- Main types
- 1. Delusion of persecution or paranoia
- 2. Delusion of greatness
- 3. Delusion of self-reference
- 4. Delusion of jealousy
- 5. Delusion of control or influence
- 6. Other types
- What causes delirium
- How the treatment is done
- Are delirium and hallucination the same thing?
Delirium, also known as delusional disorder, is the alteration of the content of thought, arising when the person strongly believes in an idea that is not the truth. Some of the signs that indicate delusion are believing that you have superpowers or that you are being pursued by enemies, for example, being difficult to distinguish imagination from reality.
Delirium appears in isolation or may be a symptom of people with psychosis, schizophrenia, alcohol and drug abuse, after a brain injury or in the presence of other mental disorders, so it needs treatment with a psychiatrist. It is also common for delirium to appear accompanied by hallucinations that, instead of ideas, are perceptions of things that do not exist, such as hearing voices, seeing monsters or feeling bitten by insects.
It is important not to confuse delusion with delirium , which is a state of mental confusion related to changes in brain activity, and it usually affects mainly hospitalized elderly people or people with dementia. Learn more about what is delirium and its main causes.
Main types
There are several types of delirium, and the main ones are:
1. Delusion of persecution or paranoia
The bearer of this type of delusion believes that he is being victimized by persecution, and says that there are enemies who are trying to kill, poison, defame or want to harm him, without this being true.
2. Delusion of greatness
In this case, the person believes that he is superior to other people, for having an important position or for having fantastic skills, such as having superpowers, being God or the president of the republic, for example.
3. Delusion of self-reference
The person is convinced that some event or object, even if insignificant, has a special meaning. This feels like the center of observation and attention and even the most insignificant of events has a very important meaning.
4. Delusion of jealousy
In this type of delusion, the person is convinced that he is being deceived by his partner, and starts to see any sign, such as looks, words or attitudes as a proof of his suspicion. This situation can stimulate the appearance of aggressions and domestic violence.
5. Delusion of control or influence
The affected person believes that his actions and his thinking are controlled by another person, a group of people or external forces. They may also believe that they are influenced by radiation, telepathies or special machines controlled by enemies to harm them.
6. Other types
There are still other types of delirium, for example, the erotomaniac, in which the person believes that another person, usually famous, is in love with him, the somatic, in which there are beliefs about altered bodily sensations, in addition to others, such as the mystical or revenge.
In addition, there may be mixed delusional disorder, in which the types of delusions can vary, with no predominant type.
What causes delirium
Delusional disorder is a psychiatric disease, and although its exact causes have not yet been clarified, it is known that its appearance is related to genetic changes, as it is more common among people in the same family, in addition to environmental risk factors, which may include drug use, head trauma, certain infections or negative psychological experiences, for example.
Delirium can also be a symptom that is part of or can be confused with other psychiatric illnesses, such as schizophrenia, schizophreniform disorder, brain damage, obsessive-compulsive disorder, severe depression or bipolar disorder, for example. Learn more about what schizophrenia is and how to identify it.
Confirmation of the diagnosis of delirium is made after the psychiatrist's evaluation, who will observe the signs and symptoms presented, the patient's way of talking and, if necessary, request tests to identify other types of diseases that may influence the case.
How the treatment is done
The treatment of delirium depends on its cause, and it is generally necessary to use antipsychotic medications, such as Haloperidol or Quetiapine, for example, antidepressants or tranquilizers, according to each case, which are indicated by the psychiatrist.
Psychotherapy is also very important, with cognitive-behavioral therapy developed by a psychologist. The family may also need help, requiring guidance from family members and suggesting support groups. The evolution of the delusion and the duration of treatment is variable and can last for hours, days, months or years, which depends on the severity and clinical conditions of the patient.
Are delirium and hallucination the same thing?
Delirium and hallucination are different symptoms because, while delusion is believing in something impossible, hallucinations are misperceptions, manifested through sight, hearing, touch or smell, such as seeing dead people or monsters, hearing voices, feeling stings or smells that do not exist, for example.
These symptoms can appear separately or be together in the same person, and usually appear in the presence of other mental disorders, such as schizophrenia, depression, schizoid disorders, psychosis or drug intoxications, for example.
