Delusions are most often the result of a mental illness, including more and more common depression. Few people know that delusions can also occur in people who use drugs, legal highs and alcohol. Delusions can also occur in elderly people suffering from senile dementia or Alzheimer's disease. Find out what else is causing delusions.

Delusions - what is it?

The most common cause of delusionsismental illness .DelusionsThese are morbid, unjustified judgments on a given topic that are inconsistent with reality and do not disappear under the influence of logical argumentation or despite the presence of evidence pointing to their falsehood.

These types ofdisturbances in the content of thinkingcan also be caused by some drugs, legal highs, as well as alcohol. Delusions also appear in the course of diseases that affect seniors, such as Alzheimer's disease or senile dementia.

Delusions - drugs and boosters

Taking drugs can lead to various mental disorders (most often schizophrenia), manifested by hallucinations and delusions. An example would beamphetamine psychosis , which is one of the side effects of amphetamine and methamphetamine use. In addition to delusions, it also manifests itself in hallucinations, disturbed thinking, hyperactivity and panic. Similar symptoms are given bypost-cocaine psychosisorafter marijuana .

Alsodopalacze , i.e. all kinds of products containing psychoactive substances, can contribute to the occurrence of delusions.

Delusions - alcohol

Delusions can also appear in people who regularly drink large amounts of alcohol.Alcoholic deliriumappears after about 2-4 days after stopping intensive drinking. Then visual, auditory and, less often, verbal hallucinations are characteristic. In addition, the patient develops, inter alia, seizures, emotional disorders (anxiety, euphoria) and restlessness.

Alcohol can also contribute to the development of Othello's syndrome. It is a psychotic disorder that most often affects male alcoholics. Its essence is pathological jealousy for your partner. The patient is convinced of her numerous betrayals, despite the fact that there is no evidence or logical premises for it. Even so, it still searches personalpartner's belongings, and even installs cameras in the house and hires private investigators. All this to find evidence of an imaginary betrayal.

Delusions - delirium syndrome

Delirium syndrome, otherwisedelirium , can be caused not only by alcohol. This type of disturbance of consciousness can appear immediately after waking up from anesthesia, several hours after surgery, and even a few days later. The patient is confused, unsure of himself, fearful. Other causes of delirium syndrome include diseases with high fever, electrolyte disturbances, dehydration and uremic encephalopathy.

Delusions - Confusional Syndrome

Confusion is the deepest state of disturbance of consciousness. It is manifested by a lack of contact with the environment, disorientation, disturbed thinking, restlessness, as well as delusions and hallucinations. It occurs in the course of cerebral circulation failure, infections, poisoning, metabolic disorders (diabetes, liver and kidney damage), and sometimes as a complication of endogenous psychoses (mania, catatonia).

Delusions - paranoid schizophrenia

Paranoid schizophrenia is characterized by delusions of color and complex, sometimes even bizarre. It is impossible for them to exist for real, they cannot be related to reality:

  • delusions of size- the patient introduces himself as someone known, rich, influential, with special connections (e.g. as a politician);
  • persecutory delusions -the sick person believes that he or she is being followed or pursued, even though there is no objective basis for believing so. He believes that certain people (more or less specified) are constantly following him, eavesdropping, peeping, and even filming with a hidden camera. He is convinced that others want to hurt him;
  • delusions of unveiling- the patient believes that his thoughts are passed on to third parties without his participation;
  • princely delusions(referring) - the patient thinks that he or she is of particular interest to the environment, e.g. he or she is convinced that people around him (e.g. in the queue to the cash register) are talking about him, they look provocatively in his direction, laugh at him;
  • delusions of possession- the patient is convinced that others influence him in various ways, that they control his behavior from the outside, e.g. through a chip implanted under the skin or telepathy;
  • hypochondriac delusions- the patient claims to be seriously ill, for example with AIDS or cancer. He interprets each sensation as a symptom of a terminal illness;
  • nihilistic delusions- the patient is convincedthat he is dead or that some of his organs have decayed;

Delusions - depression

A person suffering from depression gradually loses the joy of life, hitherto interests and limits his life activity. After all, he evaluates his present as well as his future pessimistically. He is convinced of the growing sense of losing the meaning of life, a sense of hopelessness. This state of affairs can lead todepressive delusions . Then the sick person is convinced of their littleness, poverty, sinfulness or guilt. He may even be convinced that his body is decaying and that his loved ones are destroyed.

Delusions - diseases that affect the elderly

  • Alzheimer's disease- apart from the fact that the patient forgets about recent events, loses his sense of orientation and has problems with everyday activities, he is also delusional. Then it may, among others accuse the family of stealing items or money;
  • senile dementiacan be caused by Alzheimer's disease, but also by other neurodegenerative diseases. Dementia leads to intellectual deterioration, memory impairment, slow thinking, confusion, personality changes, unbalanced behavior, and to delusions and hallucinations;

Category:

Psychiatry