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Persecutory delusions, or the false belief that someone is out to get you, can be one of the most challenging symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD).
“Delusions, delusions, delusions,” wrote one MyParkinsonsTeam member who is a caregiver for a relative with Parkinson’s. “Off to a bad start.”
Here’s what to know about delusions of persecution and how they can be managed.
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Persecutory delusions are the most common type of delusion in people with Parkinson’s. They occur when someone falsely believes that others are treating them badly or taking advantage of them.
People who experience persecutory delusions may exhibit outbursts of anger, agitation, or violent behavior.
People may develop delusions of persecution from other causes, including drug use, other health conditions, and some types of mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and bipolar disorder.
It’s also possible to have a diagnosis of delusion disorder. Persecutory delusions disorder is a subtype of this diagnosis.
Although persecutory delusions are based on false beliefs, they tend to involve situations that could be possible in real life, as opposed to bizarre delusions that involve circumstances that would be impossible and are based on outlandish situations.
Examples of persecutory delusions include:
Below are some examples of persecutory delusions MyParkinsonsTeam members have experienced:
“My husband wakes up and thinks someone is grabbing him or something.”
“My mother had a severe delusional episode this morning where she accused me and the caregiver of trying to murder her.”
“My mother-in-law believes people are watching her, recording her, after her, the cops are after her, that she is being abused. She is just so afraid.”
“I began to have delusions. I thought that my children were taking money from me.”
Delusions are a symptom of Parkinson’s disease psychosis (PDP). This is when some people with Parkinson’s have trouble distinguishing reality from things that are imagined. PDP consists of delusions and hallucinations, when people perceive things that are not there.
Studies estimate a quarter to 40 percent of people with Parkinson’s disease experience symptoms of psychosis. Delusions are not as common as hallucinations — 4 percent of people with PD have delusions.
People with Parkinson’s may experience other types of delusions
as well. These include:
Delusions are often associated with Parkinson’s medication side effects and Parkinson’s disease progression. Cognitive impairment (trouble thinking), dementia, depression, and sleep disorders are also risk factors for delusions.
Delusions can also be caused by some types of infection and other health conditions such as stroke and heart attack.
In general, persecutory delusions are more common in males than in females, according to the journal Neurological Sciences.
If you or someone you care about is living with Parkinson’s and experiencing persecutory delusions, there are steps you can take to help manage this difficult symptom.
First, it’s important to discuss delusions with a neurologist to determine whether a change in medication or other medical treatment may be warranted. A doctor can also conduct tests to find out if a person’s delusions are the result of another condition or an untreated infection.
Your or your loved one’s doctor may recommend:
If you’re a caregiver for someone living with Parkinson’s, here are some things you can do to help manage a persecutory delusion when it occurs:
When a person’s delusion has subsided, sometimes it can be helpful to talk to them and calmly ask them about the experience. If this type of conversation is disturbing for them, however, it’s best to avoid agitating them.
You can help keep your home safer for loved ones who have persecutory delusions, especially if they’ve ever become aggressive. Keep anything that could be dangerous, such as knives or heavy objects, out of reach.
Additionally, clear out clutter and obstacles that could pose tripping hazards.
If a situation feels dangerous and you’re worried about your safety or the safety of the person experiencing the delusion, call 911 or emergency services.
EMTs are trained to perform interventions with people who may be experiencing a persecutory delusion and can help ensure that no one is harmed. In difficult situations, a delusional person may require hospitalization for their mental health condition in order to be stabilized.
Persecutory delusions can take a major toll on caregivers. Members have shared:
Even though you’re focused on your loved one, it’s important to take care of your mental health. If you’re dealing with the emotional weight of persecutory delusions, you may benefit from counseling and support groups for other caregivers.
If you’re a full-time caregiver, you may want to look into respite care options, or see if other family members or friends are available to give you some time off.
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Are Dopaquel and Clozapine in any way related ? I had a bad experience with Dopaquel I wouldn't want to repeat.
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I'm just reading this today and wish i had months ago. It explains so much!
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