Delusional disorder — MCQs

A 24-year-old woman presents with her husband to a physician with the complaints of fever, cough, and cold for the past 5 days. When the physician asks her if she has taken any medication for her symptoms, she answers, “My husband and I possess great powers to heal sickness. So I tried to cure my symptoms with my power. However, due to some divine cause, it did not work this time, so I thought I should seek medical advice”. Upon asking her husband about this, he says, "I have always had an immense ability to heal others through my powerful thoughts. It is only after I married her that she came to realize the powers within herself.” The physician examines her and prescribes appropriate medications for her symptoms. A year later, the woman presents again to the same physician with a cough and cold for 2 days. The physician asks her why did she not use her ‘power’ this time. She replies, “I separated from my husband 6 months ago, and I no longer believe that I nor my husband had any special power.” The woman denies any hallucinations, mood disturbances, and socio-occupational impairment to date. Which of the following conditions was this patient most likely suffering from?

A 44-year-old man is brought to the clinic by his wife insisting that her husband has been acting strange lately. He is a dentist by profession and has no known medical conditions. For the past 6 weeks, he has insisted on listening to the 6 PM news on the radio. He is adamant that the news anchor is referencing his life during the broadcasts. Apart from this, his wife states that her husband is fine. He and his wife deny the use of any prescribed medications or illicit drugs. He is a non-smoker and drinks alcohol only on social occasions. Physical examination and routine laboratory investigations are normal. What is the most likely diagnosis?

A 45-year-old man visits a psychiatrist with his wife asking for help with their ongoing family problem. The couple has been married for 20 years and the last 2 months the patient is fully convinced that his wife is cheating on him. He has hired numerous private investigators, who deny any such evidence for an extramarital affair. This persistent belief has begun to stress both sides of the family. The spouse has never in the past nor currently shown any evidence of infidelity. He is still able to hold a steady job and provide for his 2 children. Which of the following statements below is a diagnostic criterion for the above condition?

Two dizygotic twins present to the university clinic because they believe they are being poisoned through the school's cafeteria food. They have brought these concerns up in the past, but no other students or cafeteria staff support this belief. Both of them are average students with strong and weak subject areas as demonstrated by their course grade-books. They have no known medical conditions and are not known to abuse illicit substances. Which statement best describes the condition these patients have?

A 21-year-old woman is brought by her mother to a psychiatrist due to concerns about her behavior. The patient’s mother tells the psychiatrist that she believes that a famous Hollywood celebrity actor loves her and will marry her. When the patient is asked about this, she says that she attended a function at which this actor was the guest of honor six months back, and he waved his hand at her by which she understood that he loves her. However, when she tries to contact him over the phone, he does not respond, which she says is probably because he is too busy with his career at present. When asked why the successful actor would marry her, she says, “Celebrities often prefer to marry ordinary people and that is why he expressed his interest in me that day”. The patient is otherwise healthy with no known medical condition. She denies any mood disturbances, hallucinations, or anxiety. She is currently working as an assistant manager at a private advertising firm and has a normal socio-occupational life. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis in this patient?