Delusional Disorder - Examples

Examples

A 40 year old woman lost a significant amount of weight over the course of 2 years. She originally weighed 60 kg. She dropped down to 29 kg, which can be unhealthy and potentially life threatening. Initially the doctors diagnosed her with anorexia nervosa, as she was malnourished due to her undereating. A further examination of the patient revealed that she was delusional and convinced that eating food would harm her body, so she decided to stop eating. The doctors decided that she didn't suffer from anorexia nervosa, but rather a somatic delusional disorder. She was later treated and the doctors were able to help her get back to a healthy weight.

A teenager suddenly gained major delusions regarding his life and the people around him. He began to believe that he was part of an elite group of people called the Illuminati, claimed to be friends with multiple celebrities, and had thoughts of grandeur regarding his physical state. It first seemed that he was just lying, but through several months of observation, doctors saw severe cognitive dissonance, to the point where he actually believed what he was saying, although they were obvious lies. A longitudinal study is currently being conducted through monthly sessions, however treatment was never sought out because of depth of his dissonance, and the patient continues to suffer from a major delusional disorder.

Read more about this topic:  Delusional Disorder

Famous quotes containing the word examples:

    Histories are more full of examples of the fidelity of dogs than of friends.
    Alexander Pope (1688–1744)

    It is hardly to be believed how spiritual reflections when mixed with a little physics can hold people’s attention and give them a livelier idea of God than do the often ill-applied examples of his wrath.
    —G.C. (Georg Christoph)

    There are many examples of women that have excelled in learning, and even in war, but this is no reason we should bring ‘em all up to Latin and Greek or else military discipline, instead of needle-work and housewifry.
    Bernard Mandeville (1670–1733)