From calling yourself a “delulu” to saying you’re in a “delusional state,” the word “delusion” has become an important part of cultural slang. But I’m not sure that’s how it should be. These terms are spread so casually on social media that it feels like the real meaning behind the delusion has been lost.
Delusions, or fixed beliefs about things that are not true, can be a symptom of a variety of mental health conditions. Using this phrase casually can inadvertently perpetuate negative stereotypes about mental health. So how did the word “delusion” first enter the mainstream lexicon?
Experts featured in this article:
Leon Garber, LMHC, is a psychotherapist in New York.
Emily Green, Psy.D., is a psychologist in Washington, DC.
Dr. Stephanie Freitag is a practicing clinical psychologist in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Georgia, and Florida and an adjunct professor at Emory Medical School.
What is delusion?
The DSM-V defines a delusion as a firm, fixed, false belief that cannot be changed despite conflicting evidence. “Clinically, people with delusional disorder carry [at least] Emily Green, a psychologist in Washington, D.C., says paranoia is often associated with mental disorders such as schizophrenia or severe bipolar disorder.
“Delusions are beliefs, often extreme, about oneself, others, and the world, primarily in response to difficult realities and resulting feelings,” explains psychotherapist Leon Garber. He added that they can provide hope, meaning, comfort, clarity and self-esteem when a person cannot find other ways to enter these states, and that people experiencing delusions may be highly resistant to change. “Delusions can significantly impact an individual’s life in extremely negative ways, affecting relationships and reputation,” he said. “No amount of factual evidence seems to change them, and individuals, driven by a strong fear of losing them, look for more reasons to maintain them.”
“There is also a wide range of delusions, ranging from what we call ‘bizarre’ delusions (beliefs in the impossible, such as the ability to control the minds of others) to ‘non-bizarre’ delusions, which are delusions that may actually occur in reality but do not. What happened. “It’s not true, like believing you’re the president,” Dr. Green said. ” There are also delusions of persecution — the false belief that others are plotting to harm you — and delusions of grandeur, in which someone believes they are more important than they actually are, Garber noted.
It’s important to note that when it comes to delusions, a lack of insight is inherent. If the person can admit that the belief is foolish or impossible, then it is not a delusion.
Why do delusions cause problems?
Problems arise when delusions interfere with a person’s ability to empathize with others’ perspectives, turn doubt into profound distrust of the world, and/or isolate a person from the broader community. Some delusions may be relatively harmless, but the real impact is in how much it affects functioning (for example, not having a job because you believe you are president) or unsafe behavior (trying to climb the White House fence).
“While some people may hold fixed, false beliefs that do not have a significant impact on their lives, when we think about the clinical manifestations of delusional disorder, we are likely to be talking about people who have a stubborn persistence in such false beliefs. Man, it gives them a hard time.
Meanwhile, clinical psychologist Dr. Stephanie Freitag says paranoia is often synonymous with delusions. For example, when people exhibit paranoid delusions, they may believe that others want to directly harm them in some way, even if there was no intention. An event as harmless as a stranger walking nearby may be interpreted as dangerous. “There’s also a very interesting concept of erotic delusion, where a person is convinced that another person is in love with them, and it often involves celebrities,” she said. This has even led to crimes such as stalking.
To summarize, there are many ways that delusional thoughts and behaviors can manifest themselves and the problems they can cause. Regardless, treatment can be challenging. “When delusions lead to disengagement or distrust in the therapeutic relationship, it can be difficult for the therapist to treat,” Dr. Freitag said.
So why is “delusional” slang so popular?
Delusion has become a pejorative term, similar to when people say they are “obsessive-compulsive” when they are meticulous, or “bipolar” when they are depressed – both problematic uses of the word. “Psychological terms often find their way into popular lexicon because we want to make sense of life experiences that feel uncomfortable and can’t always be put into words,” Freitag said. “Slang helps us feel less alone in challenging experiences.”
Dr. Green believes that the proliferation of “pop psychology” terms is oversimplified and often fails to accurately convey the meaning of the original terms, and stems from a desire to describe behavior in language that does not yet exist. Since it is related to “delulu”, it seems to capture the behavior or belief of a person choosing to see the world in a way that is favorable to themselves.
She is also quick to point out that the clinical criteria for “delusions” are not met in the pop psychology literature; the beliefs are almost entirely unsurprising and more conducive to logic. “The person may have the ability to acknowledge that the belief may not be true, but that it is good for them to believe it anyway,” she said. Also worth noting: True delusional disorder only affects 0.05% to 0.1% of adults, so statistically speaking, every person who calls themselves “dellulu” on social media is potentially delusional. Very little sex.
Problems with saying you’re delusional – when you’re not delusional
“Delulu” behavior may share some superficially similar elements with the clinical definition of the disorder, but ultimately the meaning is completely different and the two cannot be conflated. Dr. Green said the slang is problematic because it diminishes the seriousness and complexity of the condition. “When it is used clinically, it is descriptive. Calling someone ‘delulu’ is usually not a neutral description of their behavior or performance, but rather a judgmental or negative description,” she points out.
Freitag points out that by downplaying certain experiences, we may also try to reduce our own cognitive dissonance or discomfort, but this is often just a Band-Aid. “In my opinion, it [the slang] Often reflects poor mental health literacy coupled with discomfort sitting with a range of emotions, especially those that don’t feel very fun.
Still, the term’s popularity makes sense. In the modern world, where we are constantly bombarded and overwhelmed by information and stimulation, it can be difficult to feel grounded. Freitag said perhaps the concept of delusion encapsulates a collective feeling that, in a time when daily life is filled with uncertainty, we are unencumbered by the world around us — our bodies, our communities, our futures.
Ultimately, “paranoia” has nothing to do with clinical paranoia, and that’s not even funny. Of course, it’s normal for everyone to feel uncomfortable at times and try to downplay the situation. But it’s important to be wary of using terminology that can further entrench stigma and lead to greater confusion about what these actual psychological conditions are and what they are not.
Sarah Radin is a Writer and publicist living in Philadelphia. Her articles on online trends, style, youth culture, mental health, wellness culture, and identity have been featured in The New York Times, Glamor, Self, Teen Vogue, Refinery29, Allure, PS “Published in many magazines such as
