Delusions

The subject of delusion is one that is intense and life changing to any schizophrenic who were to research through it. They might not believe how deluded their life was until they actually relate to the scope of the deluded beliefs of other schizophrenics and research.

First of all, a delusion is a firmly belief or hallucination about something that it isn’t true and can be proven untrue. Delusions are extremely common in schizophrenia, occurring in more than 90% of patients as my research has shown. A deluded person is said to have strong wrong beliefs and fantasies that is false or unscientific.

Common schizophrenic delusions:

False persecution or belief that other people are out to cheat, conspire against, plot, discriminate against, victimize, harass, spy on or poison them, directed at them or their family members

Suspicion of every little thing. For instance, when walking down the street, he or she may sense that every eye is on him or her, that people are talking about them, that every phone being used is a device for monitoring their every move and that even the guy sweeping the road is an “agent” observing them.

A patient might believe that the radio or TV is talking directly to them or about them. Or a neighbor is using telepathy to read and control their thoughts.

A common variant of such bizarre delusions is the belief that the CIA or FBI or some secret government agency has been able to implant wires or a radio device into the patient’s brain which enables them to monitor his or her thoughts, and even dictate their behavior and actions.

Other common delusions in schizophrenia are what are referred to as “delusions of grandeur” where the patient might believe he or she is someone famous or important, or knows someone famous or important. Sufferers might believe they are historical figures like Jesus Christ or Napoleon Bonaparte, or they might think they are the President of the United States. They might refer to their “close friendship” with the Pope or Mick Jagger.

A particular dangerous delusion is one where the patient believes he or she has superhuman powers. This is probably brought on by the popular culture of superheroes in comic books, TV and the movies. Regardless of the source, patients might hurt themselves if they choose to call on their “superpowers” for example flying off a 10-story building, or leaping across a river.

Many people with schizophrenia experience hallucinations and delusions. These hallmark schizophrenia symptoms can understandably cause distress and disorientation. Studies have shown that most people who deal with these schizophrenia symptoms have developed their own coping strategies, particularly when dealing with auditory hallucinations or "hearing voices."

Schizophrenia Hallucinations: Coping Strategies

When voices are distressing, some patients may self-adjust their prescription medications or use drugs or alcohol to minimize the hallucinations. But there are better ways to deal with this issue.

Other methods for coping with hallucinations include:

• Fighting back. This technique involves yelling or talking back to the hallucinations. While resisting the voices may seem like a good idea, studies show that the "fight or flight" response can lead to depression, since the voices typically don't go away on their own.

• Passive acceptance. Although accepting that the voices are part of life for a person with schizophrenia seems to have more positive emotional effects, some argue that the danger of acceptance is that the hallucinations may start to consume your life.

• Mindfulness techniques. In a trial of a therapy called Acceptance and Commitment, participants significantly reduced the effects of their symptoms, and had slightly fewer re-hospitalizations, than a control group using traditional therapy. With this philosophy, the patient agrees to acknowledge the voices but does not agree to accept guidance from them.

Schizophrenia Delusions: Coping Strategies

For coping with delusions, not all strategies work for every person, and many people report using more than one strategy.

• Distraction. Focusing on a task, reciting numbers, taking a nap, or watching television can help distract the person from delusional, often paranoid, thoughts. A recent study showed that the choice of distraction is important. Researchers found that choosing favorite music or a news program was a more effective distraction tool than white noise. The study also reported that a personal music player with headphones might be the best way to listen to music when trying to ignore delusions. Headphones minimize other distractions, and people who used them tended to stick with this technique even after the study was completed.

• Asking for help. Some people with schizophrenia seek out the company of friends and family when they are experiencing delusions. Friends and family can help by providing a distracting activity, or even just a listening ear.

• Religion and meditative activities. People who are religious believers report using prayer or meditation to help deal with their active schizophrenia symptoms. Yoga, exercise, or walking can also shift the focus from the delusions and provide a sense of calm.

• Be selective. Some voices are positive and some voices are negative. An organization called Hearing Voices takes an interesting approach: The voices may not be physical beings, but they should still treat you with the respect that you expect from other people. This group recommends engaging with the voices, but politely. The patient should ask the voices to make an appointment, or tell the negative voices that they are not welcome until they have useful information.

Schizophrenia Symptoms: Family Reaction

While delusions and hallucinations may not always upset the person with schizophrenia, they are always very real. So how loved ones react to these symptoms is important. Without meaning to, loved ones can cause distress by betraying fear or worry, or by dismissing the patient’s experience.

Family therapy can help the loved ones of a person with schizophrenia know how to react when schizophrenia symptoms manifest themselves. It can also teach families about warning signs that their loved one may be using damaging coping mechanisms, like self-medicating with illicit drugs or alcohol.

My experience

My parents don’t care about my schizophrenia. I feel that they don’t understand what schizophrenia is but my aunt takes a personal approach in communicating with me and advises rest and sunshine and gives me money to eat well. My parents are busy with their own lives and take care of the family well. Despite this my voices tells me that I am Buddha in my past life, I read Buddhist scriptures and considered being Buddhist once before I was healed by a Christian priest of my many years of intense pain after accepting Jesus into my life. When I was at home for the past year, I meditate 2 to 5 hours a day for meditative mood and felt at peace with life and myself to cope with my medication side effects. I feel that I need a change in medication, now that I read about these delusions as I still believe I am someone prominent in my past life. I cope with music and movies as therapy.

While I was at school, I did not experience any deluded beliefs except that intense harm will come to me if I eat at the canteen, so much so was my fear that I couldn’t take it and has to quit school. Such situations can’t be helped, you have to consult a counselor as it arises as you will take her advice as she/he confirms with you that people care and do not seek to harm you.

Reference:
http://battlingforhealth.com/2008/04/common-delusions-in-schizophrenia-various-types-and-the-danger-they-pose-to-you/
http://www.symptomsofschizophrenia.net/common-delusions-in-schizophrenia.html