Patterns of Thought Flashcards
A false, fixed idea that will not be changed despite evidence that it is false. May be categorized as somatic, self-accusatory, of grandeur, of persecution, of reference, erotomanic, bizarre, or of thought broadcasting or thought insertion.
Delusion
Misconstruing trivial events and remarks and giving them personal significance. (When Maria saw the doctor and nurse talking together, she believed they were plotting against her. When she heard on the radio that a hurricane was coming, she believed this was really a message that harm was going to befall her)
Ideas of Reference Delusion
The false belief that one is being singled out for harm by others; this belief often takes the form of people in power conspiring against the person or following the person or being oppressed by friends or colleagues. (Sam believed that the Secret Service was planning to kill him. He believed that the Secret Service was poisoning his food. Therefore he would only eat the food he was certain was safe.
Persecution Delusion
The false belief that one is a very powerful and important person, having special abilities, possessing great wealth or beauty. (Sally believed that she was Mary Magdalene and that Jesus controlled her thoughts and was telling her how to save the world)
Grandeur Delusion
The false belief that the body is changing in an unusual way, such as rotting inside, the heart is no longer beating. (David told the doctor that his brain was rotting away)
Somatic Delusion
The false belief that one’s mate is unfaithful; may have so-called proof. (Harry accuses his girlfriend of going out with other men, even though it is not the case. His “proof” was that she came home from work late twice that week. He persisted in his belief, even when the girlfriend’s boss explained that everyone had worked late)
Jealousy
The false belief that another person, usually a stranger, high-class person, or famous person, is in love with him or her. (Samantha firmly believed that Johnny Depp is madly in love with her. She imagines that callers who claim to have the wrong number are really Johnny. She sends him love letters and flowers through his agent. She tries repeatedly to get his home address.
Erotomania
Exaggerated belief in the futility of everything; may deny his own existence, and may believe that he or she is literally dead. (Jason is becoming more preoccupied with the belief that the world will end soon. He questions his own existence, sometimes wondering if he is already dead.
Nihilistic Delusions
Clearly implausible and incomprehensible false beliefs that do not derive from ordinary experiences. (Pheobe is obsessed with the idea that aliens are taking over her mind and are replacing parts of her brain with parts of alien brain parts.
Bizarre Delusions
Persistent, intrusive, uncontrollable, and unwanted thoughts occur. The thought cannot be eliminated by logic and may lead to compulsive behaviors or rituals.
Obsessive
An abnormal, irrational fear of an object, situation, person, or activity. The client is diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.
Phobia
A disturbance in thinking in which the association between ideas becomes vague, diffuse, and unfocused so that thoughts lack logical progression from any previous concept.
Looseness of Association
Characterized by the inability to recall one’s past and confusion about one’s personal identity. May be accompanied by a sudden flight away from home and the assumption of a new identity. (Although rare, it is common is soap operas and movies)
Fugue
The inability to form correct conclusions and the inability to learn from experience.
Impaired Judgement
An error in understanding one’s self, one’s emotions, feelings, and behavior.
Impaired Insight
