A Psychopathological Comparison between Delusional Disorder and Schizophrenia (original) (raw)

Clinical and Demographical Profiles of the Patients with Delusional Disorder: a Retrospective Study

Mustafa Kemal Üniversitesi Tıp Dergisi, 2019

Objective: We aimed to investigate demographic, environmental, psychosocial and clinical characteristics in a group of patients with delusional disorder (DD).Method: In a retrospective descriptive study design, cases with DD registered at Psychiatry Clinic of Xxxxxxx XxxxxxxResearch Hospital was conducted. We obtained a sample of 320 DD patients who met the inclusion criteria according to DSM-IV. Socio-demographic and general data, risk factors, clinical picture and diagnosis were collected.Results: Proportion of males versus females was of 1.12. Only 31.25% of patients were illiterate. Of the patients, 56.56% were married and about half of them shared home. About 16,9% of patients had a past history of alcohol consumption, and 2,3% consumed other drugs. The most frequent subtype with the persecutory with 158 cases (49.38%). Ideas of reference and of persecution were found in 83.75% and 81.88% respectively.Conclusions: We found a male preponderance and persecutory subtype with the m...

Neuropsychological profile of delusional disorder

Psychiatria Danubina, 2009

BACKGROUND Previous studies concerned with neuropsychological aspect of delusions, were mainly focused on specific forms of this disorder, such as Cotard or Capgras type of delusions. Comparatively small numbers of investigations were concerned with cognitive deficiencies accompanying the delusions. The substance of this study includes the detection of neuropsychological dysfunctions in patients with delusional disorder, and tracing of these cognitive distortions to appropriate brain regions. SUBJECTS AND METHODS The investigation is designed as a comparative study. Inpatients with delusion are compared with normal subjects from the aspect of the following cognitive functions: attention, memory, visuospatial and visuoconstruction organization, executive ability, verbal divergent thinking. RESULTS Attention, memory (verbal modality) and psychomotor skill tasks are most susceptible to delusional effects. CONCLUSION The neuropsychological profile of patients with delusional disorder in...

A descriptive case-register study of delusional disorder

Data Revues 09249338 00230002 07014174, 2008

Objective. e A few empirically based studies' data on delusional disorder (DD) exist. We aim to describe sociodemographic and clinical correlates of DD and to identify clinical profiles associated to DD and its subtypes. Methods. e This is a case-register study based on all those subjects attending community mental health services within a geographically well-defined area. Four hundred and sixty-seven patients had been diagnosed as DD cases at psychiatric services serving a catchment area of some 607,494 inhabitants living in South Barcelona (Spain) during a three-year period (2001e2003). A thorough systematic review of computerised medical records was used to establish DSM-IV diagnosis, rendering a valid sample of 370 patients who fulfilled DSM-IV criteria for DD. Independent variables gathered include sociodemographic data, family and personal psychiatric history, and comorbid diagnoses on all DSM-IV axes (including GAF). We used descriptive and univariate statistical methods to explore sample frequencies and correlates across DD types. Results. e The mean age of the patients was 55 years and the sample had a mean GAF score of 51 suggesting a poor functionality; 56.5% of the patients were female. The most frequent DD types were persecutory (48%), jealous (11%), mixed (11%) and somatic (5%), whilst 23% qualified for the NOS type. Most frequent symptoms identified were self-reference (40%), irritability (30%), depressive mood (20%) and aggressiveness (15%). Hallucinations were present in 16% of the patients (6% tactile; 4% olfactory). Nearly 9% had a family history of schizophrenia (higher among those with the jealous subtype) and 42% had a comorbid axis II diagnosis (mostly paranoid personality disorder). Depression was significantly more frequent among the persecutory and jealous types. Finally, global functioning was significantly better among jealous and mixed types and worse amongst erotomanic and grandiose cases (p ¼ 0.008). Conclusions. e In the absence of other similar empirical data, this modest study provides unique empirical evidence of some clinical and risk correlates of DD and its subtypes.

Delusional Disorder - A Study from a General Hospital

Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, 1991

Patients 111eeli1lg DSM 111-R criteria for Delusional Disorder (DD) were studicd by the analysis ofcase records. Frequency of DDal~lo~lgall cases offunctio!lal psychosis was found lo be 1.52%. Thcse patients had a later age of onset and were predo~nineotly ~uales when colllpnred to that reported for schizophrenia and i~cute ps'choscs. Pcrsccutory, somatic.ond jealous were the 111ost frequent subtypes. Sonlhticsubtype had an early'onset of illness when co~llpared to other subtypes.

Cognition and functionality in delusional disorder

European Psychiatry, 2019

Background:Even if neurocognition is known to affect functional outcomes in schizophrenia, no previous study has explored the impact of cognition on functionality in delusional disorder (DD). We aimed to assess the effect of clinical characteristics, symptom dimensions and neuropsychological performance on psychosocial functioning and self-perceived functional impairment in DD.Methods:Seventy-five patients with a SCID-I confirmed diagnosis of DD underwent neurocognitive testing using a neuropsychological battery examining verbal memory, attention, working memory and executive functions. We assessed psychotic symptoms with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, and calculated factor scores for four clinical dimensions: Paranoid, Cognitive, Affective and Schizoid. We conducted hierarchical linear regression models to identify predictors of psychosocial functioning, as measured with the Global Assessment of Functioning scale, and self-perceived functional impairment, as measured wit...

Empirical redefinition of delusional disorder and its phenomenology: the DELIREMP study

Comprehensive Psychiatry, 2013

Aims: Since Kraepelin, the controversy has persisted surrounding the nature of delusional disorder (DD) as a separate nosological entity or its clinical subtypes. Nevertheless, there has been no systematic study of its psychopathological structure based on patient interviews. Our goal was to empirically explore syndromic subentities in DD. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 86 outpatients with DSM-IV-confirmed DD using SCID-I. Psychopathological factors were identified by factor analysis of PANSS scores. The association between these factors and clinical variables (as per standardized instruments) was analyzed using uni-and multivariate techniques. Results: PANSS symptoms were consistent with four factors (Paranoid, Cognitive, Schizoid, and Affective dimensions), accounting for 59.4% of the total variance. The Paranoid Dimension was associated with premorbid paranoid personality disorder, more adverse childhood experiences, chronic course, legal problems, worse global functioning, and poorer treatment adherence and response. The Cognitive Dimension was associated with poorer cognitive functioning, premorbid substance abuse, comorbid somatic diseases, mainly non-prominent visual hallucinations, fewer comorbid depressive disorders, and poorer global functioning. The Schizoid Dimension was associated with being single, a family history of schizophrenia, premorbid personality disorders (largely schizoid and schizotypal), non-prominent auditory hallucinations, and dysthymia. Finally, the Affective Dimension was associated with a family history of depression, premorbid obsessive personality, somatic delusions, absence of reference delusions, tactile and olfactory hallucinations, depressive and anxiety disorders, risk of suicide, and higher perceived stress. Conclusion: The identification and clinical validation of four separate psychopathological dimensions in DD provide evidence toward a more accurate conceptualization of DD and its types.

Measurement of Delusional Ideation in the Normal Population: Introducing the PDI (Peters et al. Delusions Inventory)

Schizophrenia Bulletin, 1999

The Peters et al. Delusions Inventory (PDI) was designed to measure delusional ideation in the normal population, using the Present State Examination as a template. The multidimensionality of delusions was incorporated by assessing measures of distress, preoccupation, and conviction. Individual items were endorsed by one in four adults on average. No sex differences were found, and an inverse relationship with age was obtained. Good internal consistency was found, and its concurrent validity was confirmed by the percentages of common variance with three scales measuring schizotypy, magical ideation, and delusions. PDI scores up to 1 year later remained consistent, establishing its test-retest reliability. Psychotic inpatients had significantly higher scores, establishing its criterion validity. The ranges of scores between the normal and deluded groups overlapped considerably, consistent with the continuity view of psychosis. The two samples were differentiated by their ratings on the distress, preoccupation, and conviction scales, confirming the necessity for a multidimensional analysis of delusional thinking. Possible avenues of research using this scale and its clinical utility are highlighted.

Clinical profile, treatment received, follow up and current status of individuals treated for delusional disorder at a tertiary care centre

Kerala Journal of Psychiatry, 2019

Background: Delusional disorder presents with a stable and well-defined delusional system. Many are unwilling to accept that they have a mental disorder or that they require psychiatric treatment. The condition responds to treatment in most cases. This study aims to assess the clinical profile, treatment pattern and response to it, frequency of follow-up and current status of patients previously diagnosed as delusional disorder. Method: The case records of all patients who had come to Psychiatry OPD for 3 years with a diagnosis of delusional disorder according to ICD-10 criteria were taken and data collected. 48 patients were enrolled in the study. The current status was assessed from relatives through telephone calls. Results: The sample consisted more of males; the majority were married. The most common delusion was infidelity (72.9%) followed by persecution (22.9%). Co-morbidity was present in 43.8% of subjects. The best response was with risperidone. At follow up, all were reported to be doing a job or engaging in household work and the majority maintaining improvement. Eight had delusions and six were troublesome. Less than half of the responders were continuing their treatment. Conclusion: Male preponderance and married status were noticeable. The delusion of infidelity was the most common. The delusional disorder has much co-morbidity. Non-compliance with treatment is common. But the level of functioning is found to be reasonably fair irrespective of the treatment status.

Delusions in the general population: A systematic review with emphasis on methodology

Schizophrenia Research, 2019

The presence of delusions is considered a key feature of psychosis, but despite the psychopathological centrality of the concept of delusion, its definition and comprehension is a matter of continuing debate. In recent years studies showing that delusions are common in the general population have accumulated and challenged the way we perceive psychotic illness. In this systematic review, we examine the basis of the psychosis continuum-hypothesis, by reviewing a representative section of the original literature that report measures of delusional ideation in the general population, focusing specifically on methodology. Three online databases were systematically searched for relevant studies. After applying criteria of inclusion and exclusion, 17 articles were included for comprehensive review. Estimates of the distribution of delusions in the general population vary substantially, as does the mode of assessment. The methodology relies with few exceptions exclusively on self-report and fully structured interview by lay person. We conclude that measures of delusions in the general population should be interpreted cautiously due to inherent difficulties in methodology. Hypothesizing a continuum of delusion between normality and full-blown psychosis is deemed premature based on the reviewed studies.