Are those who believe in mediums deluded? Maybe!
Delusional
disorder refers to a condition associated with one or more non-bizarre
delusions of thinking—such as expressing beliefs that occur in real life such
as being poisoned, being stalked, being loved or deceived, or having an
illness, provided no other symptoms of schizophrenia are exhibited.
Delusions
may seem believable at face value, and patients may appear normal as long as an
outsider does not touch upon their delusional themes. Mood episodes are
relatively brief compared with the total duration of the delusional periods.
Also, these delusions are not due to a medical condition or substance abuse.
As you
read these types, think about the various people and groups in the USA that are
clamoring for special attention. Think of those that continually accuse others
of victimizing them despite the fact that they are pampered or cared for.
Themes
of delusions may fall into the following types:
1.
Erotomanic type (patient believes that a person, usually of higher social
standing, is in love with the individual);
2.
Grandiose type (patient believes that he has some great but unrecognized talent
or insight, a special identity, knowledge, power, self-worth, or special
relationship with someone famous or with God);
3.
Jealous type (patient believes his partner has been unfaithful);
4. Mixed type (characteristics of more than one of the above types, but no one
theme dominates); or unspecified type (patient's delusions do not fall in
described categories
4.
Persecutory type (patient believes he is being cheated, spied on,
drugged, slandered, or somehow mistreated);
5. Somatic type (patient
believes he is experiencing physical sensations or bodily dysfunctions—such as
foul odors or insects crawling on or under the skin—or is suffering from a
general medical condition or defect or has been trapped in a body not of their choosing.
Just because a person reports sincerely that he or she BELIEVES they are being persecuted by police, army, UFO Aliens or an abusive spouse does not mean the society must react and try to change its laws and activities.
If you carefully and closely investigate a claim and find it has no factual merit, the accuser may actually believe it is true but he or she could be deluded.
Several years ago I had a radio program on WAKW 93.3 in Cincinnati. I did a series about the deluded people who thought the brand image P&G used was actually a Satanic symbol. They insisted that the president of P&G went on national TV and admitted it.
I clearly then and now say that was totally wrong and delusional or an intentional lie. The radio station received mail accusing me of giving drugs to the kids at our church and demanding that my program be dropped. That adds paranoia and lies to delusions.
Far too often we get caught up in the delusional tales of people and believe their fantasies. This rewards their sickness and make us look very foolish.
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