Delusion of Persecution: A Review of the Phenomenon and Implications for Clinical Practice
Delusions of persecution, also known as persecutory delusions, refer to a false belief held by an individual that they are being persecuted, watched, or harmed in some way. This phenomenon has been studied extensively in clinical and academic settings, and is thought to be a symptom of several psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, delusional disorder, schizoaffective disorder, and bipolar disorder. The purpose of this paper is to review the literature on delusion of persecution, to discuss the implications of this phenomenon for clinical practice, and to suggest directions for future research.
The first recorded accounts of delusions of persecution date back to the 19th century. In his seminal work, Psychopathology of Everyday Life, Sigmund Freud (1901) described a patient with persecutory delusions who believed that he was being followed and pursued. Since then, a number of studies have investigated the prevalence and characteristics of delusions of persecution. For example, a study conducted by Breier and colleagues (1993) in a sample of individuals with schizophrenia found that 89% of participants reported experiencing persecutory delusions. Subsequent research has suggested that delusions of persecution may be related to a number of psychological and environmental factors, including childhood trauma, social isolation, and substance abuse (Konrad, 2018).
The implications of delusions of persecution for clinical practice are numerous. First, it is important to assess the severity of these delusions in order to determine a suitable treatment plan. For individuals experiencing mild to moderate delusions of persecution, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can be effective in helping them to challenge and reframe their beliefs (Garety et al., 2001). Additionally, pharmacological interventions, such as antipsychotics, can be used to reduce the intensity of the delusions (Konrad, 2018). For individuals experiencing severe delusions of persecution, inpatient treatment may be necessary.
In conclusion, delusions of persecution are a phenomenon that has been studied extensively in clinical and academic settings. They are thought to be a symptom of several psychiatric disorders, and may be related to a number of psychological and environmental factors. The implications of this phenomenon for clinical practice are numerous, and it is important to assess the severity of these delusions in order to determine a suitable treatment plan. Further research is needed to gain a more complete understanding of the nature of delusions of persecution and the implications for clinical practice.
References
Breier, A., Buchanan, R. W., Kirkpatrick, B., & Carpenter, W. T. (1993). Persecutory delusions in schizophrenia: prevalence and clinical characteristics. American Journal of Psychiatry, 150(7), 1089-1094.
Freud, S. (1901). Psychopathology of Everyday Life. London: Allen & Unwin.
Garety, P. A., Kuipers, E., Fowler, D., Freeman, D., Bebbington, P. E., Dunn, G., & Hadley, C. (2001). A cognitive model of the positive symptoms of psychosis. Psychological Medicine, 31, 189-195.
Konrad, N. (2018). Delusions of persecution: What causes them and how can we treat them? Psychology Today. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-distracted-couple/201807/delusions-persecution-what-causes-them-and-how-can-we-treat-them