Delusions
Delusions: Introduction
Chronic cases of hallucinations and delusions typify chronic psychiatric
disorders such as schizophrenia and other delusional disorders.
Delusions differ from hallucinations in that delusions refer to the mind's
reasoning and thoughts, rather than its sensory inputs.
For example, "delusions of grandeur" are typical in schizophrenia, where a
patient may well truly believe that they
are actually the leader of a country, or a reincarnation of someone important.
It is important to be precise about this symptom, and to dinstinguish true
delusions from
other symptoms such as paranoia, anxiety, fear, and other emotional
states.
Also, people have varying belief systems, and it's not always clear at what
point a belief is valid,
and at what point it becomes a "delusion".
» Review Causes of Delusions:
full list
Causes of Delusions:
The following medical conditions are some of the possible
causes of Delusions.
There are likely to be other possible causes, so ask your doctor
about your symptoms.
See full list of 176
causes of Delusions
» Review Causes of Delusions:
full list
Causes of Types of Delusions:
Review the causes of these more specific types of Delusions:
See full list of 9
types for Delusions
Delusions: Symptom Checker
Listed below are some combinations of symptoms associated with Delusions, as listed in our database.
Visit the Symptom Checker,
to add and remove symptoms and research your condition.
Symptom Checker
Symptom Checker
See full list of 2780
Symptom Checker combinations related to Delusions
Delusions Treatments
Review further information on Delusions Treatments.
Diagnosis Checklist: Questions your doctor may ask (and why!)
During a consultation, your doctor will use various techniques in their assessment of Delusions.
Your doctor may ask several questions when assessing
your condition. It is important to remember that your consultation is a two-way process and any extra information
you can share with your doctor about your symptoms may help them with their diagnosis.
Some of the questions your doctor may ask are listed below:
- May need to get some history from family members and friends
- How long have you noticed the delusions?
Why: to determine if acute or chronic. If acute in nature must consider delirium or a new onset of psychiatric illness as a possible cause of delusion. Delirium is an acute confusional state due to many causes e.g. infection, drug intoxication, alcohol withdrawal, liver failure, kidney failure, hypoxia (reduced oxygen levels in the blood), low blood sugar, stroke, heart attack or head injury. If the onset is chronic a diagnosis of psychiatric illness or dementia may be more likely.
- Are the thoughts really delusions?
Why: delusions are false beliefs that are firmly held despite objective and contradictory evidence, and despite the fact that other members of the culture do not share the same beliefs.
- What is the nature of the delusions?
Why: e.g. grandiose, nihilistic, delusion of reference.
- At what time of the day are the symptoms worse?
Why: e.g. symptoms worse in the late afternoon and at night are typical of delirium.
- more questions...»
See Diagnosis Checklist for Delusions (29
listings)
Videos for Delusions
Schizophrenia affects 2.5 million people in the United States alone, but few people know anything about the disease and its symptoms. Listen as our...
With the distorted understanding that comes with schizophrenia comes drastic changes in relationships with other people, from close friends to people...
Schizophrenia is a disease that can have devastating effects on a person's ability to function effectively in his or her world. Though there is...
Adherence to medication is important in the treatment of schizophrenia. Listen to experts describe strategies that may help people take their...
See full list of 4 related videos
Stories from Users for Delusions
Real-life user stories relating to Delusions:
Symptom specific forums:
The following patient stories in our interactive forums and message boards
relate to Delusions or relevant symptoms:
Medications or substances causing Delusions:
The following drugs, medications, substances or toxins are some of the possible
causes of Delusions as a symptom.
Always advise your doctor of any medications or treatments you are using,
including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal or alternative treatments.
See full list of 30
medications causing Delusions
Drug interactions causing Delusions:
When combined, certain drugs, medications, substances or toxins may react
causing Delusions as a symptom.
Always advise your doctor of any medications or treatments you are using,
including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal or alternative treatments.
See full list of 2
drug interactions causing Delusions
News Archives for Delusions
Medical news articles related to Delusions include:
Source: HealthDay News
Diagnosis Checklist: Associated symptoms your doctor may ask about (and why!)
Sometimes, other symptoms may be present and may help your doctor analyse
your condition.
The symptoms your doctor may ask about (in association with Delusions) may include:
- Grandiose delusions?
Why: include beliefs that you have special powers, are chosen by God, or have been sent to save the world. Such beliefs are particularly likely to occur in manic people, but are also found in schizophrenia, dementia and delirium.
- Nihilistic delusion?
Why: include the belief that you are losing your physical or mental functions due to disease, or that you are already dead. Such beliefs may occur in severe depression.
- Delusions of reference?
Why: include beliefs that events in the environment have special meaning for you and refer particularly to you. Such beliefs occur in a wide range of disorders, including depression, mania and schizophrenia.
- Persecutory delusions?
Why: include beliefs that centre around the theme that you are being deliberately wronged, or conspired against, or harmed by another person or agency. Such beliefs are often associated with schizophrenia.
- Delusions of jealousy?
Why: belief, without good reason, that your partner is unfaithful. May be associated with Delusional disorder.
- more symptoms...»
See Diagnosis Checklist for Delusions (29
listings)
Delusions: Comorbid Symptoms
Some of the comorbid or associated medical symptoms
for Delusions may include these symptoms:
All associated co-morbid symptoms for Delusions
Causes of General Symptom Types
Research the causes of these more general types of symptom:
Causes of Similar Symptoms to Delusions
Research the causes of these symptoms that are similar to, or related to, the symptom Delusions:
Misdiagnosis and Delusions
Schizophrenia often has misdiagnosed hidden cause: The book "Preventing Misdiagnosis of Women" reports on a
study citing that 83% of people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia
actually had brain lesions (i.e. brain tumors) or temporal lobe seizures.
See ...read more »
Cushing's disease can be mistaken for depression: Cushing's disease (or similarly Cushing's syndrome) is a possible misdiagnosis for a person
diagnosed with depression.
It is an endocrine disorder...read more »
Manic-depressive (bipolar) disorder often misdiagnosed: Bipolar disorder, also called manic-depressive disorder, is often
misdiagnosed before reaching a correct diagnosis.
Some of the common misdiagnoses include ...read more »
Epilepsy misdiagnosed as schizophrenia: The book "Preventing Misdiagnosis of Women" reports on a case
of a woman diagnosed with schizophrenia, but later diagnosed
with a form of epilepsy called "temporal lobe epilepsy".
A variety of sensory symptoms, such as the...read more »
Various mental health symptoms caused by rare epilepsy: Temporal lobe epilepsy is a less common form
of epilepsy that does not have the typical physical seizures.
Patients can suffer from symptoms such as depression, moodiness, ...read more »
Rare seizure-less epilepsy misdiagnosed as various conditions: A complex partial seizure disorder,
such as temporal lobe epilepsy
can be misdiagnosed as various conditions.
Some of the possible misdiagnoses include depression, bipolar...read more »
Lupus is often misdiagnosed as other conditions: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), often simply called "lupus",
is a difficult disease to diagnose and can manifest with...read more »
Undiagnosed stroke leads to misdiagnosed aphasia: BBC News UK reported on a man who
had been institutionalized and treated for mental illness
because he suffered from sudden inability to...read more »
Dementia may be a drug interaction: A common scenario in aged care is for
a patient to show mental decline to dementia.
Whereas this can, of course,...read more »
ADHD under-diagnosed in adults: Although the over-diagnoses of ADHD
in children is a well-known controversy, the reverse side related to adults.
Some adults can remain undiagnosed, and indeed the condition has usually been
overlooked...read more »
Bipolar disorder misdiagosed as various conditions by primary physicians: Bipolar disorder (manic-depressive disorder)
often fails to be diagnosed correctly by primary care physicians.
Many patients with bipolar seek help from their physician, rather than a...read more »
Eating disorders under-diagnosed in men: The typical patient with
an eating disorder is female.
The result is that men with eating disorders often...read more »
Depression undiagnosed in teenagers: Serious bouts of depression can be
undiagnosed in teenagers.
The "normal" moodiness of teenagers can cause severe medical depression
to be overlooked.
See ...read more »
Undiagnosed anxiety disorders related to depression: Patients with depression (see symptoms of depression)
may also have undiagnosed anxiety disorders ...read more »
Read more about Misdiagnosis and Delusions
Diagnostic tests for Delusions:
Various tests are used in the diagnosis of Delusions. Some of these are listed below :
- Mental state examination - including appearance, behavior, rate and continuity of speech, mood, affect, thought content, evidence of any hallucinations or abnormal beliefs, orientation to time, place and person, attention and concentration, short-term memory, insight and judgement.
- Physical examination
- more tests...»
See full list of 26
diagnostic tests for Delusions
Home Diagnostic Testing and Delusions
Home medical tests possibly related to Delusions:
- Child Behavior: Home Testing
- Mental Health (Adults): Home Testing
- Mental Health: Home Testing:
- Brain & Neurological Disorders: Related Home Testing:
- more tests...»
Diagnostic Guides for Delusions
Medical Books Excerpts
Read excertps from published book sections related to Delusions
from the following published medical books
for more detailed information about Delusions.
Free access (no registration): read all online diagnostic book sections about Delusions
Medical Books Excerpts
- DELUSIONS
- "Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs" (2003)
- [ read ]
- DELUSIONS
- "Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care" (2007)
- [ read ]
- DELUSIONS
- "Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care" (2007)
- [ read ]
Copyright notice for book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.
Delusions: Research Related Doctors & Specialists
Other ways to find a doctor, or use doctor, physician and specialist online research services:
Hospitals & Clinics: Delusions
Research extensive quality ratings and patient safety measures
for hospitals, clinics and medical facilities in health specialties related to Delusions:
Research Hospital & Clinic Quality Ratings » »
Delusions: Related Rare Diseases
Rare types of medical conditions and diseases in related medical categories:
Delusions: Self Assessment Tools
Delusions: Medical Mistakes
Delusions: Undiagnosed Conditions
Conditions that are commonly undiagnosed in related areas may include:
Patient Surveys for Delusions
Organs affected by Delusions:
The list of organs typically affected by Delusions may include, but is not limited to:
Detailed list of causes of Delusions
The list below shows some of the causes of Delusions mentioned in various sources:
See full list of 176
causes of Delusions
How Common are these Causes of Delusions?
This information refers to the general prevalence and incidence of these diseases,
not to how likely they are to be the actual cause of Delusions.
Of the 176
causes of Delusions that
we have listed, we have the following prevalence/incidence information:
- 5
causes are "very common" diseases
- 5
causes are "common" diseases
- 3
causes are "uncommon" diseases
- 0
causes are "rare" diseases
- 3
causes are "very rare" diseases
- 165
causes have no prevalence information.
See the analysis of the prevalence of 176
causes of Delusions
Conditions listing symptoms: Delusions:
The following list of conditions
have 'Delusions' or similar
listed as a symptom in our database.
This computer-generated list may be inaccurate or incomplete.
Always seek prompt professional medical advice about the cause
of any symptom.
A
Acute intermittent porphyria
... paranoiaAffective Disorders, Psychotic
... delusionsAlcohol Withdrawal
... sound hallucinations, auditory hallucinations, paranoid delusionsAlcohol-Induced Disorders
... delusionsAlcoholism
... paranoid delusionsAlzheimer disease 10
... SuspicionAlzheimer disease 12
... SuspicionAlzheimer disease 13
... SuspicionAlzheimer disease 14
... SuspicionAlzheimer disease 15
... SuspicionAlzheimer disease 16
... SuspicionAlzheimer disease 2, late-onset
... SuspicionAlzheimer disease 3, (early-onset Alzheimer disease)
... SuspicionAlzheimer disease 5
... SuspicionAlzheimer disease 6
... SuspicionAlzheimer disease 7
... SuspicionAlzheimer disease 8
... SuspicionAlzheimer disease 9
... SuspicionAlzheimer disease, early-onset, with cerebral amyloid angiopathy
... SuspicionAlzheimer disease, familial, 1
... SuspicionAlzheimer disease, familial, 11
... SuspicionAlzheimer disease, familial, 3, with spastic paraparesis and apraxia
... SuspicionAlzheimer disease, familial, 3, with spastic paraparesis and unusual plaques
... SuspicionAlzheimer disease, familial, 4
... SuspicionAlzheimer's Disease
... suspicionAmphetamine abuse
... paranoia, delusionsB
Bell mania
... delusionsBing-Neel syndrome
... delusionsBipolar disorder
... delusionsC
Capgras' syndrome
... delusionsCathinone poisoning
... auditory hallucinations, paranoiaCerebrotendinous Xanthomatosus
... delusionsChemical poisoning - 5,-Methoxy-N,N-Diisopropyltryptamine
... auditory hallucinationsChemical poisoning - Ether
... auditory hallucinationsChemical poisoning - Sodium Monofluoroacetate
... auditory hallucinationsChildhood-Onset Schizophrenia
... paranoia, delusionsChoreoacanthocytosis amyotrophic
... paranoiaChronic depression
... delusionsCocaine addiction
... paranoia, auditory hallucinationsComplex partial seizure
... auditory hallucinationsComplex partial seizure disorder
... auditory hallucinationsCongenital hepatic porphyria
... paranoiaCrack addiction
... paranoia, auditory hallucinationsCrystal meth addiction
... paranoia, auditory hallucinations, delusionsD
Deletion 22q11
... paranoid delusionsDelirium
... delusionsDelusional disorder
... delusional beliefs, delusionsDementia With Lewy Bodies
... delusionsDepression
... delusionsDiabetes insipidus, diabetes mellitus, optic atrophy
... paranoiaDissociative Identity Disorder
... DelusionsDouble Depression
... delusionsDown's Syndrome associated Alzheimer's disease
... SuspicionDysphasic dementia, hereditary
... delusionsE
Early-onset Alzheimer's
... SuspicionEcstasy abuse
... paranoid symptomsEcstasy addiction
... paranoiaEcstasy withdrawal
... paranoid delusionsEndogenous depression
... delusionsEpilepsy, familial temporal lobe, 4
... auditory hallucinationsF
Familial Forms of Alzheimer's Disease
... SuspicionFocal seizure
... auditory hallucinationsFocal sensory seizure
... auditory hallucinationsH
Hawaiian Baby Woodrose poisoning
... paranoiaHead Conditions
... DelusionsHemiplegic migraine, familial type 1
... auditory hallucinationsHerbal Agent overdose - Wormwood
... paranoiaHeroin dependence
... paranoiaHoigné syndrome
... auditory hallucinationsHypomagnesemia primary
... delusionsI
Insanity
... delusionsL
Late-onset Alzheimer's
... SuspicionLSD addiction
... paranoiaLupus
... paranoiaM
Mania
... delusions of grandeurMarijuana abuse
... paranoiaMarijuana addiction
... paranoiaMarijuana overdose
... paranoiaN
Narcotic addiction
... paranoia, auditory hallucinationsNonaffective Psychosis
... DelusionsO
Opioid addiction
... paranoiaOpium addiction
... paranoiaOxycontin addiction
... paranoiaP
Pain killer addiction
... paranoiaParanoid Personality Disorder
... paranoia, paranoid beliefsParkinson disease 4, autosomal dominant Lewy body (PARK4)
... paranoiaPartial seizure
... auditory hallucinationsPartial sensory seizure
... auditory hallucinationsPorphyria
... paranoiaPrescribed medication addiction
... paranoia, auditory hallucinationsPsychiatric disorders
... Hearing voicesPsychological disorders
... Hearing voicesPsychosis
... paranoia, delusionsPsychotic depression
... Auditory hallucinationsPsychotic disorders
... paranoia, delusionsR
Right parietal lobe syndrome related Alzheimer's disease
... SuspicionRitalin abuse
... paranoiaS
Schizoid Personality Disorder
... paranoid beliefsSchizophrenia
... delusional beliefs, auditory hallucinations, delusions of grandeur, delusions, paranoid delusionsSchizophrenia 1
... delusional beliefs, auditory hallucinations, delusions of grandeur, paranoid delusionsSchizophrenia 10
... delusional beliefs, auditory hallucinations, delusions of grandeur, paranoid delusionsSchizophrenia 11
... delusional beliefs, auditory hallucinations, delusions of grandeur, paranoid delusionsSchizophrenia 12
... delusional beliefs, auditory hallucinations, delusions of grandeur, paranoid delusionsSchizophrenia 13
... delusional beliefs, auditory hallucinations, delusions of grandeur, paranoid delusionsSchizophrenia 14
... delusional beliefs, auditory hallucinations, delusions of grandeur, paranoid delusionsSchizophrenia 2
... delusional beliefs, auditory hallucinations, delusions of grandeur, paranoid delusionsSchizophrenia 3
... delusional beliefs, auditory hallucinations, delusions of grandeur, paranoid delusionsSchizophrenia 4
... delusional beliefs, auditory hallucinations, delusions of grandeur, paranoid delusionsSchizophrenia 5
... delusional beliefs, auditory hallucinations, delusions of grandeur, paranoid delusionsSchizophrenia 6
... delusional beliefs, auditory hallucinations, delusions of grandeur, paranoid delusionsSchizophrenia 7
... delusional beliefs, auditory hallucinations, delusions of grandeur, paranoid delusionsSchizophrenia 9
... delusional beliefs, auditory hallucinations, delusions of grandeur, paranoid delusionsSchizotypal Personality Disorder
... paranoid beliefsSecondarily generalized seizure
... auditory hallucinationsSelf-induced water intoxication and schizophrenic disorders syndrome
... paranoid delusionsSensory seizure
... auditory hallucinationsShprintzen syndorme
... paranoid delusionsSimple partial seizure
... auditory hallucinationsSleeping pill addiction
... paranoiaSteroid abuse
... paranoia, delusionsSubstance Withdrawal Syndrome
... paranoiaSystemic Lupus Erythematosus with Hemolytic Anemia, Susceptibility to, 1
... paranoiaSystemic Lupus Erythematosus with Nephritis, Susceptibility to, 1
... paranoiaSystemic Lupus Erythematosus with Vitiligo, Susceptibility to, 1
... paranoiaSystemic Lupus Erythematosus, Susceptibility to, 1
... paranoiaSystemic Lupus Erythematosus, Susceptibility to, 10
... paranoiaSystemic Lupus Erythematosus, Susceptibility to, 11
... paranoiaSystemic Lupus Erythematosus, Susceptibility to, 12
... paranoiaSystemic Lupus Erythematosus, Susceptibility to, 13
... paranoiaSystemic Lupus Erythematosus, Susceptibility to, 2
... paranoiaSystemic Lupus Erythematosus, Susceptibility to, 3
... paranoiaSystemic Lupus Erythematosus, Susceptibility to, 4
... paranoiaSystemic Lupus Erythematosus, Susceptibility to, 5
... paranoiaSystemic Lupus Erythematosus, Susceptibility to, 6
... paranoiaSystemic Lupus Erythematosus, Susceptibility to, 7
... paranoiaSystemic Lupus Erythematosus, Susceptibility to, 8
... paranoiaSystemic Lupus Erythematosus, Susceptibility to, 9
... paranoiaT
Tolterodine toxicity
... paranoiaTranquilizer addiction
... paranoiaV
Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
... DelusionsVariegate porphyria
... paranoiaVelocardiofacial syndrome
... paranoid delusionsW
West African Trypanosomiasis
... delusionsWolfram Syndrome 2
... paranoiaWolfram's disease
... Paranoia
Conditions listing complications: Delusions:
The following list of conditions
have 'Delusions' or similar
listed as a complication in our database.
The distinction between a symptom and complication is not always clear,
and conditions mentioning this symptom as a complication may also be relevant.
This computer-generated list may be inaccurate or incomplete.
Always seek prompt professional medical advice about the cause
of any symptom.
L
Lupus
... paranoiaP
Porphyria
... paranoia
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Causes of Delusions Based on Risk Factors
This information shows analysis of the list of causes of Delusions based
on whether certain risk factors apply to the patient:
Travel - has the patient travelled recently?
Diabetes - history of diabetes or family history of diabetes?
Doctors and specialists: Who should I consult about Delusions?
Depending on the seriousness of the onset of Delusions, you may want to consult one of the following medical professionals.
Important:In extreme cases, always seek advice from emergency services :
Classifications of Delusions:
Subtypes of Delusions:
Paranoia (104 causes), Auditory hallucinations (37 causes), Hearing voices (2 causes), Abnormal thinking, Severe paranoid reaction
Medical Conditions associated with Delusions:
Mental problems (2841 causes), Behavioral symptoms (4204 causes), Personality symptoms (3677 causes)
Symptoms related to Delusions:
Paranoia (104 causes), Isolation (84 causes), Hearing voices (2 causes), Hallucinations (207 causes), Schizophrenia, Schizotypal personality disorder, Schizoid personality disorder, Psychotic episode, Brief psychotic disorder, Postpartum psychosis, Depression (369 causes), Major depressive episode, Major depressive disorder
Medical articles on signs and symptoms:
Doctor-patient articles related to symptoms and diagnosis:
These general medical articles may be of interest:
See full list of premium articles on symptoms and diagnosis
Medical News summaries about Delusions
Our news pages contain the following medical news summaries about Delusions and many other medical conditions:
More Ways To Research Medical Signs and Symptoms:
» Next page: Causes of Delusions
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