Delusions of grandeur are a serious mental imbalance where a person has fantasies of power, wealth, and omnipotence. They may have an exaggerated sense of self-worth and cling to their erroneous beliefs. Treatment is possible through therapy and medication. It is often a symptom of larger mental health conditions such as narcissistic personality disorder, dementia, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. Misusing the term can be dangerous as it may mask or understate situations where actual delusions pose a threat to a person’s health.
The phrase “delusions of grandeur” is often used in casual conversation to describe a person who imagines they are more important or more powerful than they actually are, but it is more accurately used to describe a very real and potentially very severe mental imbalance. From a medical point of view, delusions of grandeur are manifestations of a psychopathological condition in which a person has fantasies of power, wealth, and omnipotence that can hinder social engagement and compromise sound decision-making. People who suffer from this condition — which is also sometimes referred to as “megalomania” — also often have an exaggerated sense of self-worth and may have an obsession with grandiose or extravagant things or actions. Even when presented with evidence that contradicts their delusions, they usually cling to their erroneous beliefs. Treatment is often possible through therapy and the use of certain antipsychotic medications, and with proper care, people suffering from this imbalance are often able to lead functional and happy lives.
Condition features
When a person has clinically recognized delusions of grandeur, they often believe they have extraordinary powers or may believe they are famous. He usually assumes that the people around him know who he is and may even believe that they are looking up to him. One of the hallmarks of this condition is a sense of innate superiority, whether through physical ability, wealth, or personal connections. Some of the more extreme forms of the disorder cause people to believe they are famous historical figures. The mentally ill person who truly thinks he is Napoleon may be one of the most common media references made to this delusion.
Patients who firmly hold such unrealistic beliefs may eventually harm themselves physically, mentally, or emotionally. A person who thinks he has special powers, for example, might jump off a building because he sincerely believes he can fly. Isolation from family and friends is also quite common.
Primary causes
It is usually quite rare for these types of delusions to occur on their own, that is, not as a symptom of some other usually larger mental imbalance. A number of different psychological conditions and disorders can include these types of delusions, although they stick perhaps most frequently to narcissistic personality disorder. Narcissistic personality disorder is a condition in which a person is extremely preoccupied with themselves and has inflated feelings of self-importance.
Megalomania is also sometimes found in patients with varying degrees of dementia and psychotic or depressive disorders, such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. In some cases, the disappointments of fame and fortune are accompanied by other more negative feelings, including those of persecution, in which the patient thinks others are out to get him. Problems with control may also emerge, in which the patient believes that an outside force is controlling his thoughts or actions.
Some medications, especially phencyclidine (PCP) and amphetamines, can also contribute to or exacerbate episodes. This is especially dangerous because users who are stoned may believe they have powers that will allow them to perform dangerous feats that a normal human couldn’t do, such as flying off a tall building or stopping an oncoming train with one hand.
Treatment options
Treating this condition can be somewhat difficult as a lot depends on the root cause or a larger mental health condition at play. The first thing any care provider will typically do is come up with a diagnosis for the underlying condition and begin treatment for that. It is often the case that delusions fade over time once things begin to balance out. Talk therapy is used in many cases, although people with the condition often feel they don’t need the help. When megalomania is caused by chronic drug use, the delusions and other psychological effects usually go away over time once the chemicals and addictive effects wear off.
Public perception issues
The term “delusions of grandeur” is often used non-technically and incorrectly, as are the names of many serious mental health conditions such as “antisocial.” It is sometimes used to describe people who dislike dictators of countries, prominent businessmen, or celebrities; these types of people are often seen as selfish and selfish. Misusing the term in this way can be dangerous, however, as it may mask or even understate situations in which actual delusions pose a very real psychopathological threat to a person’s health.
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