Delusions Flashcards
What is a delusion?
Delusions are firmly held beliefs that persist, despite evidence to the contrary
What conditions can delusions be a feature of?
Bipolar disorder
Schizophrenia
Psychosis
What is a nihilistic delusion?
A negative delusion that fits with the patient’s depressed mood - patients may believe that they are dead, or that the world has ended (they believe that everything has come to an end)
What is a grandiose delusion?
Patients believe that they exhibit extraordinary traits or powers
What condition are grandiose delusions common in?
Bipolar disorder
What condition are grandiose delusions common in?
Manic phases of bipolar disorder
What is a delusion of control?
Where a patient experiences the sensation that an external entity is controlling their thoughts or actions
What is a persecutory delusion?
A delusion where the patient believes they are being persecuted or conspired against
What is a somatic delusion?
Where the patient believes that they have a medical, physical or biological problem despite no evidence to support the claim
What are the differential diagnoses for patients with delusion?
Mood disorders with psychotic features
Neurocognitive disorders - dementia, parkinson’s
Substance induced psychosis
What is a somatic delusion?
Where the patient believes that they have a medical, physical or biological problem despite no evidence to support the claim
