Persecutory delusions

Signs and symptoms

Persecutory delusions are persistent, distressing beliefs that one is being or will be harmed, that continue even when evidence of the contrary is presented. This condition is often seen in disorders like schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, delusional disorder, manic episodes of bipolar disorder, psychotic depression, and some personality disorders. Alongside delusional jealousy, persecutory delusion is the most common type of delusion in males and is a frequent symptom of psychosis. More than 70% of individuals with a first episode of psychosis reported persecutory delusions. Persecutory delusion is often paired with anxiety, depression, disturbed sleep, low self-esteem, rumination and suicidal ideation. High rates of worry, similar to those in generalized anxiety disorder, are present in individuals with the delusion, moreover the level of worry has been linked to the persistence of the delusion. People with persecutory delusion have an increased difficulty in attributing mental states to others and oftentimes misread others' intentions as a result.