Can delusions be understood linguistically?

Figures & data

Table 1. The PSE classification of delusions (from Wing et al., 1974).

Delusions of control

The subject feels under the control of some force or power other than himself, for example, which makes his movements for him without him willing it, or uses his voice or his handwriting, or replaces his personality.

Delusional mood

The subject feels that his familiar environment has changed in a way which puzzles him and which he may not be able to describe clearly. Everything feels odd, strange and uncanny, something suspicious is afoot, events are charged with new meaning.

Delusions of reference

People drop hints about what the subject says, or says things with a double meaning, or do things in a special way so as to convey a special meaning. The whole neighbourhood may seem to be gossiping about the him, far beyond the bounds of possibility, or he may see references to himself on the television or in newspapers. He may seem to be followed, his movements observed, and that what he says tape-recorded.

Delusions of misinterpretation and misidentification

A further extension of the delusion of reference in which situations appear to be created which have a special meaning. Things seem to be specially arranged to test the patient out, objects are arranged so that they have a special significance for him, street signs or advertisements on buses or patterns of colour seem to have been put there in order to give him a message.

Delusions of persecution

Someone is deliberately trying to harm him, for example, poison him or kill him.

Delusions of assistance

The subject believes the same forces, powers and organisations are endeavouring to help him in surreptitious ways – to direct his life, to enable him to become a better person and so on.

Delusions of grandiose abilities

The subject believes he has special abilities or powers, for example, he is much cleverer than anyone else, has invented machines, composed music or solved mathematical problems, etc., beyond most people’s comprehension, or there is a special purpose or mission to his life.

Delusions of grandiose identity

The subject believes he is famous, rich, titled or related to prominent people.

Religious delusions

The subject believes he is specially close to Christ or God, is a saint, has special spiritual powers, etc.

Delusional explanations in terms of paranormal phenomena

The subject is influenced by hypnotism, telepathy, or the occult.

Delusional explanations in terms of physical forces

Electricity, X-rays, radio-waves or similar are affecting the subject

Delusions of alien forces penetrating or controlling mind (or body)

Any delusion which involves an external force penetrating the subject’s mind or body, for example, rays turn his liver to gold, alien thoughts pierce his skull or are inserted into his mind, hypnotism makes him levitate.

Primary delusions^a

Delusions where a subject suddenly becomes convinced that a particular set of events has a special meaning.

Sexual delusions

Any delusion with sexual content, for example, fantasy lover, sex changing, etc.

Delusions of guilt

The subject feels he has committed a crime, or sinned greatly, or deserves punishment.

Simple delusions concerning appearance

The subjects nose is too large, teeth misshapen, body crooked, etc.

Delusions of depersonalisation

Subject has no head, does not exist, hollow instead of a brain, etc.

Hypochondriacal delusions

Subject has incurable cancer, bowels are stopped up, insides are rotting, etc.

Delusions of catastrophe

The subject believes that the world is about to end, some catastrophe has happened or will occur, or everything is evil and will be destroyed.

Morbid jealousy

The subject believes his partner is being unfaithful.

^aThis rare type of delusion is also known as delusional perception.

Wing, J. K., Cooper, J. E., & Sartorius, N. (1974). The measurement and classification of psychiatric symptoms. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

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