Director Meixiaofang described that in the vast field of mental health, delusional disorder, as a unique and complex mental illness, often prompts deep contemplation. It is like an invisible mist layer shrouding the patient’s world of thoughts, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy, bringing numerous troubles to their lives.
I. Definition of Delusional Disorder
Delusional disorder, more accurately known in medicine as delusional disorder, is a mental illness characterized by persistent, non-bizarre delusions as the main symptom. These delusions are typically unfounded and illogical, but patients firmly believe in them, even when faced with conclusive evidence to the contrary. Delusional disorder does not involve other common mental symptoms seen in schizophrenia, such as hallucinations, thought disorder, or emotional apathy.
II. Types of Delusional Disorder
The symptoms of delusional disorder manifest in various ways, and based on the content of delusions, they can be broadly categorized into the following types:
1. Persecutory Delusions: Patients strongly believe they are being persecuted, followed, monitored, or poisoned by an organization or individual, despite these threats not existing in reality.
2. Grandiose Delusions: Patients believe they possess extraordinary abilities, wealth, knowledge, or status, which significantly deviates from reality.
3. Jealousy Delusions: Patients baselessly suspect their spouse or partner of being unfaithful, even without substantial evidence supporting this idea.
4. Somatic Delusions: Patients think their thoughts, emotions, or behaviors are controlled or influenced by external forces (such as electromagnetic waves, radiation, etc.).
5. Other Types of Delusions: Such as religious delusions, feeling of being observed, these delusions are also based on unrealistic beliefs.
III. Causes of Delusional Disorder
The causes of delusional disorder are complex and varied, not yet fully understood. It is generally believed that genetics, biochemical factors, environmental factors, and individual psychological factors all play crucial roles. For example, certain genetic variations may increase the risk of developing delusional disorder; imbalance in brain neurotransmitters may affect thought processes; and prolonged psychological stress, life events, or interpersonal relationship issues could serve as triggers for delusional disorder.
According to Director Meixiaofang, diagnosing and treating delusional disorder, a complex mental illness, requires specialized medical knowledge and experience. For patients, it is important to seek professional help promptly, actively participate in treatment to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life. Simultaneously, the general public should enhance their awareness and understanding of mental health, offering more care and support to individuals with delusional disorder. In this process, each of us contributes to unraveling the fog of the mind and promoting human mental health.
