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A bit off-topic but I'm sure there are some experts perusing this thread: What are some examples of mental illnesses that would result in someone making up or

A bit off-topic but I'm sure there are some experts perusing this thread: What are some examples of mental illnesses that would result in someone making up or hallucinating an extraordinary, single, formative event in their life, and sticking to that story indefinitely while not inventing others?

derbOac 6y ago
I am an expert, I guess. Delusions of pregnancy are a classic example of this, and are fascinating to observe, and also deeply saddening for several reasons. There are many delusions, although they usually have certain themes (e.g., of reference, jealousy, persecution). Delusional disorder ala the DSM is defined by delusions per se but not hallucinations (not saying this is a "real category" as opposed to a coincidence of phenomena or lack thereof, but it is the diagnosis). So individuals who meet criteria for this seem very normal -- they're lucid, coherent, and so forth -- until you get them on a certain topic. With delusions of pregnancy it is that they are pregnant. They have tests that are negative from multiple places (over the counter, in the clinic etc.) and often a few friends, family, and partners have counseled them about it to no avail. The general explanation is that they're all in on a conspiracy to thwart the pregnancy, because they're jealous, or don't trust their ability to be a parent, or whatever the case may be. I've seen cases where the delusional pregnancy goes on for years. This is biologically implausible. Some individuals just sort of avoid this topic; others will assert that there have been multiple pregnancies, usually aborted by those who are trying to sabotage the pregnancy (e.g., secret medicines to induce abortion, etc.). All mental illness is sad at some level (well, nearly all), but the delusions of pregnancy are as well. It's clear someone desperately wants to be a mother, and genuinely believes people are aborting their pregnancy, or attempting to, or otherwise is unable to have the child. I'm sure I could think of many other delusional examples involving significant formative events but outside of broad themes they're often idiosyncratic.
- lend000 6y ago
  That's fascinating. It sounds like there is some overlap with hypochondria. I am especially interested in the hallucinatory angle, which seems to be outside the scope of DSM. Is there a mental illness that might explain someone having something akin to a one time religious experience, too real for them to dismiss? If certain drugs can do this, is there any reasonable evidence to demonstrate that such substances can spontaneously be created in sufficient quantity under the right circumstances?
pessimizer 6y ago
You don't have to be mentally ill to do that. I think most people remember something happening to them that didn't, but that they heard about happening to someone else, or saw in a movie. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Loftus https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Loftus

derbOac 6y ago

I am an expert, I guess. Delusions of pregnancy are a classic example of this, and are fascinating to observe, and also deeply saddening for several reasons. There are many delusions, although they usually have certain themes (e.g., of reference, jealousy, persecution). Delusional disorder ala the DSM is defined by delusions per se but not hallucinations (not saying this is a "real category" as opposed to a coincidence of phenomena or lack thereof, but it is the diagnosis). So individuals who meet criteria for this seem very normal -- they're lucid, coherent, and so forth -- until you get them on a certain topic. With delusions of pregnancy it is that they are pregnant. They have tests that are negative from multiple places (over the counter, in the clinic etc.) and often a few friends, family, and partners have counseled them about it to no avail. The general explanation is that they're all in on a conspiracy to thwart the pregnancy, because they're jealous, or don't trust their ability to be a parent, or whatever the case may be. I've seen cases where the delusional pregnancy goes on for years. This is biologically implausible. Some individuals just sort of avoid this topic; others will assert that there have been multiple pregnancies, usually aborted by those who are trying to sabotage the pregnancy (e.g., secret medicines to induce abortion, etc.). All mental illness is sad at some level (well, nearly all), but the delusions of pregnancy are as well. It's clear someone desperately wants to be a mother, and genuinely believes people are aborting their pregnancy, or attempting to, or otherwise is unable to have the child. I'm sure I could think of many other delusional examples involving significant formative events but outside of broad themes they're often idiosyncratic.

lend000 6y ago
That's fascinating. It sounds like there is some overlap with hypochondria. I am especially interested in the hallucinatory angle, which seems to be outside the scope of DSM. Is there a mental illness that might explain someone having something akin to a one time religious experience, too real for them to dismiss? If certain drugs can do this, is there any reasonable evidence to demonstrate that such substances can spontaneously be created in sufficient quantity under the right circumstances?

pessimizer 6y ago

You don't have to be mentally ill to do that. I think most people remember something happening to them that didn't, but that they heard about happening to someone else, or saw in a movie. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Loftus https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Loftus