Usually, the delusional disorder manifests itself in a person’s specific behavior. People sometimes declare unique and unusual things that they believe, even though to others they seem silly. Such people are influenced by society and may be overly trusting, which nevertheless does not invalidate their beliefs. The disease is divided into several types, according to the DSM-5. Each type is characterized by specific behavior, depending on whom psychotherapy is conducted.
The Erotomanic type is characterized by the person’s belief that the celebrity has a romantic interest (Nevid, Rathus & Greene, 2020). The person’s beliefs display grandiose about their high importance and power compared to others. The jealous type is prevalent in unstable couples in which one partner is too suspicious of the other. Based on this, marriages often fall apart because the partners cannot agree. Persecutory is the most common type in which people are haunted by an obsessive sense of surveillance or stalking. People complain to law enforcement, express constant anxiety, and experience anxiety. The somatic disorder often occurs when some injuries or circumstances cause the person to worry too much about their health.
The etiology of the disorder remains incompletely known. Delusional disorder is not an early stage of schizophrenia or bipolar affective disorder, as longitudinal observations of patients have not revealed a further change in the diagnosis of chronic delirium. However, biochemical abnormalities are due to abnormalities in the brain in which proper transmission of neurotransmitters is impossible (González-Rodríguez, et al., 2020). Genetic factors are not fully understood, but no direct correlation with schizophrenia has been found. The social aspect is thought to play a determining role in causing self-consciousness failures (Goodwin, et al., 2020). Causes include low social status, marital dissolution, child loss, frequent illness, and alcohol or drug use.
The diagnosis of delusional disorder is performed comprehensively: physical and psychological examinations are equally important. Medical tests help establish the absence of apparent biological abnormalities and rule out some diseases (e.g., Alzheimer’s or epilepsy). Consultation with a psychologist gives insight into the frequency of delusions, the presence of depression, obsessive-compulsive disorders, etc. (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). After the conclusion of all data according to ICD-10 and DSM-5, a diagnosis is made, and a referral for treatment is completed.
Psychotherapy serves as the primary means of treatment since pharmaceutical support alone does not demonstrate results. The psychotherapist presents the person with an accessible environment where it is possible to develop the correct behavior patterns and learn to recognize symptoms (Goodwin, et al., 2020). In addition, the risk of depression and self-harm episodes remains high until remission, so the therapist may recommend inpatient treatment. Changes in thinking and behavior to prolong remission and prevent relapse are at the heart of successful treatment (González-Rodríguez, et al., 2020). The predominantly delusional disorder occurs in episodes, although it may end in persistent remission for the rest of life. Nevertheless, consultation with the treating physician should be regular.
Delusions and intrusive thoughts occur in any person, but individuals with delusional disorder often cannot distinguish between themselves and the real thing and find the right solution (Nevid, Rathus & Greene, 2020). Their delusions affect their social status, disrupting interpersonal relationships and leading to isolation. In addition, the exacerbation of illness and other disorders aggravates psychotherapy, making seeking help a considerable investment and effort later. Aggressive behavior and infliction of harm can arise because of pressure on the person. For example, when his position is called false, the person may commit rash acts in the neglected course of the disease (Goodwin, et al., 2020). Consequences of the disorder are present in any period of the illness but depend considerably on the type and duration of the illness.
References
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th Ed. (DSM-5), American Psychiatric Association, Arlington.
Nevid, J. S., Rathus, S. A., & Greene, B. S. (2020). Abnormal Psychology in a Changing World (11th Edition). Pearson Education (US).
González-Rodríguez, A., Guàrdia, A., Palao, D. J., Labad, J., & Seeman, M. V. (2020). Moderators and mediators of antipsychotic response in delusional disorder: Further steps are needed. World journal of psychiatry, 10(4), 34–45. Web.
Goodwin, T. A., Lowry, T. J., Meurk, C., & Neillie, D. (2020). Treating the untreatable? The biopsychosocial treatment of delusional disorder: a case study. Australasian psychiatry: bulletin of Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, 28(4), 433–437. Web.