An individual who experiences persecutory delusions thinks that someone is conspiring, attacking, or harassing them to cause harm. This is a common delusion, and individuals who experience it may feel anxious, irritable, and aggressive. 

University of Pittsburgh

There are different types of Delusional Disorder, depending on  the specific delusion the individual is experiencing:

- Delusional jealousy
- Bizarre
- Erotomania
- Grandiose
- Persecutory
- Somatic
- Mixed
- Thought broadcasting
- Thought insertion
- Unspecified


Types of Delusional Disorder

Joseph, S. M., &amp; Siddiqui, W. (2023, March 27). Delusional Disorder. National Library of Medicine . https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539855/ 

Delusional Disorder NCBI (updated)

A bizarre delusion consists of illusions of events that are impossible in real life. They can be non-understandable and supernatural in nature.

Bizarre Delusional Disorder

Delusional Jealousy Disorder, also known as Othello Syndrome, occurs when an individual wrongfully believes their sexual partner is unfaithful to them. This type of delusional disorder is found more often in males and can sometimes be associated with suicidal or homicidal ideations. 

Delusional Jealousy Disorder

An erotomaniac delusion, also known as Clérambault syndrome, occurs when an individual believes that another individual, especially one of a higher status, is in love with them. Individuals with this disorder can justify denials of these feelings as an affirmation of love. This disorder is commonly found in women. However, men with this delusion can be more aggressive.

Erotomaniac Delusional Disorder

 A Grandiose Delusion, also known as Megalomania, occurs when an individual believes in their inflated importance or greatness based on a false belief of special powers or greater knowledge. Individuals with these delusions oppose any attempts others make to convince them that they are wrong. 

Grandiose Delusional Disorder

Somatic delusional disorder, also known as monosymptomatic hypochondriacal psychosis, involves an individual feeling abnormalities inside their body, such as being infested with parasites, body dysmorphic delusion, and body odor or halitosis. An individual with this delusion can experience anxiety and nervousness. 

Somatic Delusional Disorder

This refers to a delusional disorder where two or more themes are present. For example- an individual can have a mix of grandiose and somatic delusional disorder and this mix of delusions would be listed in this category. 

Mixed Delusional Disorder

When individuals have a thought broadcasting delusion, they believe others can hear their thoughts.

Thought Broadcasting Delusional Disorder

In a thought insertion delusion, an individual believes that their thoughts are not their own, and instead, someone is putting other thoughts into their minds.

Thought Insertion Delusional Disorder

Sometimes, a delusion does not fit into any of the typical categories. These delusions are typically listed under ‘unspecified types.’ 

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