Psychiatry is sometimes a pain when numerous topics start sounding similar. It is not uncommon to develop hallucinations yourself while studying those fancy delusions and their types. If you are looking for a funny yet informative way to learn things right with mnemonics and memes, this is your spot.
Through this blog post, we will help you understand different types of delusions using acronyms and some amazing memes which you will never forget. Here are the topics covered:
- Delusion of Reference
- Delusion of Control
- Delusion of Guilt
- Grandeur Delusion
- Persecutory Delusion
- Fregoli vs Capgras Syndrome
1. Delusion of Reference
“A false belief that insignificant remarks, events, persons, or objects in one’s environment have personal meaning.“
A fascinating psychological anomaly in which patients think that random occurrences or external stimuli have personal importance and are directed directly at them.
This delusion can cause paranoia and the sense that the entire world is conspiring against them.
2. Delusion of Control
“A false belief that another person or group of people or external force controls his actions, thought, behavior, feelings or impulses.“
A type of psychosis in which a person feels they influence events or elements of their surroundings that they do not.
This might take the form of a belief in otherworldly abilities or an unrealistic expectation of one’s power over others.
This form is common in people suffering from schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other mental diseases.
3. Delusion of Guilt
“Feeling guilty or remorseful for no valid reason (for something that a person has not committed).”
A psychological condition is when a person feels accountable for occurrences or actions they did not conduct.
This might take the form of wrong ideas about having committed a crime, causing harm to others, or being punished for prior transgressions.
This type is widespread among people suffering from depression, anxiety disorders, and some types of psychotic illnesses. It can cause extreme emotions of guilt and shame, resulting in a worse quality of life and possibly even suicidal thoughts.
4. Grandeur Delusion = Delusion of Grandiosity
“A person thinks he/she is famous, powerful, wealthy, have exceptional abilities and talents, and keeps praising themselves.“
A form of delusion in which a person overestimates their talents, power, riches, or identity. This might show as fantasies of being a famous celebrity, having remarkable intelligence, or having a particular link with a divinity or public figure.
This sort is widespread in people suffering from bipolar illness, schizophrenia, and other psychoses. It can cause severe impairment in everyday functioning as well as interpersonal issues.
5. Delusion of Persecution = Persecutory Delusion
“One believes that he is treated with malicious intent, hostility “unfriendly way” or harassment.“
A psychological condition in which a person thinks they are being tormented, biased against, or endangered by others, sometimes as part of a broader conspiracy.
This might take the form of mistaken perceptions that he is being watched, monitored, or plotted against by others.
This sort of hallucination is widespread in people suffering from schizophrenia, paranoid personality disorder, and other types of psychoses. It can cause emotions of dread, anxiety, and paranoia, as well as social isolation in the affected individual.
Fregoli vs Capgras Syndrome Mnemonic
Fregoli Syndrome
Someone they know or recognize has been replaced by an imposter “pretender”.
Capgras Syndrome
Different people (more than one) are in fact a single person who changes appearance or is in disguise (masked).
How to Easily Remember Fregoli and Capgras Syndrome
This one is easy and you will never forget it in your life. Just remember:
Fregoli is also my wife!
The complete mnemonic for both syndromes is:
- Capgras- You are NOT my wife! (You look like him and pretend you are him but you are fake [not him])
- Fregoli- You are ALSO my wife! (These 2 people are one person but change his appearance)
Here is a summary of Fregoli vs Capgras Syndrome:
| Feature | Fregoli Syndrome | Capgras Syndrome |
|---|---|---|
| Delusion | A belief that different people are actually a single person in disguise | A belief that a loved one has been replaced by an imposter |
| Identity | Misidentification of familiar individuals | Misidentification of specific individuals |
| Perception | Perception of disguised individuals as familiar | Perception of an imposter as identical to the familiar individual |
| Emotional | Negative emotions toward the disguised individual | Negative emotions toward the imposter |
| Neuropsychology | Associated with right hemispheric dysfunction | Associated with left hemispheric dysfunction |
| Examples | Thinking one’s boss, a celebrity, or a stranger on the street is the same person in disguise | Believing that a spouse, parent, or friend has been replaced by an identical-looking imposter |
This guide for Types of Delusions with mnemonics was made exclusively for PLAB 1 exam. Through this post, we intend to make some part of learning fun to ease off the pressure on those medical students.