A delusion of grandeur is a false or unusual belief about one’s greatness. A person may believe, for instance, that they are famous, can end world wars, or that they are immortal.
Delusions of grandeur, also called grandiose delusions, often accompany other mental health symptoms, including other delusions. The may be related to mental or physical health conditions, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or some types of dementia.
In this article, we take a more in-depth look at delusions of grandeur, the different types, symptoms, causes, and possible treatments.
What are delusions of grandeur?
People experiencing delusions of grandeur see themselves as great, highly accomplished, more important than others, or even magical. The delusion may be persistent, or it may appear only periodically.
Some people with delusions of grandeur also experience other delusions, such as a fear of persecution or unusual religious beliefs.
However, a delusion of grandeur is more than just very high self-esteem or an inflated sense of self-importance. It marks a significant disconnection from the real world. A person with delusions of grandeur may continue to believe in the delusion in spite of contradictory evidence.
Types
Delusions of grandeur come in many forms. Many people experience delusions of a similar theme over time.
Delusions of grandeur can manifest in virtually limitless ways. Some of the most common types include:
an inflated belief in one’s own importance, such as having the power to end war
a belief that one is famous or occupies a high position in society
a belief that one is a religious leader
a belief in one’s ability to live forever
a false belief that one cannot be harmed by disease or injury
an inflated sense of intelligence
a belief that one possesses magical skills, such as the ability to read minds
Cultural factors can affect the content of a person’s delusions. This is because culture affects a person’s knowledge and what they believe about the world. Something that is considered a delusion in one culture might not be in another.
Symptoms
A person believing in their own greatness is the hallmark of a delusion of grandeur.
For the belief to be a delusion, it must be unreasonable and incorrect. For instance, a person who claims to be president of the United States, when they clearly are not, is an example of a delusion of grandeur.
There may be other symptoms along with an inflated false belief of one’s own importance. These include:
difficulty getting along with others because of the delusion
a persistent belief in the delusion in spite of contrary evidence
dismissal of or anger at people who refuse to accept the delusional belief
persistent attempts to get others to accept the belief
behaving as if the belief is true
experiencing other delusions
Because delusions of grandeur are usually related to a mental health condition, most people with this symptom also experience other mental health symptoms.
Causes and related conditions
An estimated 10 percent of the general population experience some level of delusions of grandeur. Several mental health conditions make these delusions much more likely.
Conditions that can cause delusions of grandeur include the following:
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a mental health condition characterized by delusions, hallucinations, and a difficulty distinguishing reality from fantasy.
Around 50 percent of people with schizophrenia may experience grandiose delusions.
This condition can cause unusual thought patterns, changes in mood or behavior, difficulty focusing, memory issues, and difficulties performing daily tasks. People with schizophrenia may have several delusions that affect their daily lives.
A 2006 study found that other mental health factors can alter the content of a person with schizophrenia’s delusions. People with higher self-esteem and less depression were more likely to have delusions of grandeur, while people with low self-esteem and depression were more likely to have delusions of persecution.
A similar disorder, schizoaffective disorder, can also cause delusions and hallucinations. It may be mistaken for schizophrenia.
Delusional disorder
Similarly to schizophrenia, delusional disorder can cause delusions of grandeur. People with delusional disorder, however, do not experience other schizophrenia symptoms, such as hallucinations.
Bipolar
Bipolar is a mental health condition characterized by periods of depression followed by periods of mania. During times of mania, a person may have a highly inflated sense of self. This can manifest as a delusion of grandeur.
Around two-thirds of people with bipolar disorder may experience grandiose delusions.
During a manic episode, a person with bipolar may also spend too much money, have trouble sleeping, seem very hyper, or behave aggressively.
Narcissistic personality disorder
In most mental health conditions, people with the same condition can have very different personalities. Personality disorders directly affect the personality, fundamentally changing how a person relates to others and themselves.
People with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) have a greatly inflated sense of their own importance. They seek validation and flattery, believe themselves to be special and unique, and lack empathy.
A person with NPD may have a sense of entitlement that leads them to act in ways that other people may find objectionable in order to obtain admiration and special privileges.
Dementia
Most people think of dementia, including Alzheimer’s, as a memory impairment. Yet dementia slowly reduces a person’s ability to think clearly. It can affect much about the way they interact with the world, plan, and think.
As dementia progresses, some people develop delusions, including delusions of grandeur. People with dementia who have delusions of grandeur typically have many other symptoms, including significant memory issues.
Brain injury
Damage to the brain can sometimes change the way people think, potentially causing delusions. Brain injuries may also cause hallucinations, memory problems, personality changes, and difficulties with basic skills, such as reading.
Many brain injuries are due to trauma, such as being hit in the head during a car accident. Brain lesions, strokes, and brain tumors can also damage the brain.
Treatment
Treating delusions of grandeur can be difficult. These delusions may feel good to the person who experiences them. Moreover, because people with delusions truly believe in their delusions, they are often resistant to treatment.
Anti-psychotic drugs are often helpful in treating delusions due to many of the causes. People with bipolar may need to take drugs, such as lithium, or other mood stabilizers.
Research on treatments for delusional disorder is limited. A 2014 Cochrane review reports that there is little high-quality evidence for effective treatments for delusional disorders.
However, people with delusions may benefit from therapy to help them cope with their delusions.
Group therapy can help a person to develop healthier relationships with other people. People with delusions related to personality disorders may need comprehensive, ongoing therapy to offset the effects that delusions have on their personality.
By Zawn Villines
Reviewed by Timothy J. Legg, PhD, CRNP
Kevin A Groves is a Clinical Psychologist Dallas, Texas. He graduated with honors in 1989 and has more than 29 years of diverse experiences. Kevin is also a family therapist and group counselor in Irving TX, formerly of Austin TX.