Delusions: events or facts that one relates to oneself. Delusions of involvement are a delusion that often occurs in psychosis. How do you recognize a relationship delusion, what influence does it have on the person and what is the treatment for this?
What is delusions of relation?
Delusions of reference are a psychiatric condition in which everyday or coincidental events are interpreted as relating to one’s own person. Delusions of relation occur in psychoses. A well-known example of this is schizophrenia: delusions of reference, like other delusions, are common.
Explanation of the disease
Delusions are a delusion of the person. This concerns everyday events that the person interprets as relating to his own person. Usually this is in a negative sense. When this is experienced in a negative sense, a delusion is of a paranoid nature.
A person who has a delusional relationship interprets a certain event as a special sign meant for him or her. For example, a cyclist who happens to pass by when the person is about to cross is accused of doing so on purpose to hinder the person. Beating the rug is also done on purpose: to leave the other person in the dust. A car that honks does this to scare the person. A dog that comes running does so to attack the person.
Almost every event is viewed in itself in a negative sense. One then speaks of paranoia. There is exaggerated suspicion. Although paranoia goes a bit further: like making up the idea that there are burglars in the house, negative delusions of relation are part of paranoia.
Sometimes a delusion is positive: it makes the person feel loved or interesting. For example, when a man sits opposite a woman in a crowded train. The woman may then think that the man is doing this because he is in love with the woman. This can make the woman feel attractive. The woman has a positive delusion of relationships.
Consciousness with unconscious content
A delusion is the result of the consciousness being flooded with unconscious content. Events that are recorded are misinterpreted by the brain. Consciousness responds to this through suspicion, fear or little self-confidence. These reactions have a strengthening effect on the unconscious, causing delusions of relationship to grow.
It is not the case that people with delusions of relation choose this: they do not want to relate events or facts to themselves. But the thoughts are forced upon them: this way they have to think about it and draw a conclusion from it. This has negative consequences for people with delusions about their ability to survive in society. After all, every event can hide a great danger. This also causes irritation: the person is convinced that he is constantly being harassed or that others are deliberately getting in his way. Aggressiveness towards others may arise, or the fear of being around people.
Erotic delusions of relation
A separate form of relationship delusion is the erotic relationship delusion. This involves non-existent relationships that are the result of certain events. For example, when a teacher places his hand on a student’s shoulder, the latter may conclude that the teacher wants a relationship with the student. Or a cashier who puts the money in the hands of a man: by touching the hands, the man can think that the cashier wants a relationship with the man. But the aforementioned incident, a man who sits opposite a woman in a crowded train, causing the woman to think that the man is in love with her, is also an erotic delusion of relationship.
In some cases, this can make the person with delusions feel better: loved and attractive. If the erotic delusions of relationships become too prominent, this can actually have a negative effect on the person. The person with erotic delusions of relationship may also overreact and start harassing the other person because he or she believes that the other person wants a relationship.
Treatment of delusions of reference
Like all psychotic illnesses, delusions can be treated through therapy, where certain medications can provide support. Because delusions are often part of psychosis, treatment focuses mainly on the underlying disease.