Delusions of grandeur in a mild form. Delusions of grandeur: what is it? What is megalomania

Megalomania is a manic mental disorder that belongs to delusional-affective ideological concepts. Megalomania, which occurs at various stages, is inherent in several series of pathologies.

Megalomania has several terminological meanings. Many people use this terminology to refer to some arrogant individuals. There is a tendency that delusions of grandeur are characteristic of significant individuals, although in the true context there is no inflated self-esteem. The maximum overestimation of self-esteem is the inversion of the maximum underestimation, which is why megalomania in individuals without psychopathology is a psychomanifestation of a defensive reaction.

What is megalomania?

This disorder in the context of psychiatric pathology has several meanings.

Megalomania is a delusion that includes ideas of self-worth, greatness, especially significant origin, reformism, and wealth. Often, megalomania can be considered a paraphrenic syndrome, which is the final stage of paranoid delusions and is considered a prognostically unfavorable outcome.

Megalomania is also a common term used for overly grandiose, arrogant people. Most often it is used in a negative light and shows that the individual wants to stand out. This condition looks completely ridiculous, since usually no one recognizes any excessive arrogance in behavior.

Inflated self-esteem can also have the terminology of megalomania, when ideas of greatness simply overshadow everything that is in life, while the individual is unable to adequately assess the environment. This pathology is expansive and affects every line of a person’s life.

Diagnostic measures for megalomania are not difficult, but only if they are in the right direction. An individual may have megalomaniacal ideas of different kinds and it is not always possible to distinguish between them, and sometimes one has to really check the words of an individual, since he may have different kinds of roots or may indeed be a businessman. The individual himself, understanding his problem, can skillfully hide it and not show ideas, pretending to be absolutely not majestic. But once you pull the crazy thread, you will have the opportunity to question the patient in more detail.

Including greatness, they have a neurocognitive origin when neurotransmitter activity is disrupted. Problems of cognitive impairment and self-esteem quickly come to light, which is associated with cognitive impairment and changes in brain function.

A patient with individual problems suffers from delusions of grandeur. Many mental disorders cannot but manifest themselves as such disorders. The aggressiveness of individuals can hide their mania or, on the contrary, make them aggressive in connection with the mania.

An individual usually suffers from delusions of grandeur during high spirits. At the same time, due to deep overexcitation, these ideas can be completely torn apart, and thinking can become completely inconsistent. Megalomania in men is quite common in the context of mental disorders.

Usually an individual under the age of twenty suffers from delusions of grandeur. At the same time, people are less susceptible to delusions of grandeur in older age. Delusions of grandeur among individuals in creative professions may be a feature of their perception of the world.

The stages of formation of megalomania have several phases. At first, the individual simply strives for brightness, to stand out from the crowd, he strives to prove his ideas, some of his thoughts. Megalomaniac behavior then manifests itself, leading to repulsive antisocial behavior. Further, a full-fledged megalomania is already formed, which can lead to an inversion into depression.

Causes of megalomania

Signs of megalomania are not the basis of the pathology; they are a symptom that allows one to suspect a number of pathologies manifested by such a disorder. Megalomania in men is a more common pathology, which is associated with neurotransmitter characteristics and the prevalence of mania as a pathology in men. The formation of this disorder depends on many factors:

Genetic predisposition is a fundamental factor, which still does not provoke megalomania itself, but provokes disorders that include this mania. The central nervous system often suffers from various diseases, which may include megalomania. In this case, the most fundamental is a failure in the neurotransmitter systems, which leads to delusions of grandeur.

Bipolar disorder is the pathology most strongly associated with megalomania. After all, it is this disorder that contains mania with such symptoms. But even with this pathology, such a disorder will manifest itself most strongly in type 1 bipolar disorder and much less in type 2 bipolar disorder due to the presence of hypomania rather than classic mania.

It also often has delusions of grandeur in its structure, but this does not happen at the first stage. First, a paranoid delusional plot is formed, which over time turns into paraphrenic delusion with a completely absurd delusion of grandeur, which ultimately ends in specific bewilderment.

Venereal pathology can also have megalomania in its symptoms at its last stage. This is formed during the stage of neurosyphilis, when syphilis can only be detected in the cerebrospinal fluid.

Signs of megalomania are often formed in addicts: alcoholics and drug addicts. Repeatedly experienced euphoric states over time have a harmful effect on the structure of the brain and change it. Megalomania in men is often accompanied by psychopathy. is a borderline disorder that can have many syndromic conditions. The formation of such pathologies has both a genetic and educational aspect.

Neurosis-like conditions also often include this kind of disorder. Neurotic states tend to experience many symptoms, which is associated with polymorphism of symptoms and dependence on a traumatic situation.

Damage to the brain, for example, with TBI. This can lead to, which quickly forms various types of delusional manifestations, including delusions of grandeur. Delusions of grandeur can also often appear in senile dementia, especially when the frontal cortex is disinhibited.

Upbringing can also have a significant impact on an individual. Childhood humiliation can have an inverse effect on an individual and provoke delusions of grandeur in adulthood. Also, excessively unfounded praise can provoke similar misconceptions of the individual about his importance. , as a feature of personality development, also includes delusions of grandeur, which greatly irritates those around him.

Symptoms of megalomania

Signs of megalomania are not always obvious, since there are simply arrogant individuals, which is not significant for this type of disorder. That is why some such character changes can simply be simply missed.

The progression of pathology provokes the individual to disorders that include delusions of grandeur. At the same time, a person focuses on his own importance, which sometimes unspeakably “infuriates” those around him. At the same time, all actions begin to revolve around the individual, which gradually leads to a complete cycle and the inability to further support any topics.

Egocentrism is simply a key symptom of megalomania, which cannot but surprise and amaze others. All appeals to others are based only on his exclusivity and are aimed at demonstrating his EGO. Gradually, criticism of one’s actions and manifestations decreases, and the pathology progresses. At the same time, all the symptoms become bright and detailed.

Inflated self-esteem begins to manifest itself not only in the form of self-confidence, but also in a demanding, absurd attitude towards others. At the same time, the individual will never admit any shortcomings in himself.

Excessively distorted pathological painful activity, manifested in excessive unnecessary and inappropriate increased excitability and activity. It can manifest itself in different aspects of life, but always has a negative meaning. This activity is simply unbearable and exhausting for a normal person and often lasts for days, simply blocking all needs. Mood fluctuations, depending on the underlying pathology, can have huge and significant jumps that greatly set back an individual’s ability to work and activity.

Since self-criticism completely atrophies over time and the course of pathology, a person becomes not only insensitive to criticism, but also perceives it aggressively. Due to incontinence of affect, the individual cannot restrain impulses towards aggressive tendencies. Mood swings can resemble swings and their causes are not always obvious. The absence of criticism to the point of complete denial and rejection is very important; the patient simply does not hear it.

Sleep is an important aspect that affects the fullness of life. It is worth noting that insomnia very quickly undermines the nervous system and leads to complete exhaustion and exhaustion. Falling asleep may vary depending on the condition. The most dangerous aspects that accompany megalomania, as well as other delusional states, are anxiety. An alarming component cannot be excluded: it always aggravates the patient’s condition and requires relief.

Megalomania in men often has aggressiveness in the context, and from different positions. This can be sexual aggression, physical and emotional. The behavior has a certain absurdity and pretentiousness, which quickly becomes noticeable. Sometimes behavior in the context of delirium becomes majestic, refined, with unreasonable expenses. As an extreme degree of all these manifestations, paraphrenia is formed. At the same time, the stages can be designated depending on social adaptation: at the first stage, full performance with mild affectivity; on the second, the individual can no longer adapt, only the family can turn a blind eye to this; and at the last stage, even the closest people cannot withstand severe paraphrenia.

Treatment of delusions of grandeur

It is important to understand that you cannot be persuaded. Understanding this is important in order not to succumb to the dangerous tendencies of persuasion of such an individual. This can provoke aggressiveness, and in some cases even lead to entanglement in a delusional concept, which is unsafe for the doctor.

First of all, antipsychotic drugs are used in order to relieve productive delusional symptoms and despondency of the character, especially with severe mania. Almost all neuroleptic groups are suitable, the main thing is to select individually, titrating the dosage. Common representatives include: Eglonil, Sonapax, Soleron, Olanzapine, Queteron, Quetiapine, Azaleptol, Azapine, Galopril, Haloperidol, Truxol, Tizercin, Rispolept, Rispaxol, Risperidone.

In addition, in the context of mania with elevated mood, it makes sense to use mood stabilizers: Valproate, Valprocom, Lamotril, Carbamazepine, Lamotrigine.

Tranquilizers are often effective as a quick anxiolytic: Gidazepam, Sibazon, Diazepam, Diphenhydramine. It is very important to maintain a stable mood and counteract production, which will allow the individual to quickly adapt to society.

For insomnia, it makes sense to use Imovan, Sonovan, Sonat, adjusting the dosage from 1/2 tablet.

Psychotherapy is relevant for maintaining the condition. In addition, it makes sense to use sedatives, as well as physical and occupational therapy. It is especially important to use anxiolytic treatments to promote relaxation and relieve anxiety.

Delusions of grandeur are an everyday concept. Its meaning is that a person “upgrades” his rights and teaches others about life. Such people are usually treated negatively.

In medicine, such inflated self-esteem - “the best!” - called delusions of grandeur, megalomania or expansive delusions, implying deviations in the individual’s mental activity.

The disease is difficult to diagnose, since a person suffering from megalomania will never turn to a psychologist on their own. Only in the most extreme case, when such a person has really annoyed everyone, can he be persuaded to see a specialist. After a thorough examination, he will issue his “guilty verdict”, let’s say that this is really delusion of grandeur and the patient needs medical help.

The roots of megalomania have not been studied in detail, and therefore it is impossible to say definitely why delusional ideas of superiority over others develop. It is believed that this may be associated with a disease of the central nervous system and sensory organs, when the cognitive (cognitive) processes through which a person understands himself and the world around him are disrupted in the part of the brain responsible for thinking.

Expansive delusions are characteristic of some mental illnesses. Paranoid schizophrenia, when thought processes are disrupted, is an example of this. A schizophrenic looks down on everyone, not even allowing the thought that someone disagrees with his opinion and might contradict him. Such patients can be aggressive, and therefore pose a serious threat to others.

An advanced form of syphilis, when the brain is affected, is often accompanied by a delusion of over-importance of one’s person, which can reach the point of madness.

Some experts consider megalomania to be a type of affective syndrome, when, due to deep nervous excitement, thoughts become disordered and delusional ideas appear. Often in such a state, a person extols himself to the skies: “I am the most important person in the world!” Other people are just pawns in his mind. A megalomaniac cannot descend to the “sinful earth” to objectively assess himself and his capabilities. For those around him, this becomes unbearable; such “titans of thought” are not liked.

According to some estimates, a third of drug addicts in the world suffer from delusions of grandeur. Manic-depressive individuals are less susceptible to “genius.” This syndrome occurs in up to 75% of young people of both sexes under 20 years of age. For older people, the risk of becoming a “genius” is reduced by almost half (to 40%).

A pattern has been noticed between the level of education and the development of megalomania. The more enlightened are more likely to fall into the power of “high ideas” and often treat others condescendingly. On the other hand, such people love life very much and are practically not susceptible to suicidal thoughts.

The mechanism of development of megalomania goes through three stages:

• The first, harmless to others, is characterized by the desire to stand out from the “crowd” and prove the significance of one’s ideas and actions.
• At the second stage, signs of “genius” increase, even to the point of antisocial behavior due to the refusal of relatives and friends to recognize the outstanding “abilities” of the megalomaniac.
• The third and final phase is the clinical stage, when depression develops with all the ensuing consequences of this condition. This requires drug treatment.

It is important to know! Megalomania is not considered a pathology, but should only be considered a warning that there may be a serious mental illness.

Causes of megalomania

It should be noted that delusions of grandeur in men are more pronounced than in women. Let’s say that in a conversation a young man interrupts everyone, always trying to show that his opinion is the most correct. People notice this, some may get angry, while others just chuckle. But everyone thinks the guy has an inflated ego.

Delusions of grandeur do not manifest themselves as strongly in women. Not every representative of the fairer sex strives to show in public that she is more beautiful and better than all other ladies. Often such thoughts take the form of erotomania, when alone you can dream that “if Prince Charles saw me, he would definitely fall in love with me.”

Among the factors influencing the emergence and development of megalomania in both women and men, a significant role is played by:

1. Genetic predisposition. If the parents suffered from delusions of grandeur, there is a high probability that the children will be like this.
2. Diseases of the central nervous system. When the normal functioning of nervous processes in the body is disrupted, a malfunction occurs in the functioning of the psyche and a disorder of thought processes in the brain.
3. Affective insanity. When you are susceptible to sudden mood swings. For example, melancholy is combined with excitement, and with an elevated state of mind, a person becomes inhibited.
4. Paranoid schizophrenia. Almost half of such patients are obsessed with delusions of grandeur; there are even more of them when the illness is burdened by other disorders, for example, narcissism.
5. Syphilis. The advanced form of the disease decomposes the psyche and brain. Problems with thinking arise.
6. Addiction. Taking drugs leads to euphoria, when it often seems that a person is flying; in the literal sense, he feels “above everyone else.” This state, experienced more than once, makes the drug addict confident that he is thinking correctly. Such a concept is fixed in the consciousness, and this is already a delusion of grandeur.
7. Severe depression. A person with a weak psyche, due to constant failures in life, often remains in a depressed mood and cannot get out of it. She becomes withdrawn and plays out her troubles alone. In his dreams he becomes Superman. He fantasizes about how he will fearlessly deal with his enemies. So, unbeknownst to himself and those around him, a person is seized by delusions of grandeur.
8. Neurotic and psychopathic state. Severe emotional shock can lead to a nervous breakdown and seizure. If this is repeated frequently, the functioning of the central nervous system and psyche is disrupted. Mental activity is disrupted, and there is a possibility of developing megalomania.
9. Head injuries. Skull injuries can cause brain damage and disruption of brain function. Often a person begins to think inadequately, which manifests itself as delusions of grandeur.
10. Moral humiliation. If a person, as a child or as an adult, was constantly subjected to humiliation, in his dreams he is “strong.” Over time, this condition can develop into expansive delirium.
11. Narcissism. Self-love of such a good person is already a reason for the development of delusions of grandeur.
12. Inappropriate praise. Let’s say that a child has always been encouraged since childhood, although in some cases this should not have been done. The child grew up with a high opinion of himself.

It is important to know! The causes of megalomania in men and women are basically the same. Some differences in their manifestation are insignificant. Therefore, representatives of both sexes suffer equally from delusions of “genius.”

The main symptoms of megalomania in humans

Based on this fact, symptoms of delusions of grandeur may include:

• Chronic mental illness. Can be inherited from parents. Another option: a person has paranoid schizophrenia or has manic-depressive psychosis.
• Consistently bad mood. Depressed well-being, say, due to failures at work, is compensated by thoughts about one’s exclusivity and genius, “they just don’t understand me.”
• Unimportant dream. I can’t sleep and have bad thoughts. The so-called cognitive dissonance arises - mental discomfort when mutually exclusive thoughts and emotions “eat up”. They compensate by trying to “get” themselves excited about high topics. Such a restructuring of thinking can become the prologue to delusions of grandeur.
• Emotional instability. When mood swings are frequent: from twilight to outbursts of anger. Indifference, melancholy, loss of strength are replaced by a sharp elation and euphoria from lofty, rosy thoughts. The speech of such people is confused, and their thoughts often jump at random.
• Heightened self-esteem. It often happens in physically developed men, because it seems to them that they are stronger than others, and therefore better. Women can consider themselves the most beautiful and sexy. All men must show them signs of attention.
• Temperament. Explosive activity, strong excitability, agility and efficiency in business, when by his behavior a person shows that he is not like everyone else.
• Reluctance to accept other people's opinions. Let's say a person thinks that only he has the ultimate truth. Everyone else is talking nonsense; they do not and cannot have anything constructive. They are no match for him! On this basis, scandals develop that develop into hostility. Such aggressive intransigence poses a threat to loved ones.
• Egocentrism. When objective analysis of one’s behavior disappears and a person strives with all his might to be the center of attention. All honors belong to him, he must be admired, he must be loved. Any other way of treating him is unacceptable. Young people are especially self-centered, trying to become “people” by hook or by crook.
• Vanity and bragging. The desire for fame and belief in one's own invulnerability, coupled with uncontrollable boasting, are all manifestations of delusions of grandeur.

It is important to know! If a person exhibits at least one of the symptoms of megalomania, he must be persuaded to see a psychotherapist or psychiatrist.

Ways to combat delusions of grandeur

Only a specialist can tell you how to get rid of delusions of grandeur. Excessive self-confidence cannot be cured at home. In a hospital setting, it is also impossible to achieve complete recovery, but it is quite possible to stop delusional mania. To achieve stable remission, they combine medicinal treatment methods with psychotherapy sessions. Let's look at these two options in more detail.

Drug treatment for delusions of grandeur

To diagnose the severity of expansive delirium, the Young rating scale is often used. The doctor fills it out. Most of the eleven questions concern the patient's mental state. Answers to seven of them are allowed in five variations.

Let’s say the item “thought disturbances” has the following gradation:

• 0 - absent;
• 1 - thorough, moderate distractibility, accelerated thinking;
• 2 - distracted, thinking unfocused, topics change quickly, thoughts run;
• 3 - jumps of ideas, confusion, it is difficult to follow the train of thoughts;
• 4 - incoherence, communication is impossible.

Based on this test, psychotropic medications are prescribed; they calm the nervous system, stabilize emotions, normalize sleep, and relieve delusional ideas. As a rule, antipsychotics, antidepressants, and other drugs of the latest generation are used.

Their use has minimal harmful side effects. Let’s say that the patient does not have hand tremors, he does not experience stiffness and anxiety, and other undesirable reactions of the body disappear. Such drugs include Risperidone, Quetiapine, Clopixol-depot, Leponex and others.

Psychological assistance in the treatment of megalomania

The whole essence of working with a patient comes down to ridding him of old bad habits, developing new positive attitudes of thinking and behavior. They should be reinforced, for example, in conversations or special games. For example, at a collective psychotherapy session, patients take turns sharing their experiences.

Such “family” therapy develops in patients a sincere desire to “get over” their problem and live a normal, healthy life. Naturally, under the only condition that they themselves really want it, and their loved ones support them in this endeavor.

During hypnosis sessions, the patient does not need to strain his will to get rid of his sore of “greatness”. He has all his hope in the hypnologist, they say, he will help. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Only tireless work on oneself will help a person get rid of bad behavioral attitudes. However, this is only if they were not provoked by any chronic disease.

How to get rid of megalomania - watch the video:

In a society in which a person is assessed by the results achieved, delusions of grandeur are a common and completely logical phenomenon. Every person begins to evaluate himself and others quite early. However, some people often exaggerate greatly. They brag about what they have done or are planning to do, or are proud of acquiring new things, openly showing them off. Braggers are very unlikable people. If a person calls someone a braggart, then his feelings are almost always negative. In addition, boasting is often associated with dishonesty and often develops into delusions of grandeur. The fact is that when boasting, it is easy to cross the line separating the identified qualities of good people and their embellished demonstration.

Even if a person has personal reasons for boasting (for example, he wants to achieve better results, acquire something, hoping to earn the attention of others), other people most often evaluate this emphasized identification of personal success very skeptically.

The painful desire to stand out among others - this is frequent and intense efforts to do something special and be the center of everyone's attention - is the “heaviest” form of boasting and is characteristic of the hysterical personality type.

Delusions of grandeur are different from boasting and a morbid desire to stand out. Essentially, it is a symptom characteristic of some mental or organic disease that needs to be treated. Megalomania is a painful desire to be important, a necessary condition is the belief (inconsistent with reality) that you are special because of your power, strength, wealth, famous ancestors, special social status or rare abilities. Such mania is characterized by a complete loss of perception of reality. However, patients do not realize that their created opinion does not correspond to reality, and therefore do not seek help. Most often, other people bring such a patient to the doctor.

Causes

The causes of megalomania can be different. First of all, it can manifest itself as a result of progressive paralysis. This syndrome is a characteristic symptom of late syphilis, which was previously called softening of the brain. Patients suffering from this disease are euphoric, they develop symptoms of megalomania - they seem to themselves to be the most important, rich, smart, powerful. True, these symptoms appear in 5% of people with syphilis and most often after the disease has not manifested itself in any way for 8-15 years. Clear delusions may be a symptom of paranoid type schizophrenia. Sometimes delusions manifest themselves as mania, in which case patients imagine themselves to be unusually important or feel as if they are being persecuted.

A painful desire to stand out can also manifest itself in affective psychosis. The patient constantly has new ideas, he is talkative and reacts to every external stimulus, for example, the patient wants to buy every car he sees on the street, noticing a traffic jam, he is ready to immediately take up traffic control himself, etc.

Is it possible to treat such mania?

Delusions of grandeur cannot be cured. Since it most often manifests itself in manic-depressive psychosis or schizophrenia, only treatment of the underlying disease helps.

To alleviate the symptoms of a mental disorder, patients are most often prescribed antipsychotics. Lithium preparations are used to prevent manic-depressive psychosis.

Does bragging depend on gender?

Men are more likely to brag than women. For example, women rarely brag about their personal victories in life or the amount of alcohol they drink. On the contrary, men are openly proud of it. One of the most common topics for men to brag about is the car, for example, how fast they drove a new car. Of course, women brag too, but they do it much more subtly than men.

Bragging by age

Children and young people often like to show off. Young people are trying to find their place in society and establish themselves in it. In this case, boasting is a kind of duel with peers. During bragging, competition, competition and an understanding of one's individuality are partly manifested. Young people, having learned to believe in themselves, over time grow out of this state of boasting.

Many persistent stereotypes have developed around megalomania. People who consider themselves Napoleon, Suvorov and other famous historical figures are mistakenly perceived as suffering from delusions of grandeur. However, in reality, this symptom is a manifestation of delusional-hallucinatory disorder. Delusions of grandeur itself belong to the category of complex mental disorders, which manifest themselves in the form of excessive exaggeration of various qualities and characteristics of a person. This symptom accompanies the development of many mental illnesses. It is important to note that most patients deny the fact of an unnatural condition, since they are firmly convinced of the exclusivity of their personality and the presence of an important purpose in society . Let's look at what megalomania is and how it manifests itself in more detail.

Delusions of grandeur are a feature of self-awareness and behavior of an individual, characterized by an extremely pronounced overestimation of one’s importance

The occurrence of pathological changes in the patient’s personality leads to the concentration of all thoughts on his exclusivity and importance for the social environment. This feature in the perception of the surrounding world leads to the fact that all actions performed pursue only one goal - universal recognition of the value of the individual. A person in such a state wants as many people as possible to know that he is unique.

Being under the power of pathology, a person cannot accept the simple fact that people do not even suspect his existence. Many patients claim that thoughts are born in their minds that can revolutionize the modern understanding of the structure of the world. Such a person thinks that everyone around him should adhere to his views on life and spread his “teachings”. It is important to note that it is almost impossible to convince a person with delusions of grandeur that in the real world all their endeavors are not of exceptional importance. Such people try to strengthen their power and influence over others as much as possible.

Clinical picture

Of course, delusions of grandeur are not so clearly manifested in all cases. Severe delirium and obsessive attempts to instill one’s worldview in others are characteristic only of complex forms of the disease. Symptoms and signs of megalomania include:

1. Frequent changes in mood. Psychomotor agitation can alternate with emotional stupor, bouts of euphoria with depressive disorder, and active physical activity can turn into passivity. According to experts, these changes in mood are not controlled by the patient, which often provokes the occurrence of various complications.
2. Increased physical activity. Delusions of grandeur often manifest as manic episodes of bipolar personality disorder. The symptoms of these conditions are highly interrelated. One manifestation of this connection is attempts to promote one's ideas in combination with increased energy and lack of fatigue.
3. Excessively high level of self-esteem. When combined with incredible ideas, patients often elevate their social and personal status. This leads to the emergence of demands for respectful attitude towards one’s own personality. According to experts, such people suffer from a thirst for power and demand a servile attitude towards themselves.
4. Sleep problems. The occurrence of insomnia and other sleep quality disorders can be explained by excessive physical activity. An influx of crazy ideas and thoughts can disrupt the process of falling asleep. In addition, excessive energy implies less need for rest.
5. Negative attitude towards criticism. Remarks made about the patient's ideas and personality may cause a negative reaction. Such attempts can be either ignored or rudely suppressed at the very beginning of the dialogue.
6. Problems with perceiving someone else's point of view. Most patients have a negative attitude not only towards criticism and comments, but also towards the presence of their own point of view among people around them. Most of them try to avoid other people's advice, even in cases where the actions taken may cause danger to the patient's health.

Symptoms of megalomania in men manifest themselves in the form of excessive aggression. Constructive criticism can lead to physical rudeness and violence in response. According to experts, the pathology in question in men manifests itself in the form of excessive activity, persistence and an expansive expansion of the circle of influence. In an effort to take a dominant role, such men use any means to neutralize their rivals.

The pathology in question, which occurs in the fair sex, is characterized by a milder manifestation, which is expressed in the complete absence of aggression. A feature of this form of the disease is the desire to achieve certain heights in various areas of life. Quite often, the pathology takes the form of erotomanic delusion, which manifests itself in the form of statements that a famous person was in love with a given woman. It is important to pay attention to the fact that during the course of the disease there are episodes during which depressive disorder is so severe that it leads to thoughts of suicide.

Causes and risk group

Research by scientists has revealed that there are certain factors that increase the risk of developing delusions of grandeur. According to scientists, there is a high likelihood of the disease occurring in people suffering from schizophrenia and manic-depressive psychosis.

In addition, the risk of developing pathology increases in the presence of drug and alcohol addiction, as well as traumatic brain injuries suffered in childhood. A history of syphilis also puts a person at risk, predisposed to delusions of grandeur. In addition to all of the above, the development of the disease can be provoked by vivid psychotraumatic situations.

As an independent disease, delusions of grandeur have certain features in their course. These features include alternation of the following signs:
In the first stages of development, the symptoms of the disease are mild, due to which the pathology is similar to character accentuation.

In a more acute form, delusional thoughts appear, where ideas about greatness are clearly visible.
At the stage of decompensation, depressive symptoms predominate, accompanied by signs of depletion of the body's mental and physical resources.

Certain forms of mental disorder

There are several separate types of delusional states that manifest themselves in the form of megalomania. In psychiatry, these types of delusional states are distinguished into separate forms.

Paraphrenic form of delirium. This type of pathology manifests itself in the form of fantastic ideas, which are combined with delusions of influence and persecution. This form of pathology is characterized by depersonalization and mental automatism, arising from a state of euphoria and manic affect.

According to experts, this type of pathology is one of the complications of paranoid disorder, which is characterized by thoughts about external influences. Among the symptoms of the disease, one should highlight crazy ideas based on the exclusivity of the individual and the tendency to interpret various facts in the direction of one’s own exclusivity. Many people suffering from this disorder often make up various facts in their biography. It is important to understand that such fantasies are wide-ranging and implausible. At certain stages, delusions of persecution can transform into other forms that are based on ideas associated with greatness.

According to patients, their task is to save humanity by exploring space or finding cures for all diseases. Some patients are firmly convinced that they are familiar to every person, and even to vehicles or trees growing on the street. They can offer them assistance in performing various actions and endeavors. In parallel with this, delusions of persecution arise, which is expressed in the form of confidence about surveillance from space, the influence of radiation unknown to science, and other methods of negative influence.

Messianic form of delirium. A less common disease, the carriers of which often became the subject of general discussion. Many people suffering from this type of pathology are firmly convinced that they are one of the forms of reincarnation of pagan deities or a new form of the incarnation of Jesus Christ. Such individuals often found various sects and gathered around them admirers of their own teachings.

Manichaean form of delirium. This pathology can be characterized as a struggle between good and evil in the patient’s mind. These roles can be taken on by people and evil spirits, angels and demons, or representatives of different political movements. The result of this struggle could be the complete destruction of our planet. According to the patient, his task is to counter this “war”. This form of pathology has a characteristic resemblance to the acute stage of schizophrenia. Patients with this form of mental disorder pose a high level of danger to both themselves and those around them.

Complications of megalomania

One of the most common complications of the pathology is the development of depressive disorder in combination with suicidal tendencies. According to psychiatrists, there are several factors that provoke the occurrence of this condition. One of the main factors in the development of depression is a manic episode during bipolar disorder. The severity of mania has a negative impact on the severity of perception and a decrease in energy reserves in the body.

The emergence of depression can be facilitated by the disappearance of the grounds for the further development of delusions of grandeur. After a certain period of time, the patient realizes the fantastic nature of his ideas and actions. Women suffering from delusions of grandeur, which manifests itself in the form of confidence in their own appearance, begin to notice that they are less and less popular among men. Awareness of the fact of one’s mediocrity and low significance leads to thoughts about ending one’s life through suicide.

In addition to all of the above, wasteful use of internal energy resources makes a negative contribution to the development of depression. At the end of the active period of manic disorder, the patient experiences a sharp loss of strength. This period is characterized by disappointment in one’s own beliefs, which leads to the appearance of signs of “inside out” mania. This condition manifests itself in the form of decreased self-esteem, a feeling of uselessness and little significance to others.

The end of a depressive disorder leads to attempts to commit suicide, which indicates the importance of timely medical intervention in the course of the disease.

Treatment methods

Delusions of grandeur pose a high risk to the patient's health due to the high likelihood of developing depressive disorder and suicidal tendencies. It is important to pay attention to the fact that this pathology is practically impossible to completely cure. An individual approach is selected for each patient, where the treatment strategy is aimed at reducing the severity of symptoms of the pathology.

To select methods for correcting the mental state, it is very important to identify the cause of delusional thoughts. Complex therapy includes the use of drugs from the category of sedatives and antipsychotics, in combination with tranquilizers and methods of mental correction.

Since most patients are unable to recognize the presence of mental problems, in the case of this disease, compulsory treatment is required. If the need arises, the patient is placed in a psychoneurological hospital, where mental disorders are corrected.

Delusions of grandeur or delusions of grandeur are a feature of self-awareness and behavior of an individual, characterized by an extremely pronounced overestimation of one’s importance, fame, power, and political influence. Unprofessional term" megalomania "is usually used in everyday life and is erroneous. The term “mania” is applied to a state of inappropriately elevated mood, accompanied by increased motor activity, as well as an accelerated rate of thinking and speech. A person suffering from delusions of grandeur may, in fact, be an important figure.

Delusions of grandeur - This is a mental disorder, a form of delirium. A person suffering from this mental disorder is characterized by a painful desire to stand out from the general environment, to be exceptional, important. Patients with delusions of grandeur consider themselves special, possessing rare talents, power, wealth, etc. They are not aware of their mental problems, and therefore do not seek medical help.

Delusions of grandeur in modern psychiatry are not considered a separate mental disorder, but are considered as a symptom of it. Delusions of grandeur can occur against the background (manic-depressive psychosis), as well as various manias, progressive paralysis and organic brain damage.

Causes of delusions of grandeur can be:

• genetic predisposition;
• schizophrenia;
• neuroses, psychoses;
• brain injuries;
• children's moral injuries;
• history of syphilis.

The disease manifests itself in patients’ excessive concentration on their own “I”. They consider themselves brilliant, irresistible, etc. And it is impossible to convince them otherwise. These people require increased attention, admiration, and approval.

Delusions of grandeur do not always have pronounced symptoms, so only a highly qualified doctor can make a correct diagnosis. You should know that the usual heightened self-esteem can develop into delusions of grandeur. This risk is also higher in people who have a pathological desire for excellence and leadership.

Main manifestations delirium of grandeur:

• delusional ideas arise with clear consciousness;
• sudden mood swings;
• egocentrism;
• sleep disorders;
• excessively high self-esteem.

It is important to know that delusions of grandeur can be a manifestation of paranoid schizophrenia.

Treatment of delusions of grandeur

Treatment of delusions of grandeur depends on the clinical manifestations, and it must be comprehensive, that is, combine pharmacotherapy and non-drug treatment methods. Since the disease is a manifestation of some mental disorder, then, first of all, you need to start with the treatment of this disease. Pharmacotherapy involves the use of antipsychotics, and lithium preparations are prescribed for prevention.

The Mental Health clinic uses techniques that give good results in any clinical situation. If you notice that your loved ones are showing signs of delusions of grandeur, you should urgently make an appointment for a consultation at our clinic.

Don't hesitate to contact a specialist!