Schizophrenia Q 60
A client is admitted with a diagnosis of delusions of grandeur. This diagnosis reflects a belief that one is:
A. Highly important or famous
B. Being persecuted
C. Connected to events unrelated to oneself
D. Responsible for the evil in the world
Correct Answer: A. Highly important or famous.
A delusion of grandeur is a false belief that one is highly important or famous. A delusion of grandeur is the false belief in one’s own superiority, greatness, or intelligence. People experiencing delusions of grandeur do not just have high self-esteem; instead, they believe in their own greatness and importance even in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary. Someone might, for example, believe they are destined to be the leader of the world, despite having no leadership experience and difficulties in interpersonal relationships. Delusions of grandeur are characterized by their persistence. They are not just moments of fantasy or hopes for the future.
Option B: A delusion of persecution is a false belief that one is being persecuted. Persecutory delusions occur when someone believes others are out to harm them despite evidence to the contrary. It’s a type of paranoid thinking that can be part of several different mental illnesses. While everyone may experience some false beliefs about people being “out to get them” at times, for people with persecutory delusions, their beliefs take a serious toll on their lives. Their delusions are usually a symptom of a mental illness that requires professional help.
Option C: In people with bipolar disorder, mania and hypomania can comprise various symptoms, from reckless spending to sexual promiscuity. In addition, some more subtle symptoms may also occur, such as the belief held by some patients that everything occurring around them is related somehow to them when in fact it isn’t. This symptom is known as ideas of reference. An extension of those irrational beliefs, delusions of reference, can cause patients to change their behavior significantly because of this mistaken belief.
Option D: A delusion of reference is a false belief that one is connected to events unrelated to oneself or a belief that one is responsible for the evil in the world. A delusion in which the patient believes that unsuspicious occurrences refer to him or her in person. Patients may, for example, believe that certain news bulletins have a direct reference to them, that music played on the radio is played for them, or that car license plates have a meaning relevant to them.