Question 1

Which of the following delusions describes the somatic type?

Accepted Answer

The somatic type of delusion involves a preoccupation with physical health or bodily functions, such as beliefs that one's body is diseased, infected, or misshapen. The other choices represent different types of delusions, such as persecutory (B), jealous (A), and erotomanic (D).

Question 2

Harold has kept his wife a prisoner in their home for the last ten years.He disconnects the phone and locks her in the house everyday.Harold believes that his wife will be unfaithful if she ever leaves the house without him.Harold is suffering from the _____ type of delusional disorder.

Accepted Answer

Harold's belief that his wife will be unfaithful if she leaves the house without him is a delusion of jealousy, which is a type of delusional disorder characterized by irrational and persistent thoughts or beliefs that one's partner is unfaithful or dishonest. Harold's behavior of locking his wife in the house and disconnecting the phone are also consistent with delusions of jealousy.

Question 3

_____ type delusions involve the belief that you are being conspired against, cheated, spied on, followed, poisoned, maligned, or harassed.

Accepted Answer

Persecutory delusions involve the belief that one is being persecuted, conspired against, or targeted in some way by others. This can manifest in the belief that one is being followed, spied on, or harassed in some way.

Question 4

The distinguishing symptom of paranoid psychosis is

Accepted Answer

Delusions are the main distinguishing symptom of paranoid psychosis. Individuals with this disorder hold fixed, false beliefs that are not based in reality, even when presented with evidence to the contrary. These beliefs often involve persecutory or grandiose themes. Hallucinations, disturbed emotions, and personality disintegration may also be present, but are not the defining symptom of paranoid psychosis.

Question 5

A man is spending large amounts of money on security equipment because he believes his neighbors are spying on him and plotting to murder him.Delusions of this sort would be of which type?

Accepted Answer

These delusions are persecutory in nature, as the man believes that he is being targeted and threatened by his neighbors. Grandiose delusions involve a false belief in one's own power or importance, somatic delusions involve false beliefs about one's health or bodily functions, and harassment delusions involve a false belief that one is being followed or harassed.

Question 6

Jake makes repeated visits to his doctor because he thinks that parasitic insects are crawling on his skin and are causing massive infections in his body.He refuses to accept the doctor's assurances that there are no insects.Jake is suffering from

Accepted Answer

Jake's belief that he has parasites on his skin and that it is causing infections in his body is a type of somatic delusion. Despite the doctor's reassurances, he is unable to accept the fact that there are no insects on his skin. This type of delusion involves a strong belief in having a physical illness or disorder that is not supported by medical evidence. It is a common symptom in somatic type of delusional disorder. Choice B, delusions of influence, involves the belief that one's thoughts or actions are being influenced by an outside force, while choice C, delusions of reference, involves the belief that external events, objects, or people have a special meaning or significance specifically for the person experiencing the delusion. Choice D, catatonic schizophrenia, involves symptoms such as disturbances in one's movement, behavior, and activity levels rather than delusions.

Question 7

Ralph, a college professor, believes that the administrators at his university are conspiring with other faculty and staff members to make his work more difficult and to make him look foolish in order to fire him.Every phone call or e-mail not returned promptly, or request that is not handled as perfectly as he would like, is evidence of this conspiracy against him.Delusions of this sort would be of which type?

Accepted Answer

Ralph's belief that the administrators and other faculty members are conspiring against him and purposely making his work difficult is a classic example of persecutory delusions.

Question 8

Paranoid psychosis

Accepted Answer

Paranoid psychosis produces delusions that tend to be less bizarre than those seen in paranoid schizophrenia. It is a distinct diagnostic category from paranoid schizophrenia.

Question 9

Persons with paranoid psychosis

Accepted Answer

Persons with paranoid psychosis are often not willing to seek help or treatment and frequently lead socially-isolated and suspicious lives. They may become dangerous if they perceive a threat, but are not necessarily dangerous to others.

Question 10

People diagnosed with paranoid psychosis often include those who are

Accepted Answer

The answer of People diagnosed with paranoid psychosis often include...

Question 11

Many self-styled reformers, crank letter writers, conspiracy theorists, and "UFO abductees," suffer from

Accepted Answer

Paranoid psychosis is characterized by delusions of persecution or grandeur, suspiciousness, and a sense of being misunderstood, which may be present in individuals who fit this description. It is important to note that not everyone who identifies as a reformer, conspiracy theorist, or UFO abductee suffers from paranoid psychosis, but some may exhibit these symptoms. Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder that includes symptoms like hallucinations, delusions, and disordered thinking that are not typically seen in these groups. Multiple personalities and bipolar disorder are also not likely explanations for the behaviors described.

Question 12

A woman believes that she has noticeable curvature of the spine even though two doctors have examined her independently and found no problem.Delusions of this sort would be of which type?

Accepted Answer

The woman's belief about having a noticeable curvature of the spine despite medical evidence to the contrary is an example of a somatic delusion, which is a false belief related to the body or bodily functions.

Question 13

Jack believes that the FBI has wire tapped his phone.He regularly checks his house for bugging devices.When he leaves the house, he always checks each window and takes a different route to his destination.Jack buys bottled water because he believes the FBI may try to poison his water.Jack is exhibiting the most common delusional disorder, which is

Accepted Answer

Jack's belief that the FBI is wiretapping his phone, checking his house for bugging devices, and avoiding taking the same route to his destination are all examples of paranoid delusions. His belief that the FBI may try to poison his water is also a type of paranoid delusion. Therefore, Jack is exhibiting symptoms of paranoid psychosis, which is a type of delusional disorder characterized by paranoid beliefs that are usually false but persistently held.

Question 14

The most common delusional disorder, often called _____, centers on delusions of persecution.

Accepted Answer

Paranoid psychosis is a type of delusional disorder where the primary symptom is delusions of persecution, making it the most common form of delusional disorder.

Question 15

Regarding delusional disorders, which of the following statements is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

Jealous type delusions are not the most common type of delusional disorder. In fact, persecutory type delusions, which involve the belief that one is being mistreated or persecuted, are the most common subtype.

Question 16

Mel believes that people are spying on him and plotting against him.A stranger that comes to his door asking for directions is "really trying to get information," while static sounds during a telephone conversation is "really someone recording the phone call." So, Mel feels like he must be on guard at all times.Mel is suffering from

Accepted Answer

Mel's belief that people are constantly spying on him and plotting against him is characteristic of paranoid psychosis. This condition is characterized by delusions of persecution and a heightened sense of suspicion and mistrust towards others.

Question 17

How do persons with paranoid psychosis usually respond to suggestions that they need treatment?

Accepted Answer

Persons with paranoid psychosis often have delusions that people are conspiring against them. Therefore, they are more likely to believe that suggestions for treatment are part of a conspiracy and may not comply with treatment recommendations.

Question 18

After being told by two detective agencies that his wife of 30 years is not being unfaithful to him, Phil hires another detective to follow his wife around and install wire taps in her car and her phone.Phil is

Accepted Answer

Phil is demonstrating an irrational belief that his wife is being unfaithful, despite being told otherwise by two separate detective agencies. This belief is likely causing him significant distress and may be affecting his behavior. This is a classic example of a jealous type delusion.

Question 19

Which of the following is characteristic of paranoid psychosis?

Accepted Answer

Paranoid psychosis is characterized by intense suspiciousness and isolation. Delusions of time and bipolar episodes are not specific to paranoid psychosis, while fugue and personality disintegration are characteristics of dissociative disorders.

Question 20

A person absolutely convinced, against all evidence, that his or her spouse is having an affair is

Accepted Answer

A person who is convinced that his or her spouse is having an affair, even without any evidence, is exhibiting a jealous type delusion. This delusion is characterized by a strong conviction that a partner is being unfaithful, despite the absence of any factual evidence. This can lead to significant distress and impairment in social and occupational functioning. It is not necessarily indicative of a possessive personality or paranoid schizophrenia, and it is not an erotomanic type delusion since it does not involve a false belief that someone is in love with the individual exhibiting the delusion.

Quiz 14: Extension A: Psychological Disorders