This rentry is dedicated to the exploration of Da's/irls.

The increasing prominence of the term "delusional attachment" has caught my attention, particularly as someone interested in the field of psychology. Intrigued by this concept, I felt compelled to explore its implications within the context of psychological phenomena. So, I did just that. This is quite the lengthy read, I apologize for that, but topics like this are interesting to me! Hopefully you get a better understanding of psychotic delusion reading this!


Whats a DA?

For those unaware, a delusional attachment (a term coined on twitter in 2020), although not recognized within the medical or psychiatric community quite literally at all, refers to a term used by individuals experiencing psychosis to describe a specific type of delusion. It involves a persistent belief that one's identity is that of another being, such as a real person, a fictional character, a nonhuman creature, or an object, contrary to their actual identity. Delusional attachments can manifest as constant or recurrent beliefs, or they may occur episodically.

It is important to note that within the established psychiatric framework, delusional disorders are recognized and classified as a type of psychotic disorder. Delusional disorder is characterized by the presence of non-bizarre delusions that persist for at least one month. These delusions are false beliefs based on an incorrect interpretation of reality. Individuals with delusional disorder often maintain normal functioning in areas of life unrelated to their delusions. This disorder will not be commonly cited nor be our topic of interest)

The causes and risk factors associated with delusional disorders are still subjects of ongoing research. Scientists are investigating genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors that may contribute to the development of delusional disorders. Genetic factors, abnormalities in brain regions controlling perception and thinking, and the presence of other mental health conditions are among the factors being explored.


What kind of delusion could this be?

Commonly, those suffering from DAs tend to attribute their experiences to grandiose delusions or delusional misindentification, we'll focus on the former for now. A grandiose delusion refers to a false or exaggerated belief about one's own power, abilities, importance, or identity. It is a type of delusion where individuals may believe they possess special talents, wealth, or influence beyond what is realistic. For example, someone with a grandiose delusion may believe they are a famous person, have superhuman abilities, or have a special connection to important figures or entities. Grandiose delusions are often associated with mental health conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, , delirium or certain types of dementia. Dementia usually occurs in older age groups, and delirium often subsides incredibly quickly, so It's safe to assume that those suffering from these long-lasting DAs are suffering from bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.


major contradiction surrounding this theory

There are two kinds of delusions! They can also be classified as: Primary - occurring in the mind, fully formed with no preceding reasons; strongly suggestive of schizophrenia. Secondary - eg, a depressed person feeling worthless. (Paitent UK) Primary delusions emerge suddenly and unexpectedly, often with a bizarre or fantastical nature (Sips, 2019). These might include beliefs that one is a famous celebrity or a god. (highly indicative of grandiose delusions). Individuals with primary delusions typically do not seek validation or confirmation from others and may remain indifferent even when their beliefs are questioned. These characteristics are noteworthy because they contradict the behaviors commonly observed in the DA community. Many members of this community react with intense distress when their primary delusions are challenged.


could it be grandiose beliefs?

Grandiose beliefs refer to unreasonably high opinions individuals may hold about themselves. These beliefs can be present in both healthy individuals and those with certain mental health conditions. While some people may have inflated self-perceptions, individuals with grandiose beliefs do not necessarily meet the full diagnostic criteria for any mental health disorder. These beliefs may be based on personal interests or self-perceptions and may not significantly impair overall functioning.

Unlike grandiose beliefs, grandiose delusions are not based on personal interests or self-perceptions but are instead a result of underlying mental health conditions. These delusions are often accompanied by other delusions, such as delusions of persecution, where individuals believe others are out to harm or mistreat them. Grandiose delusions are typically persistent and can significantly impact an individual's perception of reality and overall functioning


what about delusional misidentification?

Delusional misidentification syndromes (DMSs) are a group of complex, monothematic delusional phenomena in which subjects hold a belief that the identity of a familiar person, object, location, or self has been altered or replaced. First described in the literature in 1923, Capgras Syndrome is characterized by the delusion that a close family member or friend has been replaced by an identical imposter. Reverse Capgras Syndrome is a DMS that refers to the self replaced by an imposter rather than a familiar other. Prior studies have found that most of the new identities patients took on were famous or admirable figures [1]. The majority of those patients also experienced a sudden awareness of the transformation or of the preexisting identity. Research on disorders with a likewise disturbance in reality testing and traumatogenic etiology, such as the dissociative subtype of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depersonalization-derealization disorder (DPDR), borderline personality disorder, and dissociative identity disorder (DID), has shed light on the neural processes involved in aberrations in self-referential processing. (National library of medicine)

this section is a study preformed by the national library of medicine

A 25 year old female stated she was Jeffrey Epstein, and she endorsed this belief after seeing him appear on the television in the emergency room. She was tearful throughout the encounter and expressed a great deal of guilt, repeatedly stating that she should be in jail instead of the hospital. She reported paranoid delusions and auditory hallucinations of Epstein making derogatory remarks towards her. She also demonstrated some lapses in recent memory and explained that she had difficulty remembering some of her past life events. (National library of medicine)

Collateral from her mother revealed that this was the first time the patient exhibited delusions and paranoia. Her mother noted that the patient was recently in an abusive relationship where her partner had been controlling, threatening, and manipulative. The patient's mother also believed that the patient recently used marijuana the last time she was with her partner, which likely contributed in part to her psychosis. Brief psychotic disorder, schizoaffective disorder, major depressive disorder (MDD) with psychotic features, substance-induced psychosis, and complex PTSD were considered in the differential diagnoses. PTSD was unlikely due to a lack of overt intrusive, hyperarousal, and avoidance symptoms. While substance-induced psychosis was possible given the sudden onset of her psychotic features, it rarely lasts longer than a couple of days. The predominance of the patient's psychotic symptoms over depressive symptoms and duration of symptoms lasting less than one month in total made brief psychotic disorder the most appropriate diagnosis over MDD with psychotic features and schizoaffective disorder. (National library of medicine)

She was subject to frequent derogatory remarks from her abusive partner, leading to internalization of negative qualities. Instead of projecting those qualities onto an external figure, our patient introjected them and began to believe that she had been replaced by a famous figure, also of despicable qualities. Consistent with findings in the literature, she initially endorsed loss of familiarity with her mother whom she had always maintained a close relationship with, endorsed inability to distinguish herself from Epstein as she introduced herself as Jeffrey during group sessions while also responding to her name when called upon, and endorsed similar feelings of hatred and disgust towards Epstein as she did for herself when she was abused by her partner. (National library of medicine)

DMS may be a defense to detach from one's own unacceptable aspects and to project them onto an external figure [1]. Loss of familiarity, impaired self-monitoring, lack of ego boundaries, and attached emotional valence have also been noted as factors leading to such delusions.

As suggested, this group of disorders is commonly associated with dissociative disorders and should not be taken likely.


why cant it be a DMS -- or rather, any kind of psychotic delusion?

Going off of the general basis of delusion, people who are subject to DAs often attach to their favorite character or media. This suggests the notion that they can control what the delusion is, or that their delusion is charged by emotion or interest, which is untrue. Furthermore, those in a delusion are unable to recognize that these delusions are false, while people with DAs are acutely aware that it is a delusion and openly state so, even to the point that they are able to list who they are delusion-ally attached to. This is an inconsistency in regards to all kinds of psychotic delusion that those with DAs usually represent.


if not a psychotic delusion, what is it?

Given the information presented, instead of a psychotic delusion, SD (self deception) seems to be what's at play here.
Self-deception refers to the act of deceiving oneself or holding false beliefs without being consciously aware of doing so. It involves distorting or ignoring certain aspects of reality to maintain a preferred self-image or to protect oneself from uncomfortable truths. Self-deception can manifest in various ways, such as rationalizing one's actions, denying evidence that contradicts one's beliefs, or selectively interpreting information to fit preconceived notions.

Self-deception has a prominent role in several medical conditions, such as borderline personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, and histrionic personality disorder.

It has been theorized that humans are susceptible to self-deception because most people have emotional attachments to beliefs, which in some cases may be irrational. Some evolutionary biologists, such as Robert Trivers, have suggested that deception plays a significant role in human behavior, and more generally speaking in animal behavior. One deceives oneself to trust something that is not true as to better convince others of that "truth". When a person convinces himself of this untrue thing, they better mask the signs of deception.[9] Trivers, along with two colleagues (Daniel Kriegman and Malcolm Slavin), applied his theory of "self-deception in the service of deception" in order to explain how in his view Donald Trump was able to employ the "big lie" with such great success.[10] (trivers)


how are they different?

While grandiose delusions and self-deception share some similarities, they are distinct concepts. Here are key differences between the two:

  1. Awareness of deception: In grandiose delusions, individuals genuinely believe in their inflated sense of self-importance or superiority, even in the face of contradictory evidence. They are not consciously aware that their beliefs are false or irrational. On the other hand, self-deception involves a level of awareness, albeit often subconscious, that one is deceiving oneself or distorting reality
  2. Consistency of belief: Grandiose delusions tend to be persistent and consistent over time, even if they may fluctuate in intensity. Individuals with grandiose delusions maintain their false beliefs despite evidence to the contrary. In contrast, self-deception can be more flexible and adaptive. It may involve selectively deceiving oneself in specific situations or contexts while acknowledging reality in other areas of life.
  3. Motivation and intention: Grandiose delusions are typically driven by underlying psychological factors, such as psychosis or certain mental disorders. They are not consciously chosen or intentionally maintained. Self-deception, on the other hand, often arises from a desire to protect one's self-image, maintain a sense of control, or avoid uncomfortable truths. It can involve a deliberate effort to deceive oneself for psychological or emotional reasons.
  4. Impact on functioning: Grandiose delusions can significantly impair an individual's ability to function in daily life, as their distorted beliefs may lead to irrational behaviors or strained relationships. Self-deception, while it can also have negative consequences, may not necessarily have the same level of impact on overall functioning. It can be more context-specific and may not pervade all aspects of a person's life.

Given what we know about self-deception and delusion, there are at least two features that distinguish the two: (a) whereas in self-deception beliefs are always motivated, not all delusional beliefs are motivated; (b) whereas delusions are symptoms of psychiatric disorders, are accompanied by other symptoms, and typically impair functioning, cases of self-deception are widespread in the non-clinical population. (National library of medicine)


how is it self deception?

The behaviors of individuals experiencing delusional attachments align more closely with self-deception than with psychotic delusions. This alignment can be observed in several ways, particularly in the insistence of those claiming delusional attachments to have others confirm their beliefs.

Firstly, the desire of individuals claiming delusional attachments to have others cater to and affirm their ideation is more in line with the characteristics of self-deception, which often arises from a desire to protect one's self-image, maintain a sense of control, or avoid uncomfortable truths. This deliberate effort to deceive oneself for psychological or emotional reasons is a key feature of self-deception, rather than the driven, non-conscious nature of psychotic delusions.

Moreover, the recognition of the disparity between one's own identity and that of the character or person they identify with demonstrates a phenomenon known as "mental partitioning." This cognitive process enables individuals to simultaneously hold contradictory beliefs without subjecting them to rigorous examination. Such flexibility and adaptability in self-deception allow individuals to selectively deceive themselves in certain situations or contexts while acknowledging the reality in other aspects of their lives.

self-deception has been modeled on interpersonal deception, where A intentionally gets B to believe some proposition p, all the while knowing or believing truly that ~p. Such deception is intentional and requires the deceiver to know or believe that ~p and the deceived to believe that p. One reason for thinking self-deception is analogous to interpersonal deception of this sort is that it helps us to distinguish self-deception from mere error since the acquisition and maintenance of the false belief are intentional, not accidental. It also helps to explain why we think self-deceivers are responsible for and open to the evaluation of their self-deception. If self-deception is properly modeled on interpersonal deception, self-deceivers intentionally get themselves to believe that p, all the while knowing or believing truly that ~p. On this traditional model, then, self-deceivers apparently must (1) hold contradictory beliefs—the dual-belief requirement—and (2) intentionally get themselves to hold a belief they know or believe truly to be false. (plato stanford edu)

In summary, the behaviors of individuals experiencing delusional attachments, particularly their insistence on external affirmation and acknowledgment of contradictory beliefs, align more closely with the characteristics of self-deception than with those of psychotic delusions. This suggests that delusional attachments may be better understood within the framework of self-deception rather than as a distinct manifestation of psychotic delusions.


final thoughts

Delusional attachments, as a concept, lack scientific validity and do not align with the established understanding of mental health conditions. There are no official studies or anything similar, and the information presented makes it clear that something different is happening: said something is not related to psychosis. By encouraging delusional attachments, individuals inadvertently perpetuate harmful beliefs and misconceptions surrounding mental illness. This can lead to a normalization of irrational thought patterns and a disregard for the genuine struggles faced by those with mental health disorders.

If you are someone who engages in behaviors that involve claiming a delusional attachment, please consider the potential harm that can be inflicted upon individuals who genuinely suffer from mental illnesses. Delusions have a significant impact on the lives of those experiencing them. You are taking away safe spaces.


In a world where mental illness is often glorified, misunderstood, and even faked for attention or validation, it's no wonder that some individuals reach a breaking point. For those who truly suffer, the pain is real, debilitating, and far from glamorous. The constant battle within their minds becomes an exhausting struggle that they would gladly escape if given the choice. It's disheartening to witness the trivialization and romanticization of mental health issues, as it diminishes the severity and urgency for proper understanding and support. People need to stop perpetuating harmful misconceptions, start seeking genuine understanding, and work towards creating a world where mental health is treated with the empathy, compassion, and seriousness it deserves.


sources

  • Jaspers K. (1997). General Psychopathology, 7th Edition. University of Chicago Press.
  • Key A. (2019) Delusions of Grandeur. WebMD.
  • Sips R. (2019). Psychosis as a Dialectic of Aha- and Anti-Aha-Experiences. Schizophrenia Bulletin.
  • Wigman J, et al. (2011). The Structure of the Extended Psychosis Phenotype in Early Adolescence—a Cross-Sample Replication. Schizophrenia Bulletin.
  • Trivers R. (2011). The Folly of Fools: The Logic of Deceit and Self-Deception in Human Life. Basic Books.
  • Appelbaum P, Robbins P, Vesselinov R. (2004). Persistence and Stability of Delusions Over Time. Comprehensive Psychiatry.
  • Badii C. (2019). What’s Delirium and How Does It Happen? Healthline.
    1. Mashayekhi A., Ghayoumi A. Coexistence of reverse Capgras syndrome, subjective double and Cotard syndrome. Zahedan Journal of Research in Medical Sciences . 2016;18(1, article e5878) doi: 10.17795/zjrms-5878.
  • plato Stanford edu - Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
  • patient UK
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Pub: 05 Feb 2024 09:16 UTC

Edit: 18 Mar 2024 18:16 UTC

Views: 207