A delusion is a strongly-held or fixed false belief that conflicts with reality.
Delusions are a common symptom of psychotic disorders such asschizophrenia, delusional disorder, and schizoaffective disorder.
Phillip Johnson-Laird defined delusions as failure to distinguish conceptual relevance, meaning irrelevant information is accepted as relevant.
Theresa Chiechi / Verywell
The definition of delusions continues to evolve.
What Causes Delusions?
Abnormal activity of dopamine and other neurotransmitters is thought to be involved in certain delusional symptoms.
People with delusional disorder are functional and often employed.
Their behavior is not considered bizarre.
Your healthcare provider will also ask about your symptoms and take a medical history.
A mental health professional will first distinguish delusions from overvalued ideas.
For example, the DSM-5 criteria for delusional disorder are as follows:
How Are Delusions Treated?
Treatment for delusions will depend on the cause but often includes a combination of medication and therapy.
Medications may include antipsychotics, tranquilizers, or antidepressants.
Summary
There are numerous types and causes of delusions.
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