A delusion of grandeur is a false or unusual belief about one’s power, wealth, talents, and other traits. A person may believe, for instance, that they are famous, can end world wars, or that they are immortal.
Delusions of grandeur, also called grandiose delusions, often accompany other mental health symptoms, including other delusions. The may be related to mental or physical health conditions, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or some types of dementia.
In this article, we take a more in-depth look at delusions of grandeur, the different types, symptoms, causes, and possible treatments.
People experiencing delusions of grandeur see themselves as great, highly accomplished, more important than others, or even magical. The delusion may be persistent, or it may appear only periodically.
Some people with delusions of grandeur
However, a delusion of grandeur is more than just very high self-esteem or an inflated sense of self-importance. It marks a significant disconnection from the real world. A person with delusions of grandeur may continue to believe in the delusion in spite of contradictory evidence.
Delusions of grandeur come in many forms. Many people experience delusions of a similar theme over time.
Delusions of grandeur can manifest in virtually limitless ways. Some of the most common types include:
- an inflated belief in one’s own importance, such as having the power to end war
- a belief that one is famous or occupies a high position in society
- a belief that one is a religious leader
- a belief in one’s ability to live forever
- a false belief that one cannot be harmed by disease or injury
- an inflated sense of intelligence
- a belief that one possesses magical skills, such as the ability to read minds
Cultural factors can affect the content of a person’s delusions. This is because culture affects a person’s knowledge and what they believe about the world. Something that is considered a delusion in one culture might not be in another.
A person believing in their own greatness is the hallmark of a delusion of grandeur.
For the belief to be a delusion, it must be unreasonable and incorrect. For instance, a person who claims to be president of the United States, when they clearly are not, is an example of a delusion of grandeur.
There may be other symptoms along with an inflated false belief of one’s own importance. These include:
- difficulty getting along with others because of the delusion
- a persistent belief in the delusion in spite of contrary evidence
- dismissal of or anger at people who refuse to accept the delusional belief
- persistent attempts to get others to accept the belief
- behaving as if the belief is true
- experiencing other delusions
Because delusions of grandeur are usually related to a mental health condition, most people with this symptom also experience other mental health symptoms.
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Conditions that can cause delusions of grandeur include the following:
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a mental health condition characterized by delusions, hallucinations, and a difficulty distinguishing reality from fantasy.
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This condition can cause unusual thought patterns, changes in mood or behavior, difficulty focusing, memory issues, and difficulties performing daily tasks. People with schizophrenia may have several delusions that affect their daily lives.
A 2006 study found that other mental health factors can alter the content of a person with schizophrenia’s delusions. People with higher self-esteem and less depression were more likely to have delusions of grandeur, while people with low self-esteem and depression were more likely to have delusions of persecution.
A similar disorder, schizoaffective disorder, can also cause delusions and hallucinations. It may be mistaken for schizophrenia.
Delusional disorder
Similarly to schizophrenia, delusional disorder can cause delusions of grandeur. People with delusional disorder, however, do not experience other schizophrenia symptoms, such as hallucinations.
Bipolar
Bipolar is a mental health condition characterized by periods of depression followed by periods of mania. During times of mania, a person may have a highly inflated sense of self. This can manifest as a delusion of grandeur.
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During a manic episode, a person with bipolar may also spend too much money, have trouble sleeping, seem very hyper, or behave aggressively.
Narcissistic personality disorder
In most mental health conditions, people with the same condition can have very different personalities. Personality disorders directly affect the personality, fundamentally changing how a person relates to others and themselves.
People with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) have a greatly inflated sense of their own importance. They seek validation and flattery, believe themselves to be special and unique, and lack empathy.
A person with NPD may have a sense of entitlement that leads them to act in ways that other people may find objectionable in order to obtain admiration and special privileges.
Dementia
Most people think of dementia, including Alzheimer’s, as a memory impairment. Yet dementia slowly reduces a person’s ability to think clearly. It can affect much about the way they interact with the world, plan, and think.
As dementia progresses, some people develop delusions,
Brain injury
Damage to the brain can sometimes change the way people think, potentially causing delusions. Brain injuries may also cause hallucinations, memory problems, personality changes, and difficulties with basic skills, such as reading.
Many brain injuries are due to trauma, such as being hit in the head during a car accident. Brain lesions, strokes, and brain tumors can also damage the brain.
Treating delusions of grandeur can be difficult. These delusions may feel good to the person who experiences them. Moreover, because people with delusions truly believe in their delusions, they are often resistant to treatment.
Anti-psychotic drugs are often helpful in treating delusions due to many of the causes. People with bipolar may need to take drugs, such as lithium, or other mood stabilizers.
Research on treatments for delusional disorder is limited. A 2014 Cochrane review reports that there is little high-quality evidence for effective treatments for delusional disorders.
However, people with delusions may benefit from therapy to help them cope with their delusions.
Group therapy can help a person to develop healthier relationships with other people. People with delusions related to personality disorders may need comprehensive, ongoing therapy to offset the effects that delusions have on their personality.
Delusions can be difficult to treat. Treatment often focuses on managing and reducing symptoms rather than curing the underlying condition. Depending on the cause, a person with delusions may need to take medication or have long-term therapy to manage their symptoms throughout their lives.
Sometimes one treatment stops working, so a person has to try a new one. A willingness to experiment and seek help from a trusted medical provider can help with managing delusions and related symptoms.
A person who experiences delusions is often unaware that their behavior is not usual, though it can be unsettling for other people to witness. Because delusions of grandeur make a person feel important, they may not want to give them up.
Helping a person see how their delusions negatively affect their life or relationships may help. With support and treatment, people with delusions can have happy relationships and lives.