Psychosis: Understanding What Delusions Are & How They Happen

Psychosis is not a diagnosis. It is a symptom of a bigger problem.

Do you know someone with delusions or psychotic behaviors? If so, you are probably aware of the fact that their delusional beliefs make it difficult to engage them in conversation.

This article (and video) will summarize what delusions are and provide brief information on hallucinations as well.

Psychosis may include a variety of symptoms that make it difficult to exist in everyday life. Delusions are often apart of this psychosis. Delusions are false beliefs held to be true, despite evidence to the contrary.

They are held with strong convictions. Delusions are fixed and unable to be altered with facts. If you try to challenge the belief of someone who is delusional, you will most likely end up in an argument with the person. Communication with someone who struggles with delusions will include a variety of skills. We will talk more about this next week.

What are delusions?

Delusions are not always bizarre (i.e., unrealistic, strange, or psychotic). Non-bizarre delusions include beliefs that could be true. A non-bizarre delusion may include the strong belief that a mass disease can kill millions of people around the world. We all know that this is a possibility. On the other hand, a bizarre delusion may be that you are having an affair with your cousin.

Delusional beliefs become more complicated and dangerous when they are realistic or likely to be true. For example, a delusion that your spouse is having an affair may trigger you to hire a company to follow your spouse around.

Learn more about this topic in this video below: