Types of Delusional Disorder - OmniMedicalSearch.com

Conditions & Diseases: Psychological & Mental Health

Delusional Disorder

Delusional Disorder Types

Based on the predominant delusional theme, there are six subtypes of delusional disorder.

Erotomanic Type (also known as erotomania, psychose passionelle, Clerambault syndrome, or old maid's insanity):
Individuals affected by this subtype believe that another person is secretly in love with them. The person believed to be in love with the patient can be either someone with a higher status or unattainable (such as a famous person, a superior from work, or someone married), or a complete stranger. The delusion of love is usually intense in nature and "...often concerns idealized romantic love and spiritual union rather than sexual attraction." (1)

Although in some cases the delusion is kept secret, in most cases the patient attempts to contact the object of their delusion either through telephone calls, letters, gifts, visits, even stocking them. In some cases, individuals affected by this form of delusional disorder (especially males) have problems with the law because they abusively attempt to pursue the object of their delusion in a "misguided" effort to "rescue" that person from an imaginary danger. "Signs of denial of love are falsely interpreted as affirmation of love."(2)

Although in clinical samples more women than men are diagnosed with this subtype of delusional disorder, in the forensic samples -more men than women are diagnosed with the erotomanic type.

Grandiose Type
Individuals diagnosed with this subtype live with the conviction that they are important and unique, a conviction that can take several forms: (1) believing that they posses a great (but unrecognized) talent, insight, or that they made a great discovery, (2) believing that they are a prominent person (situation when the actual person may be regarded as an impostor) or have a special relationship or remarkable connections with a prominent person (an adviser to the president), (3) believe they have a special power or ability (especially in individuals (cult leaders) with religious related delusions- the person believes that they have a special message from a deity).

Jealous Type
Individuals diagnosed with this form of delusional disorder are firmly convinced of the infidelity of their spouse or partner despite contrary evidence. The infidelity belief is based on incorrect or minimal evidence such as a messy bedspread, disarrayed clothes, spots on the sheets, or more cigarettes in the ashtray than normal. Individuals affected by this form of delusional disorder tend to gather what they consider to be evidence of the spouse/partner's infidelity to confront them and even intervene in this imaginary infidelity by restricting the spouse/partner's activities and autonomy. Unfortunately, in most cases, this form of delusional disorder leads to aggression and injuries towards others.

Persecutory Type
Individuals diagnosed with this form of delusional disorder believe that they are "...being conspired against, cheated, spied on, followed, poisoned or drugged, maliciously maligned, harassed, or obstructed in the pursuit of long-term goals." (1) These individuals can often be involved in formal litigations against their persecutors, considering that their injustice must be remedied through legal actions. They usually try to obtain satisfaction by repeated appeals to courts and other government agencies. Such individuals are often resentful, angry, irritable, and may use violence against the object of their delusions.

Somatic Type
Individuals diagnosed with this form of delusion disorder are excessively concerned or have irrational ideas about bodily functions and sensations. The somatic delusions can take several forms: (1) the personal conviction that they are emitting a foul odor from the skin, mouth, rectum, or vagina, (2) the belief that there is an infestation of parasites or insects on or in the skin, (3) the belief that certain parts of the body are misshaped, deformed, or ugly, or (4) the belief that some parts of the body are not functional.

Mixed Type
Individuals diagnosed with this form of delusional disorder exhibit more than one the delusions simultaneously, without any of the delusions to be predominant.

Unspecified Type
Individuals diagnosed with this form of delusional disorder exhibit delusions that cannot be clearly determined or falls outside the specific categories.

Article by Alina Morrow,
MS Psychology
OmniMedicalSearch.com