INFORMATION ON DELUSIONAL DISORDER

Delusional disorder is a type of serious mental illness in which a person cannot tell what is real from what is imagined. Delusional disorder most often occurs in middle to late life and is slightly more common in women than in men.
The main consequences of this disorder are the presence of strong faith in something that is untrue.

TYPES OF DELUSIONAL DISORDER

There are different types of delusional disorder:-

1. Erotomanic.
2. Grandiose.
3. Jealous.
4. Somatic.
5. Mixed.

CAUSES OF DELUSIONAL DISORDER

The exact cause of delusional disorder is not yet known. Researchers believe that, Genetic, Biological and Environmental factors can play important role in development of delusional disorder.

SYMPTOMS OF DELUSIONAL DISORDER

1. Irritable.
2. Angry.
3. Low mood.
4. Hallucinations.

DIAGNOSIS OF DELUSIONAL DISORDER

1. X-rays
2. Blood tests

TREATMENT OF DELUSIONAL DISORDER

Treatment for delusional disorder most often includes medication and psychotherapy (a type of counseling); however, delusional disorder is highly resistant to treatment with medication alone.

Psychotherapy:- can help the person recognize and correct the underlying thinking that has become distorted.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT):- helps the person learn to recognize and change thought patterns and behaviors that lead to troublesome feelings.
Family therapy can help families deal more effectively with a loved one who has delusional disorder, enabling them to contribute to a better outcome for the person.

Medications: - Medications include Conventional anti-psychotics, chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin), haloperidon (Haldol), thiothixene (Navane), trifluoperazine (Stelazine), perphenazine (Trilafon) and thioridazine (Mellaril). These medicines work by blocking dopamine receptors in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter believed to be involved in the development of delusions.