What it means
A belief that is not true and is not shared by the person's culture or religion, but that the person is sure of. Common kinds are persecutory (others are trying to harm me), grandiose (I have special powers or fame) and somatic (something is wrong with my body). Delusions are seen in schizophrenia, mania, severe depression, dementia and deliriumdih-LEER-ee-umA sudden state of confusion and poor attention that comes and goes over hours or days.Full entry . A delusion is a false belief; a hallucinationhuh-loo-sih-NAY-shunHearing, seeing, feeling, smelling or tasting something that is not really there.Full entry is a false sense, such as hearing voices.
For the nurse
Do not argue with the belief and do not agree with it. Respond to the feeling behind it ("That sounds frightening"), and gently talk about real, present events. Ask whether the belief tells the client to hurt themselves or anyone else, and report that right away.
In a chart
"Client states the staff are poisoning her food; refused breakfast. Reassured, offered sealed packaged foods."
At a glance
| Spanish | idea delirante |
|---|---|
| Also written | delusions, delusional |
Related terms
psych/o
A word root that means mind.
delirium
A sudden state of confusion and poor attention that comes and goes over hours or days.
hallucination
Hearing, seeing, feeling, smelling or tasting something that is not really there.
mania
A period of unusually high energy, mood and activity that is clearly different from the person's usual self.