Not many people know what persecutory delirium is. This symptom accompanies a disease such as schizophrenia. This is a delusion of persecution, which is a symptom of serious mental disorders. Those suffering from these diseases can be dangerous to others, so not only psychiatrists, but also doctors of other speci alties should pay attention to their detection and treatment.
What is persecutory delusions
Delusional symptoms associated with persecution can affect all spheres of life and activity of a sick person. The delusions of persecution are closely related to the ideas that someone is trying to harm him or his property, is planning and systematically executing a murder plan, is contemplating taking possession of property, stealing savings, humiliating or mocking, taking revenge, peeping, wanting to take his wife / husband away, plotting jail and so on.
Participants in delusions can be relatives, neighbors, law enforcement officials, doctors, workersservices and utilities, as well as non-existent characters, such as aliens, witches, ghosts, "dark forces".
Depending on the disease, delusional symptoms may have a clear line associated with life circumstances, or fancifully change into fantastic absurd pictures.
In what diseases is the delusion of persecution found
The most common disorder associated with this delusion is paranoid schizophrenia.
Alcohol withdrawal psychosis, previously taken for several days, can cause delusional symptoms with the development of ideas of persecution and influence.
Chronic delusional disorders can haunt a person throughout his life, including in the form of delusions of persecution. Unlike schizophrenia, delusions are well-structured, devoid of pretentiousness, and can be so real as to be difficult to refute.
In vascular dementia, delusional symptoms can be superimposed on the main manifestations of the disease in older people.
Clinical manifestations in schizophrenia
Paranoid schizophrenia develops at a young age and is hereditary.
Symptoms of delusions of persecution can be outlined in ornate details that have nothing to do with ordinary life. Auditory and visual hallucinations may be present. Delusions of persecution in schizophrenia are accompanied by fear, anxiety and restlessness. The patient constantly feels that something threatens him. There is not the slightest chance of overthrowing him. In an acute state, such patients are dangerous, as they can even attack a suspected object in an attempt to "defend themselves." For themselves, these patients also pose a danger, because, fleeing from the “enemy”, they can jump out the window or throw themselves under the wheels of a car.
Delirium symptoms in alcoholism
Persecutory delusions can develop in alcohol abusers when alcohol is withdrawn. Often this occurs when the binge is interrupted, but sometimes delirium occurs against the background of residual alcohol consumption. This should be remembered by doctors of general somatic hospitals, where drinking patients with various pathologies often end up.
Delusional symptoms in such patients are often associated with mythical characters, which may also be reflected in hallucinations. Examples of delusions of persecution in alcoholics are the presence of devils and other frightening objects that affect them and try to cause harm. Therefore, these patients should be kept on the ground floor, or in rooms where there is no way to open windows, or there are bars so that they do not jump out into the street in delirium tremens.
Prosecution ideas for chronic delusional disorders and vascular dementia
Chronic delusional disorders in mental patients often involve ideas of persecution associated with households and neighbors. They are not amenable to persuasion and are poorly corrected with medication. Such patients will talk about lifetroubles to everyone you meet, complaining about relatives, children, neighbors. The nonsense in this case is clearly structured and very similar to the truth, if you do not go into details. Interviewing relatives in this case helps to understand the situation and take action. Often, the "culprits" of delusional influences themselves bring their loved one, suffering from a mental disorder, to see a doctor.
Patients with vascular dementia may express ideas of persecution that are poorly explained due to cognitive impairments. Delirium can be abrupt, poorly structured, devoid of color. More often, dementia patients include relatives who live nearby in their delusional stories. Sometimes they fear the persecution of relatives who have already died. Such patients should be closely monitored so that they do not leave the home or medical institution, because due to memory impairment, it will be impossible for them to find their way back.
Help for delusional disorders
If you suspect persecutory delusions of a person, you should see a psychiatrist. This can be done both on an outpatient basis and at home. The doctor will prescribe antipsychotic medications that will block delusional symptoms. Such patients are regular clients of psychiatric clinics, therefore, in order to avoid deterioration of the condition, they must take medication regularly. Relatives or caregivers should have a clear understanding of the behavior of patients and their treatment.
When there is a threat to the life and he alth of other people orthe patient's condition should be urgently hospitalized in a hospital, where an exacerbation attack is stopped by medication.
