DELUSION

DEF.
It is an irrationally held belief which cannot be altered in spite of evidence to d contrary.

PERSISTANT DELUSIONAL DISORDERS.
This category in ICD-10.

1. Delusional disorder(paranoid disorder)
it is characterized by following features.
i) persistant delusions must be present for atleast 3 months
#delusion of persecution i.e. Being persecuted against
#delusion of grandeur i.e. Inflated self esteem & self image
#delusion of jealousy i.e. Infidelity
#somatic (hypochondriacal) delusions
#erotomanic delusions (delusions of love)
#other non-bizarre delusions



2. Absence of significant or persistent hallucinations

3. Absence of organic mental disorders, schizophrenia & mood disorders.

-common cause appears to be an abrupt change in d environmnent & in immigrants.
-it is a disorder with usually stable & chronic course..
-it is characterized by presence of well systematized delusions of non bizzare type.
- the behavior outside d limits of delusion is almost normal.
- these individuals are able to carry on a near social & occupational life without arousing suspicion regarding d delusional disorder.
- when d content of delusion is predominantly persecutory it is important to differentiate it from paranoid schizophrenia & paranoid personality disorder.
- when d content of delusion is predominantly jealousy involving d spouse it is called as othello syndrome or conjugal paranoia
- when d content of delusion is erotic it is called clerambault syndrome.

OTHER PERSISTANT DELUSIONAL DISORDER.
These do not fulfill d criteria for delusional disorder.
1. Delusions associated with resistant hallucinatory voices.
2. Delusional disorder with a duration of less than 3 months.

TREATMENT.
1. Anti psychotics are used to control agitation & treat psychotic features.
2. Supportive psychotherapy.
3. Antidepressants &/or ECT maybe needed for secondary depression.

INDUCED DELUSIONAL DISORDER.
It is characterized by sharing of delusion between usually 2 or more persons who usually have a closely knit emotional bond. Only one person has the genuine delusions due to an underlying psychiatric disorder.