What Are Delusions of Persecution?
At some point, you’ve probably believed something that later turned out to be untrue. But if you have a rare mental illness called delusional disorder, no amount of facts and reason can change your thinking. People with delusions cannot tell which beliefs are real and which are imaginary.
Delusions come in several types. The most common are delusions of persecution. It’s when you’re convinced that someone is mistreating, plotting against, or planning to harm you or your loved ones. Another type is grandiose delusions, where you have an unrealistic sense of your achievements or self-worth.
Delusions of Persecution Symptoms
If you have persecutory delusions, you might become obsessed to the point that it disrupts your everyday life.
Sometimes, your false belief can be something improbable but not impossible. For instance, you may suspect your neighbors of spying or fear that the police want to torture you. Other times, such delusions are irrational, such as believing that an evil spirit plans to abduct you.
Usually, the delusions spring from misunderstanding or exaggerations of real feelings and experiences. For example, you might perceive a stranger’s innocent glance as threatening.
Sometimes, this paranoia can be associated with:
Hallucinations. This is when you see, hear, or feel things that don’t exist. Hallucinations aren’t very common with delusional disorders. If you have them, they’re related to your delusion. So, if you falsely believe that your co-worker planted spoiled food in your car, you may think you smell something rotten.
Mood changes. You might feel upset, depressed, and irritable. But such moods should last briefly and happen only during your delusional period.
Delusions of Persecution Causes
We don’t exactly know what causes delusions. But experts believe it’s probably genetic. Sometimes, delusions can be a sign of another condition, including:
- Schizophrenia, a different kind of psychotic disorder
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Dementia
- Epilepsy
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Drug intoxication
The state of your mind can also play a part in triggering delusions of persecution. It’s more likely to happen if you:
- Are prone to worrying and overanalyzing
- Are overly sensitive to criticism or tend to misinterpret other people’s comments or gestures
- Have low self-worth or negative thoughts about yourself
- Constantly feel anxious, fearful, or unsettled without reason
- Have trouble sleeping
- Tend to jump to conclusions
Many people with delusions of persecution also have depression or anxiety. They also tend to lack strong personal relationships and are often physically unwell.
Delusions of Persecution Diagnosis
No test can confirm that you have a delusional disorder. But your doctor may perform a physical exam and review your medical and mental history to rule out other causes to make a diagnosis.
You have this or another type of delusional disorder if you meet these criteria:
- You’ve had one or more delusions that lasted a month or longer.
- You haven't been diagnosed with schizophrenia.
- You show obvious abnormal behavior other than your delusions.
- If you’ve had any episodes of mania or depression, they didn’t last longer than your delusional periods.
- Your delusions don’t stem from drugs, another medical condition, or a different mental disorder.
Your doctor may refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist who will do their own evaluation to review your symptoms and confirm that they're not due to another mental health condition.
Delusions of Persecution Treatment
If you have delusional disorder, it can be hard to get help because you might not realize that anything is wrong. Or you might be embarrassed or scared to see a doctor. But treatment is key to feeling better. Treatment options include:
Antipsychotic drugs. Your doctor will likely prescribe medication first. Studies show that antipsychotic drugs such as olanzapine (Zyprexa) and risperidone (Risperdal) can help most people. Other newer antipsychotic medications include clozapine (Clozaril), quetiapine (Seroquel), and ziprasidone (Geodon).
Talk therapy. Studies suggest that a type of psychotherapy called cognitive behavioral therapy may help lessen delusional thinking. But more research is needed to know how much and why. This form of counseling gives you a safe place to discuss your delusions with a mental health expert. Simply talking about your persecutory delusions in the right way can help you control them.
Involuntary treatment. If your delusions pose possible harm to you and others, you may need to stay at a hospital or a treatment center until you’re stable. States and localities have different laws about when and for how long you can be forced to get treatment against your will.
Living With Delusions of Persecution
If you have a mental health condition like delusional disorder, there are ways to help manage your condition. Some include:
Treatment. Studies show that about 50% of patients with a delusional disorder, such as the persecutory type, respond well to medication, and more than 20% notice a decrease in certain symptoms; however, one concern is that those with delusional disorder may refuse treatment.
Tracking your experiences. For some people with certain mental health conditions, keeping a journal of events that may cause triggers can help avoid certain activities or increase awareness of some warning signs.
Peer support groups. Talking to other people who are also trying to manage the condition can be helpful, in addition to medication and therapy. Your doctor or psychiatrist may be able to provide a list of support resources.
Having an active health care team. Because you can have relapses with delusional disorder, it's important to see a mental health counselor or psychiatrist to help manage the condition.
Being aware of physical health. Paying attention to your physical health can play a role in dealing with challenging experiences. Getting enough energy by getting enough sleep or maintaining your blood sugar by watching your diet can play a role in controlling your symptoms.
For Friends and Family
It can be difficult to watch your loved one experience a mental health condition. Here are some helpful tips for supporting someone with mental illnesses that cause delusions, such as persecutory delusions:
- Listen to them and ask them how you can help.
- Try to not make decisions for them.
- Support them by going with them to doctor's appointments.
- Have a crisis plan in place (which can include plans for treatment and going to the hospital).
- Seek support and resources for your own mental health.
Mental health specialists, such as counselors and psychiatrists, can also help your loved ones learn more about delusional disorder so they can help with your symptoms. Family-focused therapy or intervention can also be a resource for teaching your family members how to problem-solve and communicate with you to help with your treatment.
Takeaways
If you have a rare mental illness called delusional disorder, you may have trouble differentiating between real beliefs and imaginary ones. If you have these thoughts, talk to your doctor. They may refer you to a mental counselor who can help with managing your condition. Your symptoms may improve with treatment, including certain medications and therapy.
Delusions of Persecution FAQs
What is an example of a delusion of persecution?
With delusions of persecution, you’re convinced that someone is mistreating, conspiring against, or planning to harm you or your loved ones.
What mental illnesses cause persecutory delusions?
Some mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder, can cause delusions. Mental health specialists will perform different evaluations to rule out other conditions.
What triggers delusional disorder?
Delusional disorder can be triggered by stress or other conditions such as alcohol use disorder. You can also develop the condition from certain mental or emotional factors such as social isolation or low self-esteem.
How to help someone with persecutory delusions
It can be difficult to watch your loved one experience a mental health condition. Some helpful tips for helping someone with persecutory delusions include listening to them and asking how you can help, trying not to make decisions for them, and supporting them by going with them to doctor's appointments. It can also be useful to have a crisis plan in place, which can include plans for treatment and going to the hospital.
How to calm persecutory delusions
Regular visits to your doctor or mental health counselor for therapy and taking any recommended medication are crucial for effectively treating delusionary disorders.
