Sexual delusions are false beliefs related to erotic feelings and activities that can alter a person’s sexual identity. They can be caused by medical conditions such as schizophrenia or memory problems. Delusions can also lead to intense jealousy or erotomania, where a person believes a famous or powerful person is in love with them. The term “sexual illusion” can also refer to exaggerated beliefs about one’s ability or incorrect beliefs about sex and sexuality.
Sexual delusions are simply delusions with a strong relationship to erotic feelings and activities. In some cases, these delusions can change an individual’s perception of their sexual identity. Other types of sexual delusions involve a belief in erotic relationships where none are present or perhaps even possible. Colloquially, people may regard even inaccurate beliefs about erotic activity as sexual delusions.
Clinically, a delusion is a patently false belief that is held with absolute passion and conviction. Delusions can be absolutely impossible, simply improbable, or possible but wrong. As a general rule, for a belief to qualify as a true delusion, it must be caused by a recognized medical condition, rather than simply poor reasoning or a lack of information. The causes of sexual delusions vary widely and include memory problems, schizophrenia, and unusual brain structures.
One area where sexual delusions are particularly likely to manifest is the sphere of sexual self-perception. Patients with conditions such as schizophrenia often experience delusions about their sexual identity that are caused by their underlying medical conditions. Such patients may believe they are of the opposite biological gender or may re-imagine their sexual preferences and histories.
These delusions can also change a person’s understanding of their sexual relationship with another person. A common form of this condition is referred to as erotomania. This condition typically involves a delusional belief that a person, often a famous or powerful person, is passionately in love with the victim of the delusion. Such beliefs are typically, like other delusional beliefs, highly resistant to rational argument, and individuals suffering from this condition are prone to invent explanations for the apparent lack of interest shown by the targets of their delusions.
In other cases, sexual delusions can manifest themselves in the form of intense and unfounded jealousy in personal relationships. An individual suffering from this type of delusion may believe that her partner is unfaithful whenever that partner is not under direct supervision or scrutiny. These feelings typically have no basis in reality, but stem from the delusional individual’s underlying mental issues.
When used colloquially, the term “sexual illusion” does not have a single, precise meaning. This phrase can be used to indicate that an individual has an exaggerated sense of her ability or desirability. Similarly, this phrase can also be used to refer to beliefs about sex and sexuality that are broadly or deeply held but which are incorrect. These beliefs could include false information about the spread of disease or misinformation about how sexual anatomy works.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
