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Persecutory delusions are a delusional condition in which the affected person believes they are being persecuted. Specifically, they have been defined as containing two central elements:[1]
- The individual thinks that harm is occurring, or is going to occur.
- The individual thinks that the perceived persecutor has the intention to cause harm.
According to the DSM-IV-TR, persecutory delusions are the most common form of delusions in schizophrenia, where the person believes "he or she is being tormented, followed, tricked, spied on, or ridiculed."[2] In the DSM-IV-TR, persecutory delusions are the main feature of the persecutory type of delusional disorder.
Contents
Legal aspects[edit | edit source]
When the focus is to remedy some injustice by legal action, they are sometimes called "querulous paranoia".[3]
In cases where reporters of stalking behavior have been judged to be making false reports, a majority of them were judged to be delusional.[4][5]
If the delusion results in imprisonment or involuntary commitment, the person may feel justified in this belief.
Treatment[edit | edit source]
Persecutory delusions are usually treated with medications for schizophrenia, especially when positive symptoms are present. Both first-generation antipsychotics and second-generation antipsychotics may be useful.[6] Cognitive behavioral therapy has also been used.
See also[edit | edit source]
- Grandiose delusions
- In Object relations theory see: Splitting (psychology), Paranoid-schizoid and depressive positions, and Paranoid anxiety
- Paranoia
- Querulant
- Thought disturbances
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Freeman, D. & Garety, P.A. (2004) Paranoia: The Psychology of Persecutory Delusions. Hove: PsychoIogy Press. Page 13. ISBN 1-84169-522-X
- ↑ (2000) Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-IV, Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.
- ↑ (2000) Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-IV, Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.
- ↑ "After eight uncertain cases were excluded, the false reporting rate was judged to be 11.5%, with the majority of false victims suffering delusions (70%)." DOI:10.1177/0093854803259235
This citation will be automatically completed in the next few minutes. You can jump the queue or expand by hand - ↑ DOI:10.1891/1559-4343.10.3.163
This citation will be automatically completed in the next few minutes. You can jump the queue or expand by hand - ↑ Garety, Philippa A.; Freeman, Daniel B.; Bentall, Richard P. (2008). Persecutory delusions: assessment, theory, and treatment, 313, Oxford [Oxfordshire]: Oxford University Press.
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