Delusions

Definition:
Delusions are false beliefs that are firmly held. Types of delusions include:

• Delusions of grandeur - the false belief that one is famous or publicly important or is a god
• Delusional jealousy - believing a spouse or partner is unfaithful when it is not true
• Persecutory or paranoid delusions - believing one is being followed, spied upon, secretly listened to, etc. - see Paranoia
• Delusions of reference - thinking that random events contain a special meaning for you alone
• Other "bizarre" delusions - things that are impossible, such as believing one is a werewolf, that one's spouse is an octopus, or that giant worms make subway tunnels

Delusions are one aspect of the psychotic features of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, as well as some other psychiatric and medical conditions.

Pronunciation:
de-LOO-zhuns