again.
- This type of delusional disorder is more common in women than men.
Step 2. Observe grandiose delusional disorder
The delusion of grandeur is the belief that oneself, the sufferer, has hidden talents, ideas, or inventions. People with delusions of grandeur believe in their own uniqueness, and view themselves as holders of very important roles, super powers, or special abilities.
- People with this disorder may also believe that they are famous celebrities or the inventor of magical objects such as time machines.
- Some common behaviors in people with delusional grandeur disorder, for example, are bragging or exaggeration of one's greatness, and the sufferer can look like an arrogant person.
- In addition, people with this disorder can appear impulsive and unrealistic about their goals and dreams.
Step 3. Look for jealous behavior, which may be a sign of jealousy delusional mental disorder
Delusions of jealousy share a common theme: having an unfaithful partner. Even though the evidence may suggest otherwise, people with jealousy delusions still believe that their partner is having an affair. Sometimes, people with this disorder will put together certain events or experiences and conclude for themselves that they are evidence of their partner's infidelity.
Common behaviors that signal jealous delusions include violence in the relationship, attempts to limit a partner's activities, or attempts to confine a partner in the home. In fact, this type of delusion is most often associated with violence and is often a common motive in murder cases
Step 4. Be on the lookout for behaviors that indicate maltreatment delusional disorder
Delusions of abuse relate to the theme that the sufferer is the victim of a malicious conspiracy or conspiracy, cheating, spying, stalking, or harassment. Sometimes, this type of delusional disorder appears as delusional paranoia and is the most common type of delusional disorder. Sometimes, too, sufferers of delusional persecution experience a vague feeling that they are being mistreated, without being able to determine why.
- Even trivial insults can be exaggerated and seen as an attempt to cheat or abuse by the sufferer.
- The behaviors of people with delusions of abuse include being angry, wary, hateful, or suspicious.
Step 5. Find out if you see any signs of delusional dysfunction/body sense disorder
Somatic delusions are delusional beliefs related to the body and its senses. These can be delusional beliefs about certain appearances, illnesses, or infections.
- Common examples of somatic delusions include the belief that the sufferer has an unpleasant body odor, or that insects have entered his body through the skin. Somatic delusions can also be related to the belief that the sufferer's physical appearance is poor or that one part of his body is not functioning normally.
- The behavior of people with somatic delusions is usually specific in accordance with the delusions. For example, a patient who believes that he or she has been infected with insects through the skin may consult a dermatologist, and refuse treatment from a psychiatrist because they think it is not what they need.
Method 3 of 3: Help for Delusional Mental Disorder
Step 1. Talk to the person you suspect has delusional disorder
Delusional beliefs may go unnoticed until the sufferer talks about them or talks about their impact on relationships or work in their lives.
At times, you may recognize inappropriate behavior that suggests delusional disorder. For example, delusional beliefs can determine everyday decisions, such as not wanting to carry/use a cellphone because they believe that they are being spied on by the government
Step 2. Get a diagnosis from a mental health professional
Delusional mental disorder is a serious condition that requires treatment from a mental health professional. If one of your loved ones has delusional beliefs, this could be due to various possible types of mental disorders, then it is imperative that that person get professional help right away.
It's also important to remember that only a licensed mental health professional can diagnose a person with delusional mental disorder. These specially licensed experts conduct an in-depth interview process covering the topic of symptom examination, medical and psychiatric history, as well as existing medical records, in order to accurately identify delusional mental disorders
Step 3. Help the sufferer to get the behavioral therapy and psychological education therapy he needs
Psychotherapy for people with delusional disorder involves the process of building the patient's relationship and trust in the therapist, so that behavioral changes can be achieved, for example improvements in work or relationship problems that were previously affected by the sufferer's delusional beliefs. Similarly, once this behavior change has progressed, the therapist can help challenge the sufferer to abandon his delusional beliefs, starting with the parts that are the smallest and least important to the sufferer.
This kind of therapy takes quite a long time, ie up to six months to a year before progress can be seen
Step 4. Ask the patient's psychiatrist about antipsychotic medication
Treatment of delusional mental disorder usually also involves antipsychotic medication. Antipsychotic medication has been shown to help sufferers get rid of their symptoms up to 50% of the time, and 90% of patients show at least some improvement in their symptoms.
The most common antipsychotic drugs used in the treatment of delusional mental disorders are the drugs pimozide and clozapine. Olanzapine and risperidone are also drugs that are quite often used for this purpose
Warning
- Do not ignore or facilitate risky or violent behavior in people with delusional mental disorders.
- Don't ignore the stress that hits you or others who are helping to care for the sufferer. This stress can be quite significant for you. Asking for help from others to care for the sufferer can help you deal with the stress that arises.
