Certain populations are more vulnerable to this psychotic disorder:
- People who are deaf or hard of hearing
- People who are visually impaired
- People who face language barriers 
- Elderly People

University of Pittsburgh

Previously referred to as paranoid disorder, delusional disorder is characterized by an inability to recognize reality from false beliefs called delusions. It occurs more often in middle age or later in life. This disorder is diagnosed when someone holds one or more non-bizarre delusions as truth for a month or more. These delusions cannot be sourced from culture or other causes. Symptoms include irritability and hallucinations.  

Delusional Disorder

Delusional Disorder. Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9599-delusional-disorder 

Delusional Disorder Cleveland Clinic

Also called folie à deux, this occurs when one person in a relationship that has a delusion influences the other to develop that delusion. This can happen to groups too, referred to as folie à plusiers, and can be seen in cults. 

Shared psychotic disorder

There are different types of Delusional Disorder, depending on  the specific delusion the individual is experiencing:

- Delusional jealousy
- Bizarre
- Erotomania
- Grandiose
- Persecutory
- Somatic
- Mixed
- Thought broadcasting
- Thought insertion
- Unspecified


Types of Delusional Disorder

Population at Risk for Delusion Disorder

A study found an association between the HLA-A*03 gene, delusional disorder, and paranoid schizophrenia. It is found that this gene alone, in combination with other HLA genes or other closely linked non-HLA genes, may lead to vulnerability to delusional disorder and paranoid schizophrenia.   

Genetic Association between Delusional Disorder and Paranoid Schizophrenia

Psychotherapy is typically used to treat delusional disorder. The treatment focuses on exploring possible biological and psychological problems and decreasing symptoms by helping the individual work toward reality. A therapist first establishes a trustful bond with the individual by expressing sympathy and accepting their delusions, a supportive response the individual is often not accustomed to from others. Subsequently, the therapist helps increase the individual’s self-confidence, challenges the delusional thought process, and addresses any underlying psychological problems. Cognitive-behavioral therapy and other solution-oriented therapies are particularly useful during this stage of treatment.

Learn Before

Related