Delusion facts for kids

A delusion is a strong belief that someone holds, even when there's clear proof that it's not true. When doctors talk about delusions, they usually mean these false beliefs are caused by a disease or condition that affects the mind. Some examples of these conditions are paranoia, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder.

A famous thinker named Karl Jaspers described some key things about delusions:

• The beliefs are very strong and don't change easily.
• The person holding the belief is completely sure it's true.
• The beliefs can sometimes seem very strange or impossible to others.

However, studies show that how strong a delusion is can change over time. This means that not all delusions are always completely fixed or held with absolute certainty.

Sometimes, a belief that seems like a delusion might actually be true. Doctors might think a belief is false because it seems unlikely or strange. But doctors don't always have time to check if every claim is true. This can lead to true beliefs being mistakenly called delusions. This is known as the Martha Mitchell effect.

What is the Martha Mitchell Effect?

The Martha Mitchell effect is named after a woman named Martha Mitchell. She was the wife of a top government official, the United States Attorney General. She claimed that illegal things were happening in the White House. At the time, many people thought her claims were signs of a mental illness. But later, during the Watergate scandal, her claims were proven to be true. This showed that she was not mentally ill, and her beliefs were correct all along. This effect reminds us that sometimes, what seems like a delusion can actually be the truth.

How Do Doctors Help with Delusions?

Treating delusions can be challenging. Sometimes, special medicines called antipsychotics can be used to help people. If a person's delusions put their own health or the health of others at risk, doctors might need to provide treatment even if the person doesn't want it. This is done to keep everyone safe.

See also

In Spanish: Delirio para niños