If you are a lover of the internet, it’s likely you have encountered the expression ‘Delulu is the solulu,’ conveying the idea that being delusional serves as the solution.

This phrase is used by people who imagine nearly impossible outcomes in their lives and despite the reality that such outcomes are highly improbable, they insist on holding on to that one percent chance.

For instance, a boy has a crush on a girl who is completely out of his league. He starts making up fake scenarios in his head that they are in a relationship even married long before he even makes the first step.

Similarly, a pedestrian who commutes daily from home to work might begin visualizing himself behind the wheel of a BMW, mimicking the motions of driving with his hands, despite the reality of his current circumstances.

If today, I tell my ‘Delulu’ friend that she is in-fact suffering a psychotic disorder, she would come at me and say ‘it’s called manifestation’ and then proceeds to be even more delusional.

According to a research done by Cleveland Clinic, delusional disorder has been defined as a type of mental health condition in which a person can’t tell what’s real from what’s imagined, an unshakable belief in something that’s untrue.

The research says there are many types of delusional disorders, including persecutory, jealous and grandiose.

Types of delusional disorder

• Erotomanic: This is where a person believes that another person, often someone famous or important is in love with them. They may attempt to contact the person of the delusion or start stalking them.
• Grandiose: A person with this disorder have an overinflated sense of self-worth, they may believe they have a great talent or have made an important discovery.
• Jealous: People with this type of disorder believe that their spouse or partner is unfaithful without any concrete evidence.
• Somatic: People with this type of disorder believe that they have a physical issue or medical problem, such as a parasite or bad odor.
• Mixed: People with this type of disorder have two or more types of delusions listed.

People with delusional disorder are more likely to suffer from depression, social isolation, legal issues- for example, staking or harassing the person with the delusion, and self-harm or harm to others.

Although there is no way to prevent delusional disorder, one can learn how to manage the symptoms by going for therapy.