False fixed belief is called as?

Appeared in: PGIMS Rohtak NO - 2017

Explanation

A delusion is defined as a fixed, false belief that is strongly held and unchangeable, even when presented with contradictory evidence.
This is considered a disorder of thought content, not perception.
The belief is not shared by others in the person's culture or subculture, distinguishing it from widely held cultural or religious beliefs.
Examples include delusions of persecution (believing one is being plotted against) or grandeur (believing one has special powers).

Why Other Options Were Wrong

Option B: An illusion is a misinterpretation or distortion of a real external stimulus. The key is that a stimulus actually exists but is perceived incorrectly.
Option C: A hallucination is a sensory perception that occurs in the absence of any real external stimulus. The person sees, hears, feels, smells, or tastes something that is not there.
Option D: Depersonalization is a dissociative symptom characterized by a feeling of being detached from one's own body or mental processes, like an outside observer of one's own life.

Related Visual

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Disorders of Thought and Perception as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Accurately differentiating between delusions, illusions, and hallucinations is crucial for diagnosing psychiatric disorders. For example, delusions are a core feature of schizophrenia and delusional disorder, while illusions are more common in delirium.
A nurse's response should be tailored to the specific symptom. For a patient with a paranoid delusion, the nurse should provide reassurance and avoid challenging the belief directly, focusing on the underlying feelings of fear.
Understanding these concepts is vital for patient safety. A patient experiencing persecutory delusions may pose a risk to themselves or others based on their false beliefs.

How to Approach the Question

This is a direct recall question that tests your knowledge of psychiatric terminology.
First, identify the key phrase in the question stem: 'False fixed belief'.
Recall the specific definitions for the major disorders of thought and perception.
Systematically evaluate each option against the definition. 'Delusion' is the term for a false, fixed belief.
Eliminate the other options by recalling their definitions: 'Illusion' involves a real stimulus, 'Hallucination' involves no stimulus, and 'Depersonalization' is a feeling of detachment.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Disorders of Thought and Perception
Stem keywords: False fixed belief
Lead-in keywords: FALSE
Negative lead-in flag: false

Question ID

QYNWh0zQNhjU0018RpiLom

Reference Book

E6 Robert Boland, Marcia L. Verduin - Kaplan and Sadock's Comprehensive Text of Psychiatry-Wolters Kluwer Health (2024) (pp 1-16525 of 16525) pp. 3802-3804, 3249-3251, 3815-3817

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