Holding a belief that one is ill or something is wrong with them medically, when in reality, nothing is wrong. 

Somatic Delusion

Holding the belief that someone, typically an important or famous person, is in love with them. Attempts to contact and stalk the believed lover are not uncommon. 

Erotomanic Delusion

This type of delusion is characterized by an over-inflated ego, believing they can or have done fantastical things. Grandiose delusions are a false vision of grandeur about one's greatness. A common example is believing that one is the reincarnation of Jesus Christ.

Grandiose Delusion

This subtype involves the belief that a spouse or partner is being unfaithful. 

Jealous Delusion

Paranoid delusions are the false belief that people and organizations are planning to harm them.

Paranoid Delusion

The belief that they or someone close to them has someone or something out to get them. With a central theme of being targeted and conspired against, it is not uncommon for people who hold these delusions to have trust issues and frequently contact legal authorities. 

Persecutory Delusion

Thought Insertion is a type of delusion in which people believe thoughts have been planted in their head.

Thought Insertion Delusion

Thought withdrawal is a type of delusion in which people belive thoughts are being taken out of their head.

Thought Withdrawal Delusion

Types of delusions include:

- Erotomanic
- Grandiose
- Jealous
- Persecutory
- Somatic
- Paranoid
- Thought insertion
- Thought withdrawal

New Mexico Highlands University

Delusions are defined as beliefs that starkly contradict reality and are maintained with strong conviction, even when presented with conflicting evidence. Unlike merely odd beliefs, delusions are typically identifiable by their absurd nature.

Delusions

Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020, April 22). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

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

Types of Delusions

Paranoid delusions are a type of false belief centered on the conviction that other individuals or organizations are planning to cause harm to the person. For instance, an individual might believe that a family member is conspiring with a government agency to poison them, or that a neighbor is a hostile spy with malicious intent.

Paranoid Delusions

Grandiose delusions are false beliefs where an individual is convinced they possess exceptional abilities, exclusive knowledge, or are of immense importance. Examples include a person claiming to be a major historical figure like Jesus Christ, possessing ancient wisdom, or being a renowned philosopher.

Grandiose Delusions

Somatic delusions are false beliefs concerning one's body, involving the conviction that something highly unusual and often bizarre is occurring. A classic example is the belief that one's internal organs are being consumed by insects.

Somatic Delusions

Thought withdrawal is a type of delusion characterized by the firm belief that one's thoughts are being forcibly taken out of their mind by an external force.

Thought Withdrawal Delusions

Thought insertion is a type of delusion involving the conviction that thoughts have been placed into one's mind by an outside person or entity.

Thought Insertion Delusions

A delusion is a belief that is contrary to reality and is firmly held, even when presented with conflicting evidence. Based on this definition, which of the following scenarios provides the clearest example of a delusion?

Which of the following scenarios provides the clearest example of a delusion, as defined by a belief that is contrary to reality and firmly held despite contradictory evidence?

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