What is Delusional Disorder?

Delusional disorder ia a type of Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders. Delusions are fixed false beliefs that are opposite to the reality. These false beliefs are person’s conflict with reality and these are so rigid that person cannot let them go despite opposing evidences. Delusions are due to misinterpreting factual events.

Diagnostic criteria of Delusional Disorder

As we know that delusions are false beliefs. The diagnostic criteria of delusional disorder according to DSM 5TR is mentioned here

Diagnostic Criteria A

Delusional disorder can be diagnosed if there are one or more then one delusions are present for the duration of one month or more than one month.

Diagnostic Criteria B

No hallucination should be present and incase if these are present then should not be prominent and must be related to delusional theme. For example the sensation of being bitten by insect is associated with infestation delusions.

Diagnostic Criteria C

Other than the impact of delusions the daily functioning of individual is not impaired and his or her behavior is not odd.

Diagnostic Criteria D

Sometime brief episodes if mania or major depressive disorder occur and are relevant to delusions.

Diagnostic Criteria E

The delusions are not due to use of any substance or medication

Specify Delusional Disorder

Specify whether:

Erotomanic type:

In this type of delusion person thinks that any famous or known person or celebrity is in love with him or her. Person believes that he is in contact with that known person via some gestures (which that celebrity is using in show) which are their secret and he or she only know the meaning of these gestures.

Grandiose type:

This is a type of delusion in which a person despite lack of evidences beliefs that he or she have extraordinary wealth, talent or fame. For example if a person belief that god have given him power and duty to save this world.

Jealous type:

This is a type of delusion in which person beliefs that his or her partner is unfaithful to him.

Persecutory type:

This Delusion in which person belief that he is in harm, followed by someone to harass or going to be killed by someone even without any reason.

Somatic type:

In this person feels sensation inside the body or the skin. He or she feels that some worms are on her or his skin.

Unspecified type:

This subtype is diagnosed when there is no one dominant delusion which can be described by specific type.